Reports show money raised, spent on Fayetteville School Board race

FAYETTEVILLE -- Two of the three candidates running for Zone 2 on the Fayetteville School Board have raised more than $1,400 for their campaigns, according to campaign finance reports.

Candidates who spend or receive at least $500 are required to file pre-election reports. All contributions of more than $50 and all expenditures greater than $100 must be listed. The reports were due Tuesday.

The annual school election is Sept. 15. Early voting continues from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and Monday in the county clerk's office in the Washington County Courthouse, 280 N. College Ave. in Fayetteville.

The Farmington, Prairie Grove and West Fork school boards also have contested school board races.

In the Fayetteville race, Phil Jones reported having raised $837.13, and Bob Maranto reported having raised $600 in pre-election campaign contribution and expenditure reports filed with the county clerk's office. The third candidate, Jeanne Champagne, didn't submit a pre-election report.

Jones said he intended to run a low-budget campaign, walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors, and donations to his campaign were unexpected.

Jones received $198 from retired Fayetteville Superintendent Bobby New and his wife, who still live in the city, and $200 from former State Board of Education member Brenda Gullett, also of Fayetteville, according to Jones' report.

"I never asked anybody for money," Jones said. "Their support comes out of long friendships with those families and the other families that have donated to me."

Contributions also are listed from Jones' wife, Janis, and Brooke Jones, no relation.

Jones' campaign expenses from July 7 through Sept. 7 totaled $189.13, with $30 going toward a campaign website and the rest for campaign business cards. His campaign had a balance of $648.

Maranto planned for a low-cost campaign and said he's uncomfortable asking for money. Gifts of money and time were accepted when offered, he said.

"We have a lot of people volunteering for us," Maranto said. "It's a really tough process. The neat thing about it, you meet some amazing people and you learn a lot about the town."

Four contributors each gave donations of $100: Tim and Julie Trivitt, Jeff and Gisela Erf, Karen Byers and Jim Johnson, according to Maranto's report.

Julie Trivitt, a clinical assistant professor of economics at the University of Arkansas, is Maranto's campaign treasurer. Gisela Erf is the Tyson endowed professor in avian immunology at the university.

Byers, a self-employed writer and editor, is a neighbor, and Johnson, a consultant, is a friend, Maranto said.

Maranto reported a loan of $1,000 for his campaign. The report shows Maranto's campaign spent $547.50 on yard signs and also had in-kind contributions from Maranto for office supplies and direct mailing services. His campaign had a balance of $1,052.50. The report covers a period from July 15 through Sept. 7.

Champagne has operated on a small budget and has spent less than $200 out of pocket, she said. She has received some campaign money within the last few days that she will file in a report due after the election.

Champagne said she and her team of volunteers have made about 600 phone calls.

"You do a lot of walking and a lot of talking," she said. "I have the support of people that are helping me hand out cards."

A Farmington School Board candidate also submitted a pre-election spending report. Wade Cash is running against incumbent Tony Parsley for Position 3 on the board.

He reported $828.64 in campaign expenses for yard signs and door hangers, according to the report that covers campaign finances from July 7 through Sept. 8. Cash did not report any receiving any money from supporters.

NW News on 09/11/2015