Elected candidate Josh Grant declines Platteville School District board seat; district to solicit applicants

During the April 8 meeting, district staff reported unofficial school board election results showing three names on the ballot and three candidates elected, and explained Wisconsin write‑in rules and how 'scatterings' and provisional ballots are handled. Staff told the board that one person shown as elected, Josh Grant, submitted a letter to the district indicating he will decline the seat.

Staff said that, under state statute, new board terms begin on the fourth Monday of April and that a declination before that automatic start would create a vacancy. The district outlined a timeline for filling the seat: post the opening after the statutory date (the district office planned to broadcast the opening around April 27), accept applications for approximately two weeks (closing May 11), and interview finalists at the regular board meeting on May 13. If the board selects a finalist at that meeting, the board could swear in the replacement shortly after the meeting.

District staff explained the practical distinction between 'scatterings'—names written on ballots who did not file required write‑in paperwork before the deadline—and provisional ballots. They also noted the technical filing deadline for eligible write‑in candidates was the Friday before the election at noon. The board discussed whether to delay officer selection until the vacancy is filled; staff said officers are typically chosen at the May meeting and said they will check whether officer selection can legally be postponed.

No vote was required on April 8; staff will post the vacancy and return to the board with candidate interviews at the May 13 meeting.