The election for Highlands School Board may, in part, serve as a referendum on the district’s recently elevated superintendent.

In the contested primary in Region 3, incumbent board member Michelle Peters praises Superintendent Monique Mawhinney as having a “great vision” for the district.

Challenger Laura Butler believes Mawhinney is not qualified for the job and says the district needs to find a new leader.

Kristie Babinsack, meanwhile, hasn’t decided.

The three women are all cross-filed on both party ballots for two seats representing the region on the nine-member school board.

Peters was appointed to the board in February 2018 to replace Ryan Hanford and is seeking election for the first time. She had unsuccessfully sought election to the board twice before.

Babinsack had been an applicant for the same vacancy; Butler has never sought elected office before.

Peters is the only incumbent running in Region 3, which consists of most of Harrison. Board member Heath Cohen is not on the primary ballot; he did not respond to a request for comment as to why he apparently is not seeking re-election.

Races in the district’s two other regions are uncontested in the primary. Incumbent Judy Wisner and Gene Witt are the candidates for two seats in Region 1; Kelli Canonge is the only candidate for one seat in Region 2. All are cross-filed.

In addition to Cohen, board member Michael Masarik is not on the primary ballot for Region 1, and member Jeff Mundy is not on the ballot for Region 2. They also did not respond to requests for comment.

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