Those interested in running for election to local school boards with open seats or placing proposals on the May 4 election ballot have until the 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 9, deadline to turn petitions in to local county or township clerks offices.

Voters will decide who sits in the three open seats on the St. Ignace Board of Education during the May 4 election. Terms will expire for current board members Ann Massey and David Latva.

The seat currently held by Ronn Farr, which was Kathy Campbell's until she resigned September 14, will also expire this May.

St. Ignace Area Schools also expects to submit a proposal for an 11-year, 0.55 mill property tax to raise about $2.4 million for new buses, improvements to school technology, and the construction of a wood chip heating plant to reduce utility costs.

Two four-year terms are up for election on the Gros Cap School Board of Education, the seats currently held by Helen Graichen and Nicole Brown. Moran Township residents will also vote on renewing a two-year, 16.8734 mill property tax to help fund the school's operational costs. This tax rate, if passed by voters, would be levied on businesses and second homes in Moran Township.

Voters in the Les Cheneaux Community Schools district will decide on two open four-year terms on the school board. Terms for board members Carl McIntire and Marianne Coyne will expire this year.

Engadine Consolidated Schools has no seats up for election this May, owing to a recent board decision to change all school board terms to six years and changing the election cycle to November of even years. Superintendent Angie Mc- Arthur said the decision was made to help reduce costs by holding school elections with township, state, and federal elections in November. The next school board election in Engadine will be in November.

Voters will decide on one fouryear term for Mackinac Island Public School, where board member Sara Chambers' term is up.

Petitions for St. Ignace school positions can be picked up at the Mackinac County clerk's office. For Moran Township school, they are available at Moran Township Hall or at Gros Cap School. Les Cheneaux Community Schools petitions can be picked up and turned in at the school's main office and at the Clark Township clerk's office. For Engadine Consolidated Schools, pick up petitions at the Garfield Township clerk's office, and for Mackinac Island Public School at the Mackinac Island city clerk's office.

All petitions for ballot proposals across the county are also due at 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 9 at the county clerk's office, and the last day to file a petition to recall an elected official is Friday, January 29. The deadline to register for the May 4 election is April 5.