The ballot has been set for school board races in districts across Jackson County.

The deadline to file was noon Friday, and a number of races will take place for the Nov. 6 general election.

There’s a three-way race for two of the Seymour city at-large seats for the Seymour Community School Corp. board of trustees.

Nancy Franke was first elected in 2010 and will seek re-election and face off against Joe Tormoehlen and Reuben Cummings.

The two who receive the most votes will earn a seat on the board. Stu Silver, who served for 12½ years, decided against filing for re-election.

Cummings said he and his wife, Robin, who is a teacher at Seymour High School, have always lived in Seymour, graduated from Seymour High School and have children that have or will graduate there.

He said that perspective gives him an opportunity to bring an even better education for all grade levels.

“I want to help provide an even better K though 12 experience for future generations and increase the recognition of the value of a Seymour High School diploma,” he said.

Cummings also owns and operates his business, GF Consulting, which helps local governments with budgeting and other financial services.

He thinks that can be valuable for the school corporation.

“I understand the efficiencies and inefficiencies that both assist and hinder local government needs,” he said. “I hope to share my experience with local personnel in a manner that will assist students, teachers and administrators to provide the very best school possible.”

Tormoehlen said he has always been passionate about education and has considered running before. With a recent retirement from Beatty Insurance, he feels he has the time to dedicate to the board.

“I believe that many of my life experiences have prepared me to be an effective board member,” he said, adding he has been a partner in two small businesses and has had four children graduate from Seymour High School.

He said he would approach the school board ready to learn from other members who have served previous terms.

“I will rely on current board members’ advice and any training available to learn all I can to be an effective board member,” he said.

Tormoehlen said the most important task is to hire the highest quality educators to bring the best education possible to students.

Incumbents John Kelley and Max Klosterman will seek re-election and are unopposed. Kelley represents Redding Township, while Klosterman represents Washington Township.

Voters in Crothersville will have two races on the ballot this fall, including a three-way race for the District 3 seat held by Ralph Hillenburg, who is seeking re-election.

Former educator Becky Butler and Tiffany Reynolds will challenge Hillenburg for the seat.

Butler said she decided to run because of her love of Crothersville. A lifelong resident, she graduated from Crothersville High School and taught at Crothersville Elementary School for 34 years. The last nine years were spent as the Title I program coordinator, which serves low-income students.

“I feel my experience as an educator would be beneficial in decisions made at the board level,” she said.

“I truly feel that our small school has a lot to offer the kids in our community. I feel being a board member would allow me to continue to be a part of the success of Crothersville Community Schools.”

Butler said she would like to see the board promote the school system in such a way that would make it a “school of choice” like other schools have done.

“Other schools send out fliers promoting their schools to other communities,” she said. “I feel this has taken students away from Crothersville. Why can’t we do the same?”

Reynolds said she has 20 years of management experience that will help guide her on the board if elected.

She also wants to see some programs like art, choir, band, technology and advanced foreign language classes return to the junior-senior high school.

“If a student wants to take any of these classes, they are required to take a bus to another school in another county,” she said. “I would love to see the board find a way to help bring a variety of class options back to our students.”

Reynolds said she plans to be the voice for her constituents if elected and will encourage the community to be involved.

“I will make sure the ideas and opinions of our community are encouraged and considered in the process of making changes that will impact our students,” she said. “If I am elected to the board, it will be because the community can trust my voice will be their voice.”

Carly Blevins will challenge incumbent Linda Luedeman for the District 2 seat.

James Land is unopposed for the District 5 seat, which is held by Robert Spicer, who decided not to seek re-election.

There are two seats up for election in Medora, and incumbents Larry Osborn and Darrell Persinger will not be challenged on their re-election bids.

Brownstown school board members are not elected but appointed by townships and the town council.

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Ballot for school board races in Jackson County

Crothersville Community School Corp.

District 2

Carly Blevins

Linda Luedeman*

District 3

Becky Butler

Ralph Hillenburg*

Tiffany Reynolds

District 5

James Land

Medora Community School Corp.

Larry Osborn*

Darrell Persinger*

Seymour Community School Corp.

At large (choose two)

Reuben Cummings

Nancy Franke*

Joe Tormoehlen

Redding Township

John Kelley*

Washington Township

Max Klosterman*

*Incumbent

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