The two seats are being vacated by Molly Ingold and Thomas Bline.

Bline decided not to run for re-election this year. Ingold said she was not interested in running for re-election to her four-year term but decided instead to run for the two years left on the unexpired term to which Tim Carr was appointed earlier this year.

Carr also is running to retain his seat.

Ingold said she initially didn't plan to run in this election. After re-evaluating her situation, she said, the district is in a transition period, having hired a new superintendent, and she wants "to continue to provide continuity and leadership" for the next two years.

She said the district still faces some issues, such as increasing the graduation rate and many things to do in the building program.

She said the schools have a great teaching staff and a great non-teaching staff, and she wants to be part of getting them recognized for their accomplishments, mentioning helping the district achieve an "effective" status in the state's annual report card.

"They work hard to get our students educated, and I'd like to see the report card reflect all the hard work they do to educate our students," she said.

Carr said he, too, would like to serve the two remaining years on the term vacated by Karen Kreager earlier this year. Carr said there's a lot of unfinished work to do, and he's enjoyed his 10 months, "feeling like an advocate for the kids and the people."

"It's nice to be a voice for 6,200 kids and their parents and the community," he said.

He said the school district needs to continue to be fiscally responsible, even with the spring passage of an additional 7.5 mills for five years to meet emergency requirements. Estimates show the money could keep the district from deficit spending for the next three to four years, but Carr asked if the district could be creative and make it last longer.

He also said the district needs to think about the renewal of the income tax levy now and start to think about restructuring it, to ensure no retirement benefits are taxed and seniors don't have to pay for it.

He said he intends to help improve educational opportunities for students and give them the tools they need to succeed, also helping to improve the district's graduation rate.

Ingold is from Columbus and has lived in Newark since 1977. She is vice president of administrative services for Hospice of Central Ohio and has served on the school board for six years.

Carr has lived in Newark since 1999 and is pastor of Northside Baptist Church. He was appointed to Kreager's seat when she resigned.

Two other candidates are running unopposed for two opening seats: Beverly Niccum and Daniel Bybee.

Niccum said she wanted to run for public office to give back to her community.

"I want to be a part of the team that builds upon our successes and finds solutions to our short comings," she said.

She said the main issues the district faces in the next four years are improving the graduation rate, encouraging parental involvement and building a Newark City Schools "brand."

"We need to create a reputation for excellence by increasing communication, improving guest service and improving the graduation rate," she said. "The school district, students, parents and community members must join together to encourage and empower our students."

Niccum is from Hebron and has lived in Newark for 17 years. She is a presentation team leader for Target. Though she has never held a public office, she is in her fourth year as the Parent Teacher Organization president for John Clem Elementary School and was the redistricting co-chair and levy co-chair for the district this year.

Bybee has lived in Newark for 15 years and is a division manager for State Farm Insurance. He said he's never run for public office but decided to run because he wants all students to have a good experience in the district.

"I think the school system here in Newark could be improved," he said. "My daughter graduated last year, and she had a great experience. I want to make sure other kids have the same opportunity."

Bybee said there are several things he would like to address if elected, such as the graduation rate, saying several students in his daughter's class didn't graduate. He also wants to investigate other sources of funding for schools, mentioning federal and state grants and foundation funds from local companies.

Newark schools are in a transition phase, he said, with a new superintendent, a new athletics director, a new treasurer and a fairly new high school principal. He said this provides the district with an opportunity to change and move forward, continuing with its positive momentum.

Molly Ingold

Tim Carr