Our Voice: School district made costly mistake

A mistake in advertising school board elections will cost the Aberdeen Public School District thousands, and further erodes voter interest in off-year, local, nonpartisan voting.

The school district should have given a notice between Feb. 15 and March 1 of two school board vacancies. Had the district done that, the two seats would have been included on the June 4 municipal ballot.

Failing to do that means the school board vote will be held six weeks later, on July 16. The notices will have to be advertised twice from Monday to May 1.

The mistake will cost the district between $10,000 and $15,000, as well as force the city to pay a bit more for the cost of the election June 4.

And how many people will really come out to vote July 16 for two school board vacancies?

This was a costly mistake, in dollars and voter apathy.

— American News editorial board