Will enough candidates file for school boards?

A week before the deadline, a total of nine candidates have filed to fill several vacancies on each of Wayne County’s public school boards.

The deadline to submit filing paperwork is noon Thursday, June 20, at the Wayne County voter registration office in the Richmond courthouse.

The open seats are:

• Centerville-Abington — District A, C, D (at-large)
• Nettle Creek — District A, District C, two at-large seats 
• Northeastern — District B, C, D
• Richmond — District 1, 2, at-large 1 and 2 
• Western Wayne — District A, B, D (at-large)

Some new faces will be on the November ballot.

Kristophor A. “Kris” Bex has filed for Western Wayne’s District B. He is not currently on the board. Alan Austin (at-large) and Sarah Pennington (District B), who hold two of Western Wayne’s three seats on the fall ballot, said at the June board meeting that they aren’t running again. David Sturgis (District A) said he was still deciding.

Mike Banning filed for Nettle Creek’s District C to represent residents of Wayne and Henry counties. He isn’t currently on the board. Current officeholders whose terms end are Dan Davis (District A), David Moore (District C), and Sandra Schraub and Julie Blaase (at-large).

So far, Centerville has the most candidates. Three incumbents (Andy Wandersee, Renee Westover and Todd Duke) have filed to run again. They serve districts A, C and D, respectively.

Shawntel Baker filed to run again for Northeastern’s District D. The Knights’ District B is currently served by Keith Webster.

Incumbent Nicole Stults filed for Richmond Community Schools’ District 1, and newly appointed member Austin Brann filed for District 2. Seats currently held by John Weber and Aaron Stevens also are on the ballot.

For more information about candidate opportunities, call 765-973-9304, email voters@co.wayne.in.us or visit the voter registration office on the second floor of Wayne County’s courthouse, 301 E. Main St., Richmond. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays.  Voter registration is closed Wednesday, June 19, for the federal Juneteenth holiday.

Voter registration ends Oct. 7 to cast a ballot in the fall election.