Heckman seeks re-election

The 2020 school election will be held March 3, the same day as the preferential primary election, according to Pea Ridge School officials.

“The Pea Ridge School Election will be held on March 3, in conjunction with the Preferential Primary election, which was moved up from May in 2020, due to it being a presidential primary year,” according to Betsy Harrell, Benton County clerk.

The School Board voted last year to move school elections to May, an option that was offered by state officials to local school boards. Pea Ridge held its first May election this year on May 21.

The period to file as a school board candidate opened Nov. 4 and continues through noon Tuesday, Nov. 12.

All of the school districts in Benton County, except Bentonville, had previously chosen the primary date for their annual election, prior to the legislature voting last session to move the primary from May to March, according to Harrell.

Next year, being a nonprimary year, the school election date will move back to May.

The reason for tying School Elections to either the General Election or Preferential Primary date was ostensibly to increase voter turnout for the school elections, but now that it won’t be occurring the same time in consecutive years, we will have to do our best to get the word out to patrons so they’ll know when to go vote, Harrell said.

School board candidates must file a petition with 20 qualified signatures, a political practice pledge and an affidavit of eligibility. These forms are available in the Benton County Clerk’s office and on the county’s website at vote.bentoncountyar.gov.

Pea Ridge School Board consists of five members, each of whom serve five years. One seat becomes available for election every year. This year’s seat up for election is held by Ryan

Heckman, who filed Monday for re-election.

“Our district is in a transitional state, probably the most transition we’ve ever had,” Heckman said, adding that he’d like to “see that through — finish these building and people transitions and people being students and teachers.

“I believe I’ll be more effective and efficient on my second term,” he said, explaining that his experience in learning about the processes and funding mechanisms has increased his effectiveness.

Heckman, who was ran unopposed, said that having candidates in a race is a sign of an engaged community and he hopes qualified people do file for the position.

The deadline to register to vote for the annual School Election is Feb. 3.

Early voting is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays Feb. 18, through Feb. 29; from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays; and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2.