Jan. 4, 2017 – West Bend, WI – There seems to be a little confusion regarding whether a primary election will be held next month in the West Bend School District. On Tuesday, it was reported on http://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com that seven candidates had filed papers to run for three seats on the West Bend School Board.
Those names were confirmed with the Deb Roensch, the executive assistant to the superintendent.
Later in the evening word spread one candidate backed out.
If there are only six candidates then a primary election is not necessary, however the question remains if someone did file papers by the 5 p.m. deadline do they still have to run or can they file non-candidacy and retract the papers.
Why the big stink? Because a primary election costs taxpayers money. If it’s not needed then there would be no expense as the seats would be determined during the regular Spring Election.
A call back is expected around 8 a.m. when the district office opens.
Also tonight at 5 p.m. is the drawing for the ballot order. Names are pulled out of a hat; that drawing is held at district office.
The seven candidates who turned in paperwork include Joel G. Ongert, incumbent Ryan Gieryn, Nancy Justman, Tina Hochstaetter, Richard Cammack, Bob Miller and Tonnie Schmidt.
Stay tuned.