Whitnall School District draws ballot order for April school board election

Whitnall School District staff held a public drawing to determine the order of candidates on the April school board ballot; district staff announced the final order as Rachel Shear first, Don Geiger second, Jesse Stokowiak third, Cassie Rayner fourth and Joseph Herkman fifth.

Brady Ranke, a district staff member who conducted the drawing, said, "We have 5 candidates, fill out paperwork to be on the ballot for the April election," and explained that folded name slips would be placed into a bowl and drawn to set the ballot order. Present to witness the process were Adam Henkel, director of curriculum and instruction; Brenda Lintsa, communications coordinator; Jennifer Rogers, executive assistant; and Alicia Shaw, the district's board clerk, who drew the slips from the bowl.

Ranke and the witnesses confirmed five folded entries in the bowl and verified the count before the draw. Alicia Shaw pulled names in sequence; the district announced the first three names as Rachel Shear, Don Geiger and (recorded with an inconsistent spelling in the transcript) Jesse Stokowiak, followed by Cassie Rayner and Joseph Herkman to complete the five-position order.

The drawing was described by the district as conducted "in accordance with the statutes." Ranke closed the proceeding by thanking those present and encouraging voter engagement, saying, "We look forward to you engaging in the election process." The record provided does not specify the calendar date or time the drawing occurred beyond that it was held ahead of the April election.

The district did not record any vote or motion on the drawing; the procedure was presented as a ministerial action to establish ballot order under applicable statute. Candidates named on the ballot were identified in the record as Don Geiger, Cassie Rayner, Rachel Shear, Jesse Stokowiak and Joseph Herkman. The district indicated no further action was taken during the session.