Filing period closes for school board candidates

Three contested races will highlight the slate of 11 county school board vacancies to appear on the Nov. 8 election ballot.

North Putnam will feature contests in two of four races appearing on the 2016 ballot, with a pair of incumbents facing challenges.

With Mark Hoke seeking his third term as the at-large board member, he faces a challenge this time around from newcomer William Buescher.

The term is not up on the at-large position until the end of 2017.

Russell Township will feature a rematch of the 2012 race. Four years ago, it was upstart Darrell Wiatt taking 70 percent of the vote.

Now the challenger, Jacquelyn Simpson looks to take the seat back from Wiatt.

The other two open North Putnam seats are uncontested, with newcomers Amber Greene filed in Franklin Township and Dustin Osborne in Monroe Township.

Current members Jill Summerlot (Franklin) and Jim Bowling (Monroe) are not seeking additional terms.

The other contested race will be in the South Putnam district, where longtime Marion Township board member Steve Cash is facing a challenge for the first time in several election cycles.

Hollie Hutcheson filed paperwork on Friday to oppose Cash for the seat.

Incumbents Angela Nichols (Washington Township) and Anthony Heavin (at-large) are unopposed in their re-election bids.

Heavin's term does not expire until the end of 2017.

Cloverdale School Board has just one candidate for three at-large positions in Cloverdale Township.

Donna Fidler will seek another term on the board, but neither Chris Mann nor Rob Schroer will be on the ballot. Mann had filed paperwork initially, but withdrew it before the deadline.

With no one on the ballot for the positions, Mann and Schroer could simply continue serving unless they choose to resign.

Additionally, JaceAnn Troutt filed to seek the Jackson Township, Owen County, position on the Cloverdale School Board.

With no information available Friday from the Owen County Voter Registration Office, it is unclear if anyone else, including incumbent Bobbi Nees, filed candidate paperwork.