Board approves election canvas, appoints trustee and signs resolution asking county to run next year’s elections

The Manhattan School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the canvas of its May school election and took several governance steps during the meeting.

Courtney, the district clerk, presented certified results showing the district’s elementary general‑fund levy failed by 32 votes and the high‑school levy also failed overall when all precincts were combined, although some town precincts passed the measures. “The election administrator provided our certified results… we did not pass either of our levies,” Courtney said. The board then moved, seconded and approved the canvas of election results by voice vote.

The board also approved a resolution to recognize an uncontested trustee election by acclamation and appointed Skyler Dyama to fill a one‑year high‑school trustee vacancy. The board administered the oath of office to the appointee that evening.

On election administration, trustees voted to request that the county conduct the district’s elections next year, citing legal and logistical requirements — training of election judges, ADA accessibility (ES&S/ADA machines), ballot security and continuous staffing needed to accept ballots — and noting county administration is the common approach to preserve election integrity.

Votes at a glance (select motions approved):
- Consent agenda (minutes, warrants, payroll, operational items) — approved by voice vote.
- Canvas of school election results — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution recognizing trustee election by acclamation — approved by voice vote.
- Appointment of Skyler Dyama as high‑school trustee (one‑year term) — approved by voice vote.
- Resolution requesting the county run district elections in 2026–27 — approved by voice vote.

Next steps: the district will publish certified canvas details in district notices, notify affected precincts of levy results, and work with the county election administrator on next year’s logistics.