Candidates interested in running for the Atlanta school board will need to file their election paperwork early next month if they want a chance to fill what could be a key swing seat.
The District 2 seat on the Atlanta Board of Education has been vacant since early this year, when Byron Amos resigned to run for Atlanta City Council.
An election to fill his unexpired term through 2021 will be held Sept. 17. If needed, a runoff election will take place Oct. 15.
Those interested in running must file paperwork at Atlanta City Hall during the qualifying period, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 8-10. The qualifying fee to run is $444.
The central Atlanta race already has attracted interest from seven prospective candidates who filed declarations of intention to accept campaign contributions, according to the City of Atlanta elections website.
Those are: Keisha Carey, who lost to Amos in a 2017 runoff election; Will Chandler; Paula Kupersmith; Chadd Jonesmith, Aretta Baldon, Davida Huntley and Nathaniel Dyer.
Whoever wins the election could be a critical swing vote on the board. In at least one instance since Amos’ departure, the board gridlocked in a 4-4 tie, an outcome that means the motion under consideration has failed.
Amos lost a runoff election for city council in April.
It will cost APS up to $550,000 to hold the special election, according to an April estimate.
Atlanta Board of Education District 2 election
Candidate qualifying period: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 8-10
Election date: Sept. 17
Runoff election (if needed): Oct. 15
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