With just a few days remaining to qualify as a candidate for Brookhaven or Lincoln County school boards, a former judge has thrown his hat in the ring as the sole contender for the county school board.

Joe Portrey — who has served as Post 1 Justice Court Judge in Lincoln County — submitted his qualifying statement of intent to run for the seat of District 5 to the Circuit Clerk’s Office on Tuesday.

Portrey, 64, is a long-time resident of the Loyd Star community.

If no one else qualifies prior to the deadline, Portrey will run uncontested for the seat that will be vacated at the end of December by Tim Cunningham. Cunningham leaves the post after one four-year term to focus on family and his full-time job as a physical therapist. The newly-elected trustee will serve a six-year term.

Current Brookhaven School Board trustee Erin W. Smith is the sole qualifier to-date for the at-large seat she has held since 2012.

The General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. The qualifying deadline for either school board seat is 5 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9.

Anyone registered voter in the City of Brookhaven can vote for a city board candidate. Anyone registered voter living in Lincoln County Educational District 5 can cast a vote for a candidate for the county school board’s open seat.

 

School board qualifications and responsibilities

According to the Mississippi School Boards Association, school board members:

• Must be residents and qualified electors of the school district they represent.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must complete initial and annual training.

Responsibilities include: approve and monitor the budget; establish district policies; build and close schools and facilities; and establish district vision and goals.

 

Other offices on the General Election ballot

• S. Representative, District 3 — Incumbent Michael Guest (R) will face challenger Shuwaski Young (D).
• Circuit Court Judges — Incumbents Michael Taylor and David Strong Jr. are running unopposed.
• Chancery Court Judge — Incumbent Joseph Durr is running unopposed.
• Election Commissioner, District 2 — This special election is for a one-year term to fill a vacancy. Qualifying period ends 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9.

 

For more information and paperwork on qualifying, visit the office of the Circuit Clerk on the second floor of the Lincoln County/Brookhaven Government Complex, or visit www.DustinBairfield.com.