Published: February 22, 2008 04:55 pm            

6 Greater Clark County school board positions in county are up in May

Earlier this month, Greater Clark County Schools board member Ernie Gilbert was running for another term unopposed.

Now, he has at least two people running against him.

During that time, allegations from 10 years ago about misconduct with students were leaked to the media. Gilbert’s attorney, Larry Wilder, called the timing politically motivated, saying someone out there was trying to get people to run against Gilbert.

This is just one of the many issues the board has had to deal with in the past year.

Other issues at GCCS include the funding shortfall in the JHS athletic department and the board firing a team of architects, who were more than $200,000 into the design process of a new high school in Charlestown.

Four of the seven board positions are up for election this year. Bill Densford, who represents District 7, is not seeking another term.

The other three positions are up for re-election in 2010.

Meanwhile, Bennett is seeking the republican nomination for state superintendent of public instruction.

Bennett, a former administrator at New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corp., was named superintendent at GCCS in June.

Suellen Reed has served as the state superintendent since 1992. Earlier this week, the republican was quoted by The Associated Press as saying she was unsure she would seek another term.

At West Clark Community Schools, all board positions are elected at-large. In the May 6 primary, the community will select two board members. The incumbents Celia Adams-Winters and Sandra Furnish Banet, board president, are seeking re-election. Three other people are running against them.

Clarksville Community Schools’ board election is in the fall.



School board candidate filings

• Note: Incumbents denoted by * symbol

• A few people filed right before the noon deadline. Their names were not available by press deadline.



Greater Clark County Schools

District 2

Ernie Gilbert *

James Wesp

Richard Sawyer



District 5

Thomas Long Sr.

L. William (Bill) Halter II *

Christina Gilkey



District 6

Jerry White

Robbie Valentine *

Olivia Hanley



District 7

Charles Neal

Becka Christensen



West Clark Community Schools

At Large (2 seats)

Gene Stinson

Joe Basham

Celia Adams-Winters *

Sandra Furnish Banet *

Darren Harris

        

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