School boards to feature only three contests

Out of 11 potentially contested positions on Putnam County school boards in the Nov. 8 election, six candidates will be unopposed, while two other ballot slots are completely unfilled.

The three contested races feature incumbent board members facing challengers for their seats.

In the South Putnam district, longtime Marion Township board member Steve Cash is facing a challenge for the first time in several election cycles.

First-time candidate Hollie Hutcheson is seeking to unseat Cash.

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.

Voters in Jefferson, Marion, Warren and Washington townships are eligible to vote in the South Putnam election, regardless of the candidate’s township.

North Putnam will feature contests in two of four races appearing on the ballot.

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 from Jacquelyn Simpson.

Now the challenger, Simpson looks to take back the seat she held from 2007-12.

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

Current members Jill Summerlot (Franklin) and Jim Bowling (Monroe) did not seek additional terms.

All four North Putnam races will appear on ballots in Clinton, Floyd, Franklin, Jackson, Monroe and Russell townships.

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.

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

At that point, it would likely be up to the other board members to choose replacements.

Additionally, JaceAnn Troutt is running for the Jackson Township, Owen County, position on the Cloverdale School Board currently occupied by Bobbi Nees, who did not file.

Voters in Cloverdale Township as well as Jackson, Jennings and Taylor townships in Owen County will have the Cloverdale School Board positions on their ballots.