Published: April 26, 2008 08:11 pm            

Issues attract myriad of candidates in several races for Greater Clark County School Corp. board

With a $99 million building project under way and $2.5 million being cut from next year’s budget that may cost some teachers their jobs, the Greater Clark County School Corp. has been making headlines and the school board election is no exception.

This year, 14 people filed to run for four positions and 13 of those remain in the race, which will be decided on May 6.

The last time seats were up for election was in 2006. Then, according to News and Tribune reports, six people were vying for three seats.

“The number of people running for election this year is surprising,” Bob McEwen, board president, said. “The school board hasn’t seen this much action before.”

“As a person who has been in public education since 1991, I have seen races of all types, where there have been uncontested races and those with multiple candidates,” Superintendent Tony Bennett said. “I have learned from those instances there is no ordinary.”

McEwen said he believes interest in the school board was spurred by the building project.

“I think that’s what got people’s attention on what’s going on with the school board,” he said. “The board has been very active in the last eight or so years and that’s going to make some people happy and others not. Also, the amount of money in savings has dwindled and I think that’s another reason people have an interest in running.”

That savings, which in 2002 was near $21 million, is sitting at a little more than $10.3 million. Bennett said that is due to lost interest on funds from property taxes when they are collected late by the county, reduced state funding and more educational expenses and programs.

The fiscal situation was something many candidates addressed on their question and answer surveys, which were published in the News and Tribune and are available on-line. Another recurrent topic they mentioned is the corporation’s high schools’ graduation rates. Those ranged from 69.5 percent at Jeffersonville High School to 81.5 percent at New Washington High School. In each of those surveys, candidates talked about what they hope to do if elected to increase those rates as well as handle other issues.

“I think there’s a lot of very good candidates running, so I encourage everyone to go out there and do their homework and vote,” McEwen said.



GREATER CLARK SEATS

DISTRICT 2

*Ernie Gilbert

Richard Sawyer

James (”Jim”) Wesp

DISTRICT 5

Christina Gilkey

*L. William (”Bill”) Halter II

Thomas Long, Sr.

Stacy Wiese

DISTRICT 6

Robert Burgan

Olivia Hanley

*Robbie Valentine

Jerry White

DISTRICT 7

Rebecca Christensen

Charles Neal

(incumbent Bill Densford is not seeking re-election)

* Denotes incumbent



MORE ONLINE

• Visit newsandtribune.com to see candidates’ biographies and answers to readers’ questions.



TIME TO VOTE NOW

Unlike many other races, school board races do not take into account party affiliation. Therefore, those vying for the spots do not have to win the primary to go to the election. That means voters pick the final school board winners May 6. It doesn’t matter which district a resident lives in, that person can vote for one candidate from each district.



INSIDE

• Questionnaires for GCCS District 6 candidates, PAGES A9-14

        

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