In the race for Position 4 on the North River School Board, longtime board member Jim Banas looks to defend the seat from challenger Jan McDonald.

Banas declined to answer campaign questions via email from The Daily World. According to information he submitted in the Pacific County voter’s pamphlet, Banas is currently in his 17th year and fourth term serving on the North River School Board, during which he’s participated in multiple scholarship fundraising programs and worked 15 years as a substitute teacher.

In his career, Banas worked for two decades as a pilot in the Air Force and another 11 years as a civil engineer.

In a statement on the voter’s pamphlet, Banas wrote, “With your approval, I am looking to begin one more term on the North River School Board as it has been an honor to serve the community and the students in this position. Trying to do the right things and making the right decisions for the right reasons for our students, the overall community, the voters and taxpayers have been my overarching goals through the years. I will, if elected, continue to try to do my best on the board in our budget and policy responsibilities to the community and the students.”

McDonald did not provide campaign contact information through the Pacific County Auditor’s office, and did not submit any information to the voter’s pamphlet.

Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.