There are no school board candidate elections on the November ballot for the Sonoita or Patagonia school districts, as the candidates that did throw their hats into the ring for vacant seats were all running unopposed. 

For the Sonoita School District, which oversees the Elgin School, new board members Aaron Thomas and Dave Naugle will join returning board members Harry Dotson, Tony Fennell and Nancy Webster in January. The Sonoita Board is the only one in the area to have a full complement of members. 

The Patagonia High School District Board will be operating with four members—Brandon Doles, Joe Haas, Ron Pitt and Paula Schaper—starting in January, with one vacant seat that Patagonia Superintendent Kenny Hayes would like to see filled. This district includes Patagonia, Sonoita and Elgin.

The Patagonia Elementary School District Board, which oversees the Patagonia Elementary School, will have only two members—Nancy McCoy and Marilyn Miller—starting in January if no one steps up to fill the remaining three available seats.

“We can do it with only two people,” Hayes said. But he described it as less than ideal, as fewer people are making decisions that affect the entire district. Logistically, it can be difficult, he noted, saying, “Those two people can never talk to each other ever because of open meeting laws.” 

Hayes encourages residents to apply to be on the high school or elementary school boards, as new school board members can be appointed. “Serving the public schools of the region is one of the more fulfilling ways to give back to your community,” Hayes said. 

Anyone who is considering serving on a school board “needs to contact the County School Superintendent’s office and let them know they are interested,” Hayes said. “They need to write a page on why they are interested in being on the governing board. If they are interested, or have questions, they can reach out to me. I can be their middleman with the County if they would like, as well.” 

School boards typically meet once a month. Board duties include hiring the school superintendent, creating policies, and approving the school budget.