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WOODSFIELD -- Four candidates are seeking two seats on the Switzerland of Ohio Board of Education when voters head to the polls on Tuesday.
The candidates are incumbent Jerry Gust, Ken Darby, Kenneth Phillips and Janice Tenley.
Board members Sarah Smith and Gust currently hold the available positions.
Smith is not running for reelection this year.
During a recent candidate forum, Tenley said she has lived in Monroe County most of her life. She is a member of the Monroe County Autism Committee, president of the River Elementary PTO, and is active with the Monroe Central track team.
Tenley said two of her children attend River Elementary in the district, which gives her a vested interest in the operations of the schools.
"I just feel like it's time for a little bit of a change, that maybe somebody local could give a perspective to the school board that people that are sort of outside making decisions for us don't really have the insight as someone local would," she said.
Phillips has two children, both of whom are teachers, and he has worked for the district for 38 years. He said he has been a teacher, principal of numerous schools in the district, transportation director, cafeteria supervisor, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
Gust said he has been a board member for the past four years and hopes to be reelected to continue to support the students, staff members and taxpayers in the district.
"I've got great determination to help these people," he added.
Darby, an electrical engineer, said he is running to help take care of his "home."
"You take care of your home, your yard, your street. You can help your neighbor and then your town, community. Right now, my home has been SOLSD. I want what's best for all of us. ... Our school district is very unique; we're very rural and spread out. I think we need to capitalize on that and make people realize it's a great place to live and we have a bunch of great people that live here," he said.
Other contested races in Monroe County include:
Adams Township trustee -- Three people -- Tim Dierkes, Timothy Ollom and Thomas Rouse -- are vying for two seats.
Benton Township trustee -- Two seats are available, with three people on the ballot. They are Michael Cisler, Bruce Haught and David Hensel.
Bethel Township trustee -- Roger Kuhn, Dana Parks and Rodney Weckbacher are running for two open seats.
Center Township trustee -- Running for two open seats are Charles Brooks, David Speelman and Douglas Yontz.
Franklin Township trustee -- Three people are also seeking two available spots in Franklin Township. They include Cliff Delong, Donald Hogue and Charles WInland.
Jackson Township trustee -- Vying for two open seats are Albert Clutter, Ronnie Conley and Billy Thompson.
Lee Township trustee -- Five people are seeking two open seats. They include Brad Boggs, Terry McPeek, Jesse Merckly, Larry Stewart Jr. and Stone Thompson. Also in Lee Township, voters are asked to approve a 1-mill, five-year replacement levy for cemetery operations.
Malaga Township trustee -- Five candidates are seeking to fill two open spots. They are Trae Fogle, Jerry Hossman, Joey Lang, Dennis Ward and Tim Woodell. No candidates filed to run for the four open seats on Malaga Village Council.
Ohio Township trustee -- Three people would like to be the next two trustees. Candidates include Rodney Nething, Joe Pyles and Donald Riggenbach.
Salem Township trustee -- Running for two open seats are Jason Dietrich, John Miller, Shannon Pirl and Marty Winkler.
Seneca Township trustee -- Three candidates -- Timothy Carpenter, David Dixon and Bradly Snyder -- are seeking two open seats.
Summit Township trustee -- Vying for two open seats are Brad Dimmerling, Rob Dimmerling and Kevin Nalley. No candidates filed to run for four seats on Lewisville Village Council.
Sunsbury Township trustee -- George Hoover, Matthew Milhoan and Ernie VanDyne are vying for two open positions. No candidates filed for open seats on Beallsville, Wilson and Jerusalem village councils.
Washington Township trustee -- Larry Gardener, Keith Knowlton and Brad Loch are seeking two open seats.
Wayne Township trustee -- Five candidates are seeking two open seats. They include Derek Bright, Carl Davis, Steven Lucas, Clayton Weddle and Jimmy Williams.