Below is an overview of the proposed budgets, other propositions and board of education candidates on the ballots in Tuesday's school elections for local school districts:

Moravia Central School District

Polling: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the district office conference room in the Middle/High School, 68 S. Main St., Moravia.

Proposed budget: $20,210,730 -- +8.9%

Estimated tax levy: $6,404,393 -- +3.5%

Ballot propositions:

* Powers Library

$25,000 to support Powers Library.

* Buses

Purchase two 65-passenger school buses at an estimated cost not to exceed $211,000.

School board candidates (two seats, three-year terms):

Catherine (Cathy) Benson

Age: 41

Resides: Locke

Family: I am married to John Benson Jr. and have two children, my son Chandler, 13, and my daughter Makenna, 11.

Elected offices held: none

Why did you decide to run?

I am running for a position on the Moravia Central School Board because I feel it is important to be involved with the educational system that is responsible for the development of our children. Our school is the center of our community and our children’s involvement and positive experiences, in both school and community events, enhances their growth. My two children, Chandler and Makenna, have inspired me and influenced my decision to run for my first elected position...

What are the top three priorities for the district?

I can only speak for myself and my concerns at this time.

* Maintain a high level of academia

* Capital improvements to our facilities. It is important that our children have a safe and adequate learning environment.

Terry Lamphier

Age: 65

Resides: Locke

Family: Terry and her husband Steve have six children, all graduates of MCS and 11 grandchildren.

Elected offices held: I have been on the Moravia Board of Education for 10 years, two as the president.

Why did you decide to run?

I care about what happens to the youth in our community. I enjoy being involved at what goes on at MCS. The board of education needs a mixture of old and new members. I would like to see the building project through to the finish. We have a new superintendent starting in July and I would like to be there to see her off to a great start.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Getting the best education that we can get for our children, which includes keeping all students in school to graduate, which is a pre-k through 12 effort with our staff. Getting the state aid for our school that we need to keep all our courses for students of all needs.

* Safety

* Building project

Laura J. Wells

Age: 44

Resides: Village of Moravia

Family: Husband Paul, children Joseph, Jacob and Autumn

Elected Offices held: Board of education, one term

Why did you decide to run?

My reasons for seeking a second term on the school board include my continued dedication to the education of all children; my intention to serve my community to the best of my ability; my commitment to be a positive role model for my children and my belief that it takes a community to raise a child. I feel my presence on the board has made a positive impact and I am very interested in continuing to serve my community, its businesses and especially its future, the children.

What are the top three priorities for the district:

* To continue to achieve the task of educating each student to reach their fullest potential.

* To continue to maintain and improve upon our programs as we move forward into an uncertain financial future.

* Completion of the capital project which is improving the facilities that we maintain for both our students and the community.




Jordan-Elbridge Central School District

Polling: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the high school, 5721 Hamilton Road, Jordan

Proposed budget: $27,237,540 - + 1.77 percent

Estimated tax levy: $8,395,729 - + 0 percent

Ballot propositions:

* School buses

Purchase six 70-passenger school buses for a cost not to exceed $615,000 and to use up to $200,000 from bus capital reserve.

* Establish reserve fund

Create an Operations Equipment Capital Reserve with a five-year term with a not-to-exceed $250,000 funding level.

* Libraries

$45,000 to support the Elbridge Free Library; $50,000 to support the Jordan Bramley Library.

School board candidates (three seats, three-year terms)

S. Keith Chilson

Age: 56

Resides: Town of Elbridge

Family: My wife Sandy, three adult children, and five grandchildren.

Elected offices held: NA

Why did you decide to run?

I am a second generation resident and graduate of the Jordan-Elbridge School District. I worked in the facilities department with four local school districts for the past 33 years. I retired this past September from Jordan-Elbridge where I was employed as the superintendent of buildings and grounds for over five years. I have always felt that facilities was a very important part in educating our children. I still feel a deep commitment to the community, district and seeing that our children receive a quality education.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* I have always felt that keeping teachers in the classroom is the best way to make sure our children receive the best education. I would like to see all cost cutting measures explored before we cut teaching positions.

* I would like to make accountability a priority.

* Improve the percentage of children graduating on time.

Connie Drake

Age: 44

Resides: Town of Elbridge

Family: Husband Matt and two children, Emily, 10, and Amelya, 2.

Elected offices held: None.

Why did you decide to run?

I decided to run because this is a very difficult time for us all. I feel that being a taxpayer, business owner and parent will enable me to look at issues at hand with many perspectives. My main priority is to ensure that our children get the very best education in these difficult times.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Academic excellence for our children.

* Fiscal accountability and responsibility for our taxpayers.

* Accurate communication to the residents of the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District.

Penny L. Feeney

Age: 46

Resides: Village of Jordan

Family: My daughter Hannah is currently in 11th grade and my son Sam is currently in third grade. They both attend school in the Jordan-Elbridge Central School District

Elected offices held: I have served two terms on the J-E school board.

Why did you decide to run?

I chose to run in this election for the same reasons I have always run in the past elections: I've been a member of this community for 30 years and care deeply about this district. My passion for education comes from my 23 years of work in the field of early childhood. I want to ensure that the children in our community receive the best education possible.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Continue to increase and improve student achievement.

* Continue to strive for improved communication throughout the district; board of education needs to continue to work at ways to communicate effectively with the community.

* To plan carefully and strategically for an uncertain financial future.

Erica O'Brien

Age: 55

Resides: Jordan

Family: Husband Tom; son Conner, 16, a junior at J-E, daughter Annalea, 11, fifth grader at Ramsdell Elementary School.

Elected offices held: Served on the school board for six years.

Why did you decide to run?

I have always loved being part of this community and felt I wanted to give back in some way. I started out with the PTA, served on numerous committees throughout the school district as well as the town and village, and then felt I wanted to do more, so that is when I initially ran for school board and served two terms ... I feel my experience as former board member will be a major asset as I could step into the position without having to learn the complexities of the job and the workings of the school district. I have always been dedicated to the Jordan-Elbridge community - my husband and I chose to move here and raise our family!! We are committed to THIS town, THIS community and the Jordan-Elbridge School District.

What do you see as the top three priorities for the district?

* Providing the best education possible for all the children in the community.

* Being fiscally responsible to the community, where everyone, in one way or another, is affected by the current financial crisis.

* Communication.




Union Springs Central School District

Polling: Noon to 9 p.m. in the Union Springs Middle/High School, 239 Cayuga St., Union Springs.

Proposed budget: $17,781,635 - +1.39 percent

Estimated tax levy: $7,200,281 - +0.5 percent

Ballot propositions:

* Library

$49,500 to support the Springport Free Library.

School board candidates (three seats; three-year terms)

John E. Greer

Age: 55

Resides: Village of Cayuga

Family: Married to Cheryl (24 years); daughter Mackenzie, a senior in college living in Boston, Mass. and son Marshall, a junior at Union Springs Central School District and also attends Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES.

Elected offices held: Village of Cayuga Village Board Trustee. Ran two times and was elected two times, 1992 and 1994. USCS Board of Education. Elected in 2002 for a one-year term, elected in 2003 and 2006 to three-year terms.

Why did you decide to run?

Because I wanted to use my seven years of board experience to continue to work with my fellow board members, Superintendent Linda Rice, and the administrative team to make the Union Springs Central School District the best district we can for our community while working within our voter approved budgets.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* To be an active representative on the board of education for students and district taxpayers.

* To work with the board of education, administration, teachers and staff to continue to offer the best educational program for our students while being fiscally responsible to our district residents.

* To continue working with the administration to examine ways to become more cost-efficient district in these uncertain and difficult economic times.

Carol Quill

Age: 51

Resides: Town of Aurelius

Family: Married to Timothy Quill, four children: Timothy, Elizabeth, Christopher and Stephanie

Elected offices held: I have been on the Union Springs Board for 21 years. I am a special education teacher in the North Rose-Wolcott School District. I serve on a variety of committees, and I am currently the district kindergarten representative.

Why did you decide to run?

I feel that having continuity on the board is important for long-range planning. I am very supportive of the efforts of our superintendent and our administration and with the economic concerns that all districts are facing I feel that my experience on the board will be beneficial.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* We continually strive to increase student achievement, and look at how to provide the best program possible.

* We will be moving forward with renovations to the Stone School House, and continue to look at how to improve technology throughout our district.

* With the difficult economic times, we continue to scrutinize our spending, and look at alternative funding sources, and strive to provide a budget that meets the needs of students and the community.

Thomas M. Weaver Sr.

Age: 50

Resides: Scipio

Family: Wife Beth and six children.

Elected offices held: Union Springs Board of Education for 10 years; served two years as vice president and three years as president.

Why did you decide to run?

I think I've continued to stay active with the school district and the school board because I think over the last several years we've done a lot of good things. We continue to hold taxes in line, spending in line, and I'm trying to convince some of our politicians that we need to start creating jobs for the kids we are educating. I look at the students we're educating as an investment, and we're not protecting our investment because we have no real jobs for these students to go to when they graduate or graduate from college.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* The cost of education is on the increase and the aid is decreasing and the mandates are increasing.

* The only thing I really struggle with is having the taxpayers paying for education and educating students, and other states and other areas are reaping the rewards from what we're paying for educating our kids because we have nothing here for them in terms of jobs or opportunities.




Weedsport Central School District

Polling: Noon to 9 p.m. in the voting room, Weedsport Jr.-Sr. High School, 2821 E. Brutus St., Weedsport.

Proposed budget: $17,645,454 -- +3.5 percent

Estimated tax levy: $6,607,136 -- +1.9 percent

Ballot Propositions:

* School buses

Purchase one 65-passenger school bus at a cost not to exceed $110,000.

* Library

Approve Weedsport Free Library's tax levy of $51,500, which is an increase of 3 percent from 2008-09.

School board candidate (one seat, five-year terms)

Mark R. Mietz

Age: 49

Resides: Weedsport, WCS graduate 1978.

Family: Wife Kathleen (Streeter) Mietz, WCS Class of 1980; son John, 21, graduated WCS 2006 and is a junior at SUNY Oswego; son Craig, 18, will be graduating 2009 and is enrolled at St. John Fisher College starting this fall.

Elected offices held: With the Weedsport Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years and elected to the following line officers positions: lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and also elected to administrative positions as fire recorder, member of the board of trustees, and member of the board of wardens. I have been on the board of directors with the Cayuga County Youth Organization (CCYO) since 1998 to present. I was elected president of the Weedsport Warrior Sports Booster Club and have held this position since 2002 to present.

Why did you decide to run?

Weedsport is one of the finest learning institutions in central New York. This is the reason my parents chose to move here years ago, and why my wife and I chose to stay here to raise our family. I'm a far cry from being a politician, but with my years working and volunteering within the Weedsport community, I've had plenty of opportunities to talk with and understand what our taxpayers and alumnus expect from our school system. I would like the opportunity to continue to see it through.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Raise student achievement.

* Improve integration of technology for student benefit.

* Encourage and promote programs while being fiscally responsible.

Tim Lally

Age: 46

Resides: Weedsport

Family: Wife Laureen Lally, teacher in the WCS district; daughter Jordan, 12, in sixth grade and son Eric, 9, in third grade.

Elected offices held: No elected positions, but I have had the following community service experience: Weedsport Free Library Board of Trustees, Jan. 2002-Jan. 2008 with services as vice president in 2003 and treasurer from 2004-08; Cub Scout den leader 2005-present; parent volunteer in elementary school 2001-04 and Twin County Soccer League coach 2004-present.

Why did you decide to run?

I am, right now, at a good point in my life to consider taking on the demands of serving on the School Board. My children still have many years left in the school system and my connections to our community have grown strong over the many years I have lived here. I#'ve also developed skills in my professional work that I feel would be of great benefit. But it is really the desire to see greater accountability and transparency that is my primary motivator. I believe that the challenges in the coming years will only grow. I want to do my part to help our community emerge even stronger through these difficult times.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Provide high quality academic programs.

* Fiscal restraint.

* Informed and transparent decision-making.




Cato-Meridian Central School District

Polling: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Cato-Meridian Middle School foyer, 2851 Route 370, Meridian.

Proposed budget: $18,682,142 - + 2.31 percent

Estimated tax levy: $5,161,882 - + 2.9 percent

Ballot propositions:

* Buses

Purchase three school buses at a cost not to exceed $210,000.

School board candidates (three seats, three-year terms):

Scott L. Ford

Age: 35

Resides: Town of Ira

Family: My wife's name is Janet and we have been married for 10 years. We have three children who all are enrolled in the Cato-Meridian Central School District.

Elected offices held: none

Why did you decide to run?

I decided to run for school board because I would like to help our district to keep moving forward and to help ensure the best education for our children.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* I feel the top priority for the district is our children's education.

* A balanced budget.

* To try to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary spending.

Todd Kacur

Age: 50

Resides: Town of Conquest

Family: Wife Jeanne; two daughters, one attending middle school and the other in the high school, both in Cato-Meridian Central School District.

Elected offices held: Assistant treasurer, Red Creek Teachers Association

Why did you decide to run?

My reason for running for a board of education seat is to offer my experience and insight from the perspective of a secondary educator, as well as that of a parent with school-aged children, to enhance the district so that all students may reach their academic potential for success in the 21st century.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* I would like to keep the school district moving forward with the progress it has made in recent years towards being financially sound for the foreseeable future, while being fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.

* I hope to work with district administrators and teachers to foster an academic learning environment that only accepts excellence as its achievement outcome.

* I am looking forward to working with the newly selected school superintendent, Noel Patterson, a former peer and current principal of Red Creek High School, to continue the educational strengths exhibited by the elementary and middle schools, while moving the high school forward as it continues to strive for academic excellence.

Michael Lees

Age: 42

Resides: Town of Cato

Family: Wife Laurie Lees; sons Daniel, 18, senior at CMCS High School and Matthew, 16, sophomore at CMCS High School; daughters Rachael, 13, seventh grade at CMCS Middle School and Vanessa, 3.

Elected offices held: Cato-Meridian School Board, one term.

Why did you decide to run?

As a school board member for the past three years, I feel we have made progress, including: hiring a director of technology to put in place a solid technology foundation; hiring our current high school principal, Danielle Mahoney, who we are hopeful will be with us for many years so stability in that position can be achieved and the high school program can excel and flourish; reconfiguration and promotion of internal staff in our operational department that has resulted in a more efficient and better maintained facility; the passage and successful completion of our Excel I project and the recent passage of our Excel II project which provided needed upgrades to our facility while minimizing the local tax burden; the hiring of Mr. Noel Patterson for the superintendent position, soon to be vacated by the retiring Mrs. Bobo. I decided to run again to assist the board in building upon these successes as we work towards greater achievements for our school...

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Improve our student's academic performance and encourage growth of individual talents.

* Demonstrate commitment to the community through open communication and collaboration.

* Evaluate cost efficiency and maintain fiscal stability.




Auburn Enlarged City School District

Polling: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Casey Park, Owasco and Seward elementary schools and East and West middle schools depending on residence

Proposed budget: $66,447,313 - + 0.84 percent

Estimated tax levy: $25,775,309 - +1.3 percent

Ballot propositions:

* School buses

Purchase one 42-passenger/2-wheelchair school bus, one 66-passenger school bus, two seven-passenger vans and three 4x4 3/4 ton pickup trucks with plows for a cost not to exceed $310,000

School board candidates (three seats, three-year terms):

William Andre

Age: 46

Resides: Auburn

Family: Wife Christine, children Adrian, Brandi, William, Jeffery, Elise and Stephanie.

Elected offices held: Former Auburn school board member, three terms.

Why did you decide to run?

I still have the passion to take part in making Auburn schools highly successful.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Grad and drop out rates

* Attendance rates

* Preparing students for life after school

Merritt Fletcher

Age: 58

Resides: Auburn

Family: Father, two brothers, two sons, two grandchildren.

Elected offices held: None since school.

Why did you decide to run?

I can only facilitate change from within. Plus, numerous citizens asked me to run again.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Morale

* Diversity

* Testing

Sam Giangreco

Age: 59

Resides: Auburn

Family: Wife Sheila; six children Tracy, Carene, Susie, Heather, Mandi and Kevin; 10 grandchildren.

Elected offices held: Auburn school board member for four years; currently board vice president

Why did you decide to run?

Because I care deeply about our kids' futures and success, and hope that their success will find its way back to Auburn. I also love Auburn very much, and believe good schools attract people to live in this beautiful area. I want to see success across the board in all areas of our educational system.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Realizing the district's goals.

* Providing a great learning atmosphere.

* Increasing the graduation rate.

Ernest E. Hyde III

Age: 43

Resides: Auburn

Family: Married for 22 years to Rebecca; 10 children: Ernest Hyde IV, Cheryl, Kimberly, Robert, Brittany, Corey, Steven, Richard, Verronica and Vincent.

Elected offices held: I haven't held any elected positions, I have run a bowling league for two years and have been elected and held the position of secretary in a bowling league for four years, and been voted in as vice president in a bowling league

Why did you decide to run?

I'm a parent with children in each level of the schools in the district and a taxpayer. I feel I can bring some great ideas to this district, reason being is I listen to the public and hear their concerns and I know I will try my hardest to do what is right for all children and the taxpayers in this district. The district is making some strides to make this district a place where people would love to come and settle down and have their children go to the schools in this district, but there is still more work to do. We need to make sure that we always think about the children first as well as the taxpayers, because if we don't have either one of them, we don't have a school district.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Education.

* Taxes.

* Drop-out rate.

Joseph M. Leogrande

Age: 56

Resides: Auburn

Family: Daughter Alexandra, 19; son Joseph, 17; wife Cathy, and two cats, Friday and Torre Jr. (TJ)

Elected offices held: Auburn/Cayuga NAACP secretary; Auburn Human Rights Commissioner; was City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Commission member and then chairman; Auburn Board of Education, one term.

Why did you decide to run?

Many school district residents and employees told me I am doing an excellent job representing them, their families and students, and asked me to run to continue to represent constituents.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Improving the graduation rate

* Keeping taxes down

* Hiring excellent minority employees

Tom Ryan

Age: 18

Resides: Owasco

Family: Parents Mark and Donna Ryan.

Elected offices held: Sophomore class president.

Why did you decide to run?

I decided to run because I believe the school board needs a voice directly from Auburn High. I've experienced the high points and struggles the school district has to offer the past 13 years. I feel the pain and pleasure of everyone within that school. I know what it's like to have to sit with 30 other students in a single classroom. If elected to the board, I would bring the positive change we need to the schools to benefit the teachers and students.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Keeping teachers' jobs in the school system.

* Providing a better learning environment for the students.

* Conserving energy within the schools.




Port Byron Central School District

Polling: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., high school large group instruction room, 30 Maple Ave., Port Byron.

Proposed budget: $18,381,057 - +1.59 percent

Estimated tax levy: $5,584,737 - +1.24 percent

Ballot propositions:

* School buses

Purchase two 65/66-passenger buses for a cost of $216,000

* Library

$43,000 to support the Port Byron Library.

School board candidates (three seats, two three-year terms, one one-year term):

Maralee Hare

Age: 57

Resides: Throop

Family: Husband David, a grown son Matthew and wife Amanda, granddaughter Brynn.

Elected offices held: Former Port Byron board member, nine years; represents Port Byron on Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES board.

Why did you decide to run?

When our friend Roxie Smith passed away, I saw a need for service.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* To continue to improve educational opportunities for our students.

* To plan ahead for predicted further declining enrollments by downsizing through attrition and hiring dually certified staff.

* To continue to search for ways to collaborate with other municipalities to provide services.

Melinda M. Quanbeck

Age: 44

Resides: Town of Throop

Family: I am married to Erik Quanbeck and have three children. Tyler is a freshman at St. John Fisher College. Austin is a junior and Kaylee is in the eighth grade at Port Byron.

Elected offices held: Finishing up my third term (ninth year) on the school board. I have served four years as president and one year as vice president.

Why did you decide to run?

I am seeking another term because we have made a lot of positive changes in our school district and I would like to continue on that path. The school, community and staff are working together to improve education for all our children while remaining fiscally responsible. We have increased educational opportunities while reducing staff when appropriate. The outcome has been a better education while keeping expenses in check.

What are the top three priorities for the district?

* Dealing with the drop in student population in our district.

* Realizing that our community can not afford large tax increases and we have to find ways to educate our children with limited resources.

* Although scores are increasing, there is still much to be done to insure that every student graduates with the opportunity to succeed.

Joseph Verdi

Age: 31

Resides: Montezuma

Family: Wife Patty and three children, Kourtney, Rose and Kloe

Elected offices held: Port Byron school board member

Why did you decide to run?

I have enjoyed the challenge and successes of working with the board and teachers of the Port Byron school district on my first term and look forward to continuing that progress.

What are the top three priorities of the district?

* Provide the educational opportunities to promote further growth and success in our local children.

* In today's economic climate, it is a major concern to see that the district is as efficient as possible to provide consistent budgets while meeting all state mandated plans.

* Making sure that our facility is well maintained and preserved for longevity is an important part of the district.




Skaneateles Central School District

Polling: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Waterman Elementary auditorium, 55 East St., Skaneateles.

Proposed budget: $29,231,236 - + 4.7 percent

Estimated tax levy: $20,499,801 - + 3.05 percent

Ballot propositions:

* School buses

Purchase two school buses and digital camera systems at cost not to exceed $223,000.

School board candidates (three seats, three-year terms)

Michael Card

Age: 54

Resides: Town of Skaneateles

Family: Wife Peg and three children, Kelli, Kati and Kris, all graduates of SCS.

Elected offices held: SCS school board, five terms.

Why did you decide to run?

To continue working with one of the best teams in education. To be more creative in sharing and consolidating resources between schools, towns and villages. To help provide every tool available for our students to be successful, now and after graduation. To implement a budget that is acceptable and supportive for our taxpayers.

What are the district's top three priorities?

* Raising the level of academic achievement.

* Lowering the tax levy.

* Lowering the budget.

Kate Cogswell

Age: declined

Resides: Skaneateles

Family: My husband, Walter Benson, and four school-aged children.

Elected offices held: Two prior terms on the Skaneateles school board.

Why did you decide to run?

Over the next few years, the district will more acutely face the challenge of providing quality academics to our students while maintaining fiscal discipline. I would like to be part of the decision-making process and work on solutions. In our district, there is very capable leadership, a positive board, dedicated staff and an engaged and supportive community.

What are the district's top three priorities?

* Maintaining high academic standards for all of our students.

* Keeping our students safe.

* Minimizing the burden on the taxpayers.

Evan Dreyfuss

Age: 45

Resides: Village of Skaneateles

Family: Wife Elizabeth and three children ages 6, 3 and 1.

Elected offices held: Skaneateles Board of Education (2006).

Why did you decide to run?

I have three young children that are either in school now or will be shortly. Education is the foundation for a strong and flourishing community. In addition, school taxes are the largest component of property taxes and must be carefully monitored.

What are the districts' top three priorities?

* We must maintain the quality of our educational programs.

* We need to be fiscally prudent given expected future state aid declines amid a very difficult economic environment for our residents.

* Complete and finish our project 2007 renovations (State Street/ athletic field) on time and under budget.




Southern Cayuga Central School District

Polling: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the planetarium, 2384 Route 34B, Poplar Ridge.

Proposed budget: $16,515,886 - +0.87 percent

Estimated tax levy: $6,805,610 - +1 percent

Ballot Propositions:

* School buses

Purchase of school buses at a maximum estimated cost of not exceeding $318,500.

* Library

Increase funding from $30,000 to $33,000 to support the Aurora Free Library and Hazard Library.

* Establish reserve fund

Create a Capital Reserve Fund with a five-year term and a not-to-exceed $1.5 million funding level. Authorize the board of education to pay into the fund in the 2009-10 school year and annually thereafter district money in an amount determined by the board not to exceed $300,000 per year.

School board candidate (two seats, three-year terms)

Lisa Killian

Age: 48

Resides: Scipio

Family: Spouse Doug and children Ryan, 16, and Michael, 13.

Elected offices held: None.

Why did you decide to run?

I was approached by a few community members and asked to consider running. Ultimately, my decision came down to the importance I place on the children in our community. They are the future of this community, and I feel that it's our responsibility as parents and community members to do what is in the best interest of our children. I can contribute to this process by being a part of the Southern Cayuga Board of Education.

What are the district's top three priorities?

* Quality education.

* Fiscal responsibility.

* Community involvement and commitment.

Bruce R. Kopp

Age: 50

Resides: King Ferry

Family: Wife Carin, daughters Jessie, 12, Emily, 11, and Catherine, 8.

Elected offices held: Massachusetts Condominium Trust Board.

Why did you decide to run?

As a graduate of Southern Cayuga, I had an excellent education in our school district. With our three children in school now, I want to ensure that students in our community are given the same level of academic excellence to prepare for their future. I also want to participate in changing the tone and operational model between the board and administrative team. The board needs to set policy and foster cooperation amongst all stakeholders in our community. Finally, I am interested in bringing new ideas and a business approach to the school district operation.

What are the district's top three priorities?

* Provide outstanding educational programming for students balanced with fiscal responsibility.

* Recognition that the educational model as we know it today may change. Ensure that our board of education provides the proactive leadership in directing effective changes for our community.

* Promote school board functioning as a policy-making body and delegate administration to school staff.