ADAMS TWP — While many of the Mars School Board candidates are incumbents, the newcomers on the ballot are recognizable.

One is William Pettigrew, the longtime Mars superintendent.

Three others are Amy Nassif, Michelle Obid and Patrice Tomcik, who are among the leaders of the Mars parent group that considers gas drilling and fracking an industrial activity that is unsafe near the 3,300 students in the district.

They have worked for more than a year to prevent unconventional gas drilling near the district’s five school buildings.

Pettigrew was superintendent of the district for 24 years before retiring at the end of 2013.

He came back to the job in October as acting superintendent after his replacement, Jim Budzilek, resigned for a job in the private sector.

Pettigrew will once again vacate the job this summer, when new superintendent Wesley Shipley takes over.

Pettigrew of Adams Township said, “I have always wanted to be on the school board, even before retiring.”

If elected, he will not try to run the district from his seat as one of a nine-member board.

“This is not an extension of the superintendent (position) from Dr. Pettigrew. This is Dr. Pettigrew the school board member,” he said. “I know the difference, and I would know my place in my new role.”

In addition to working to continue certain programs in the district, Pettigrew said he would like to initiate ideas he cannot present as superintendent.

“They are mostly services for students in technology and curriculum,” Pettigrew said.

He also wants to continue the board’s commitment to prudent spending.

Regarding the controversy over the nearby unconventional gas wells planned for the Bob and Kim Geyer property on Denny Road, Pettigrew said, “As far as drilling and the controversy, I think that as long as (well operations) meet safety requirements of the (state Department of Environmental Protection), I don’t have any problem at all with that drilling going on. But I want to make sure that all safety precautions are going on.”

Pettigrew summed up his decision to run for school board after almost a quarter century at the district’s helm.

“The main reason I’m running is that I want to see the Mars School District continue to grow and prosper,” he said.

The three other newcomers on the ballot are familiar names in the community because they have worked for more than a year to prevent unconventional gas drilling near school buildings.

When asked about their intentions as school board members regarding drilling, Nassif and Tomcik pointed to their answers on an Eagle questionnaire sent to all eight candidates for the five board seats. The questionnaires and answers will be published in May ahead of the primary election.

Nassif and Tomcik did not mention the unconventional gas drilling issue in their answers, but Obid touched on the matter Thursday in her answer to the question on whether the drilling issue is her reason for running.

Obid said the drilling issue is not her motivation for running, adding the board has no say on where unconventional gas drilling takes place.

“They are, however, responsible for our children’s’ safety,” Obid said in an e-mail.

“I expect and hold the school board accountable for having tried emergency plans as relates to all risks the children maybe subjected to while in the care of the school.”

Nassif said on the election questionnaire she is running to represent the community and play an active role in ensuring the Mars educational system provides students with the opportunities for a successful future.

Nassif also wants to maintain low taxes and serve as a strong voice for education if elected to the school board.

Tomcik said on the questionnaire she is running for the board so she can take an active role in moving the district forward and take education to an exceptional level of learning. She also wants to provide the students with the tools they need to have the competitive edge in the global environment.

Tomcik said she is committed to quality education, transparency and fiscal responsibility as a school board member.

Obid also said the school board should be a balanced representation of the growing community. She also wants to foster a culture of educational excellence at Mars, and wants students to receive the best education possible for the tax dollars spent.

Incumbents Bonnie Weaver, Rebecca Brown, Steve Boggs and John Kennedy are running for re-election in the May 19 primary election.