School board members are not paid.
The three incumbents who chose not to seek re-election are Arnold Jansen, Kenneth Rhoe and Pam Ott.
The two incumbents running are Joan E. Okeefe and Daniel Fisher. The challengers are Patricia Fridgen, Charles McClain, Teresa Rainey, Michael Shindle and G. William Thorne.
Daniel Fisher, 48, of 2135 Castlegreen Drive, was appointed to the school board to replace Jill Patterson.
Fisher is president of D.L. Martin Co. of Mercersburg, Pa.
He said his concern for students and his experience running a company would be an asset on the school board.
He said he has two children in school, a sophomore and a senior.
"I really do see the school district as an important business," he said. "There is a lot of pressure on the taxpayers. I can bring a business perspective and fiscal responsibility to the board."
Patricia Fridgen, 49, of 576 Shannon Drive North, is a stay-at-home mother of five children who is taking her first stab at politics.
Fridgen said she has been very involved with the schools over the years, including "PTA at every level." "I have a sense of what's going on in the buildings and the education programs," she said.
She said voters should nominate her for the general election because she is "approachable. I will listen to people and work to make the board more friendly to the public."
Charles McClain, 47, of 4225 Fletcher Drive, is the director of the Regional Printing Institute and a teacher at James Rumsey Technical Institute in Hedgesville, W.Va.
While he is a political novice, he said his background in management in printing companies for 20 years, plus his experience as a teacher, qualifies him for a seat on the school board.
He said voters should consider his nomination because "as a teacher, I have perspective. I can bring a lot to the board."
Joan E. Okeefe, 49, of 12 Apple Drive, has served on the board for eight years.
She said she is a customer service representative with more than 20 years' experience in computers in the business world.
Okeefe said her eight years' experience on the school board qualifies her for four more years.
Her two children graduated from district schools.
"I'm there for one reason only, and that's for the children," she said. "My pay is handing out diplomas to graduates."
Okeefe said voters should consider her and her board experience.
"It takes two years just to get up to full power and understand all the red tape," she said.
Teresa Rainey, 34, of 2250 Castlegreen Drive, is a stay-at-home mom. She has five children, ages 9 months to 12 years.
This is her first run at politics.
She has a degree in physics, "so I'm not afraid of numbers and data analysis. I know my way around a balance sheet and I'm detail-oriented," she said. These qualities would make her a valuable board member, she said.
"I represent a lot of families who are interested in the schools and that's why people should vote for me."
"The schools are good now, but we'd like to see them better," she said. "Our community is growing and we have to make sure we're prepared."
Michael Shindle, 41, of 4439 Williamson Road, is the only one of the seven candidates who hasn't cross-filed.
He said he has served and is serving on numerous boards and associations, including the local baseball association. He ran the Greencastle Little League and is president of the Greencastle-Antrim High School Wrestling Boosters Club.
He said his experience also includes his position in the Penn State Mont Alto campus maintenance department for 19 years.
"I have a good background in school construction," he said.
Voters should consider him because he's a local school graduate. "I think I know what local people want," he said.
G. William Thorne, 53, of 168 S. Washington St., is a local dentist. He, too, is running for the first time.
He said his experience managing a business for 24 years qualifies him for a seat on the board. He has also served on the board of the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce and the ARC of Franklin and Fulton counties.
"I think I could do very well because of my experiences," he said.
He said he's running to "give something back to the community. It's not something that I'm seeking for myself."
