The Mat-Su election may be over, but the final shape of the school board is still in limbo.

One day before the Mat-Su Borough’s Nov. 7 election, School Board Member Jacob Butcher vacated his seat after a move out of state. Butcher was elected to the board last year and his term was not set to expire until 2025.

Announcement of the vacancy came on the same day borough residents voted to reelect two conservative school board members – Ole Larson and Kathy McCollum. Butcher was part of the school board’s conservative majority.

His vacant seat will need to be filled by a legally qualified Mat-Su voter who resides in District 5 – an area that encompasses Big Lake to Point Mackenzie. The deadline to apply for the seat is Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 12 p.m.

Candidates will be interviewed by the School Board during a public meeting on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. Following the interviews, the sitting school board members will select the new member, who will immediately be sworn in and expected to attend the Dec. 6 regular meeting.

School board member duties include preparing for and attending twice monthly meetings and occasional special meetings, studying all material presented with the agenda prior to attending meetings, participating in the discussion of any items that come before the board, voting on motions and resolutions and being prepared and willing to devote a sufficient amount of time to the issues.

TAKING ACTION

— Click here to fill out an application to serve on the school board.

— For more information, call 907-746-9272 or email stacy.escobedo@matsuk12.us.

— Click here to see a map of District 5.

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