Candidates who want to run for school board elections in Branch County on the Tuesday, Nov. 3 ballot must file qualification papers by 4 p.m. next Tuesday, July 21.
Two districts will elect boards that must face needed improvements at aging schools and possible bond elections.
Coldwater Community Schools
Voters in the Coldwater district rejected a proposed $64 million school bond by 55.4% in the May election; the bond would have funded renovations and upgrades at Coldwater High School, a building more than 70 years old.
That marked the third time in five years that a district bond request failed.
Seats up for election:
Board President Dr. Edward Lake, who served 25 years, Vice President Jeffrey Holbrook, who served 16 years, and Secretary Clair Dean, who also served since 2010, have seats up for election.
Dean is the only incumbent who has filed for re-election.
Six others filed paperwork. Those include:
Lake and Holbrook are not seeking re-election.
Quincy Community Schools
Quincy’s plan to modernize aging facilities hit a major roadblock when voters in May rejected a $60 million bond proposal by 70.5%.
The proposal would have funded renovations, facility upgrades, and new construction projects, including replacing most of the 95-year-old middle school, improving learning spaces, and gym spaces.
The board argued the work was needed to address long-standing infrastructure concerns.
Seats up for election:
President Brian Preston, Vice President Tim Miller, and Trustee Erin Veysey.
Preston and Miller qualified for re-election.
Veysey was out of town and not available for comment.
Bronson Community Schools
After falling short in a previous election, Bronson Community Schools won voter approval for a $29.9 million bond proposal in November 2025, passing by just 53 votes.
The plan includes expanding and modernizing Anderson Elementary, consolidating K-5 students into a single building, adding a new gymnasium and a larger cafeteria, upgrading classrooms, and constructing a new eight-lane track at the high school.
Work on the stadium, track, and parking lots is underway.
Seats up for election:
Vice President Tyson Franks, Treasurer Erica Norton, and Trustee Jose Albarran.
Only Norton has qualified for re-election.
Frank Barker, appointed this summer to replace Jordon Houtz, is running to fill the last two years of Houtz’s term.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Branch County school board hopefuls face July deadline
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
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By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
