ADAMS TWP — Change is on the horizon in the Mars School District, with only one of five incumbents choosing to seek re-election in May.

Nine newcomers will vie for those open positions, each offering varied backgrounds and outlooks on the future direction of the district. That future includes major renovation projects, discussions about district leadership and ongoing funding challenges.

Current board members Steven Boggs, Rebecca Brown, John Kennedy, William Pettigrew and Bonnie Weaver will see their terms expire this year, having all won their seats in 2015. Only Kennedy will seek re-election.

Challenging him are Jill Ceasar, Anthony DePretis, Kevin Hagen, Tricia Holland, Megan Lenz, John Neurohr, Jill Roda, Bill Sommers and Sallie Wick.

At least four new members are guaranteed a spot on the board, joining incumbents Rita Dorsch, Dayle Ferguson, Gordon Marburger and Christine Valenta. Those individuals won seats in 2017, and would face re-election in 2021. Ferguson, who serves as president, has already indicated that she does not intend to run again, nor does she wish to serve as president after the current school year.

Because of the impending change, the current board opted in January to approve Superintendent Wesley Shipley's contract for just one year. At the time, Ferguson said the board couldn't “in good faith for what's best for the future of this school district make a long-term commitment to the chief executive.” Shipley's contract runs through June 30, 2020.

Those who win seats will also be faced with shrinking state contributions to the district's budget, which officials said must rely heavily on the local tax base. Although there is no tax increase projected for the upcoming year, the current budget included a 2.4 mill increase to bridge a $1.5 million deficit. Officials said the 2019-20 budget has a similar deficit that will be made up through new development in the area as well as money from the district's fund balance.

Budget discussions have also led to further conversations about school security and staffing issues, both of which are addressed in next year's budget, officials said.

This is occurring as the district undertakes a $14.6 million project to renovate the 50-year-old middle school. The project is currently out to bid, with contracts expected to be awarded later this month and work beginning as soon as students leave for the summer break.

Other work is also needed at other district buildings, with the board recently voting to restructure bonds to pay for the most urgent projects.

With a number of decisions to be made in the coming year, candidates for the board are focusing on what they believe to be the most pressing issues. The Butler Eagle asked each candidate to identify the biggest issue the district faces. Their abridged responses can be found here.