Early voting continues in board races

Early voting continues today before Tuesday’s school board elections.

Northwest Arkansas has nine races for board seats in eight school districts. Residents may vote early today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at county clerk offices in Bentonville, Rogers and Siloam Springs for Benton County and in Fayetteville for Washington County.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Benton County will have six voting centers open, and Washington County will have four.

Early voting started Tuesday. As of Friday afternoon, 161 people had voted early in Washington County’s four board races, and 158 people had voted in Benton County’s five board races, according to the county clerk’s offices.

Fayetteville and Rogers are the area’s largest school districts with a board race.

Dwight Gonzales is challenging three-term incumbent Tim Hudson in Fayetteville’s Zone 5 race. In Rogers’ Zone 4, Aaron Cash is going against Amy Horn, who is seeking her second term.

In Siloam Springs, Travis Jackson and Bobby Reed are competing for the Zone 5 seat. Jackson was appointed to the board in August to fill the seat left vacant when Brent Butler resigned. The winner of the race serves the remainder of Butler’s term, which expires in 2020.

In Pea Ridge, board President John Dye is pursuing his second term. Mindy Cawthon is challenging him for his Position 4 seat.

In Prairie Grove, Matt Hargis, Harley Hunt and Brian Walker are competing for the Position 3 seat. One will replace Jerry Coyle, who opted not to seek re-election after 10 years on the board.

In Elkins, Donnie Warren is challenging board President Bryan Delozier for the Position 2 seat. Delozier has served since 2004.

In West Fork, Duchess Allen and Amanda Harderson are vying for the Position 2 seat. Board President Brad Hardin, who holds the seat, isn’t running for re-election.

In Gentry, five candidates are seeking two seats. Coye Cripps, who’s served since 2007, faces challengers Melissa Holland and Larry Scribner in the Position 6 race. Incumbent Gary Dunlap faces Michael Battenfield for the Zone 1 seat.