Voters within the Butler School District have seven candidates from which to choose in this month's primary election.

Those seven candidates are running for just five seats on the school board.

Nina Teff, Jennifer Cummings, Suzie Bradrick, Mary Waggoner and Bill Halle are all running for reelection, and they're facing two challengers: Jennifer Daniels-Wells and Eva Robinson.

All but Halle cross-filed on both Republican and Democrat tickets. Therefore, only registered Republicans will have all seven to pick between. Democrats will have the other six only.

The top five vote-getters from each party will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. It is possible that all seven will make it to that ballot, as a candidate needs only to place in the top five in one party's results to make it through.

The winning five will take their seats in December.

Residence: ButlerEducation: Bachelor of Arts from University of Pittsburgh in sociology with an emphasis in nonprofit management.Occupation: Stay-at-home mother; incumbent, school board.Family: Husband and two children.Top issue: She considers money the biggest issue facing the district and points out that federal and state mandates cost money, but is proud the district presently has a balanced budget. She said the district's tax base is shrinking, and believes leaders need to think outside the box. She wants to be an advocate for education in general and strongly believes that starts with her hometown and district of Butler.

Residence: Center TownshipEducation: Bachelor's degree from Juniata College; teaching certificate from Edinboro University; master's degree and additional study from University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut.Occupation: Business owner for over 20 years; retired teacher, Butler School District and two other districts; incumbent, school board.Family: Husband, Mike, and two daughters.Top issue: She considers meeting the unique needs of the district's diverse student body as the biggest challenge and opportunity facing Butler schools, and highlights the need for personalized, academically-rigorous learning. She feels the district needs to embrace community partnerships and technical education, with an emphasis on partnering with businesses and manufacturers. She believes in a safe and nurturing environment.

Residence: MeridianEducation: Bachelor of Science from Colorado School of Mines in petroleum engineering with a minor in economics.Occupation: Stay-at-home mother since 2014; former petroleum engineer for Shell Exploration and Production Co.; incumbent, school board president.Family: Husband, Cody, and three children.Top issue: She believes challenges can be solved if the community comes together. The district is working hard to get its finances in order and multiyear budget forecasting is a key part of that process. She wants to improve educational opportunities, and would like to dedicate more time and resources to the district's strategic plan. She also wants to engage the community through stronger collaboration and partnerships.

Residence: Center TownshipEducation: Bachelor of Science from Penn State in political science.Occupation: Stay-at-home mother; former user experience designer at Highmark; incumbent, school board vice-president.Family: Husband, Barry, and two daughters.Top issue: She believes the district must adapt to its increasingly diverse student population with a focus on social, emotional and differentiated learning. She said the district has developed a forward-thinking, student-focused strategic framework, balanced the budget, and begun much-needed capital and safety improvements. She also believes in empowering staff and partnerships to develop pathways to in-demand careers.

Residence: Center TownshipEducation: Bachelor of Science from Slippery Rock University in recreational therapy; and masters from Geneva College in organizational leadership and development.Occupation: Butler County Children and Youth.Family: Husband, John, and two children.Top issue: She believes the school district is losing too many students to cyber school and hopes to be an understanding voice for families moving in this direction. She wants to better anti-bullying programs. She is a strong believer that all district employees are trained in trauma informed care, which would provide new tools to staff and could be used to support not only students but teachers as well in the classroom setting.

Residence: ButlerEducation: Licensed pastor; held licenses in insurance, securities and mortgage origination.Occupation: Founder and CEO of Grace Youth and Family Foundation; incumbent, school board.Family: Married 36 years; five children; five grandchildren with another on the way.Top issue: He is focused on continued long-term financial and educational strategic planning. Through the eight years as a director, he said board leadership, with the cooperation of organized labor groups, helped bring BASD back from serious financial crisis. He believes continued teamwork between the administration, staff and board will bring improved educational offerings within a sound financial framework.

Residence: Center TownshipEducation: Some college; Butler High School.Occupation: Honorary Consul to the Kingdom of Denmark; retired from the family-owned business, Eastwood Village.Family: Husband, Tom; four children and seven grandchildren.Top issue: She believes the biggest issue is what to do with the middle school, wants to see the building saved and the fifth and sixth grades remain there. She calls for more transparency from district leaders in financial records. She points out that if the middle school is closed the building would still need to be maintained until it was sold. She does not feel that Broad Street School is big enough to hold the fifth- and sixth-grade classes.