When candidate qualifying for the November 3 election begins next week, there will be plenty of interest to see who files to run for the three Washington Parish School Board seats that will be open.
Term limits will force three veteran members off of the school board. So there will be at least three new board members when the new School Board is sworn in early in 2027.
Leaving the board at the end of this year are Bruce Brown of District 3, Robert Boone of District 5, and board president Lesley McKinley of District 9.
There are nine board members total, and the other six board members are eligible to run for re-election if they choose to.
Brown’s District 3 is located just north of Franklinton, running up to the Mississippi line. Boone, of District 5, represents a large swath of eastern Washington Parish, going all the way from the Mississippi border down to the Bogalusa School District boundary. And McKinley has District 9, which includes Angie and Varnado, as well as surrounding areas.
While several people have expressed interest in the three seats that will be open, no one has formally announced their candidacy yet. And other incumbent school board members could possibly face opponents in the November 3 election, or even decline to seek another term.
With the Washington Parish School System facing financial challenges in the immediate future, no one can deny that whoever wins the nine school board seats on November 3 will have their work cut out for them.
The original qualifying dates of July 29, 30, and 31 have been changed. The new qualifying dates are August 5, 6, and 7.
In addition to the Washington Parish School Board seats on the November 3 ballot, there will also be a large number of other elective positions to be voted on.
All 12 Judges in the 22nd Judicial District will be up for election. At least one judgeship, that of William H. Burris of Franklinton, will be open. Burris was elected to the state Supreme Count in a special election earlier this year.
District Attorney Collin Sims will also be on the ballot for another term.
A 1st District Public Service Commissioner will be elected.
All Washington Parish constable and justice of the peace positions are up for election.
Voters will also choose a U.S. Senator, and nominate a Republican and a Democratic candidate for the 5th Congressional District election in December.
Also on the ballot will be:
•A millage renewal for Fire District 2.
•10 Constitutional Amendments.
•Bogalusa mayor, city court judge, and city marshal.
•All 7 members of the Bogalusa School Board.
