Candidates who wish to run for numerous positions – including Vermilion County school board seats – started filing their petitions at the Vermilion County Clerk’s Office or Danville Election Commission this morning (November 12, 2024). One person who is not running for re-election is Dr. Randal Ashton, the current president of the Danville District 118 School Board. Ashton says he is proud of the programs that were implemented during his service to help students. And he hopes such programs will continue.
Ashton, (on right in photo with Superintendent Alisha Geddis), became the new District 118 School Board president in April of 2021 replacing Bill Dobbles. Dobbles had led the board for the previous twelve years. Ashton served as board president from 2007 until 2009. Dr. Ashton has served as a member of the Danville District 118 Board of Education since April of 2005.
In the summer of 2023, Ashton commented as the school board agreed to extend four separate programs providing extra support to relieve stress for both students and staff members. The District paid for the programs primarily with money it received because of the COVID pandemic. Ashton noted then that the funding source was not going to be around much longer. “We have a lot of programs in place. It’s a luxury we have at the moment,” said Ashton. “We get to see what works and doesn’t work. I hope we’re able to continue (these programs) forever. But I think in reality we’re going to have some hard choices in the next five years,” said Ashton at a July, 2023 Board meeting.
Candidates lined-up early today for next Spring’s Consolidated Election . Those who were standing in line at 8:00 a.m. who are running for the same office will have their name placed in a lottery to determine ballot position. The filing period for candidates runs through 5:00 p.m. on November 18th at the County Clerks Office. Candidates who file with the Danville Board of Election Commissioners have until 4:30 p.m. on November 18th to turn in their petitions.
Township Offices, City/Village Offices, Library District Trustees, Township and Municipal Trustees, Park District Commissioners or Trustees, Community College District Trustees, Fire Protection District Trustees, and Township Land Commissioners file with their local election official (Clerk or Secretary).
