Time is running out for school board candidates to file

This is just a reminder. Time is running out for anyone interested in running for a seat on the Saline or Milan school boards.

The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Feb. 13 -- next Wednesday. Time to get on your horse!

Two seats are up on each board. In Saline, Lisa Slawson is running again, but Kim Van Hoek is not. In Milan, Mary Mehringer has thrown her hat in the ring again, but Dennis Albers last week announced that because of work commitments he was not up for another term.

The terms on the two school boards run from July 1 to June 30, 2012, with the election taking place May 6.

To run for school board, you must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the district and registered to vote. You need to collect between 40 and 100 signatures on a petition before filing with the Washtenaw County clerk or you can cough up a $100 filing fee.

Petitions may be picked up at district offices or the County Clerk's office. In Milan, applications are available at the central office at the high school and in Saline, petitions are available in the financial office on the second-floor of Union School.

This is a critical time for both districts. There are financial challenges to be met and both will be under the guidance of new superintendents come July 1.

These boards will not have an easy time the next few years and will have to make some tough decisions. Good people are needed.

Are you one?