Voters will elect five Democratic and five Republican nominees from six candidates. All candidates will appear on both ballots in the May 15 primary.

Answers are to questions posed by the Butler Eagle.

Kimberly Geyer Democrat/RepublicanAddress: 451 Denny Road, Adams Township

Occupation: Office manager for Geyer Construction (self-employed), policy analyst for Mars Research & Retrieval Services (self-employed)

Family members: Married, with a daughter and a son

Government experience: Served on Mars School Board for two four-year terms; serves on Midwestern Intermediate Unit Board of Directors (Grove City); independent consultant, researcher, and legislative analyst for legislators in both the Pennsylvania House and Senate; invited to serve a two-year term on "The Speaker's Golden Apple Awards" a program that annually recognizes educational innovation among Pennsylvania educators

H. Ross McConnell Democrat/RepublicanAddress: 207 Division St., Mars

Occupation: Retired US Airways supervisor, school bus driver

Family members: Married, with two daughters

Government experience: Past president, Mars Borough Council

Christian Ola Democrat/RepublicanAddress: 170 Stoup Road, Mars, PA 16046

Occupation: Mortgage banker/part-time college instructo

rFamily members: Wife Melissa, son Alex, 5; daughter Mia, 3

Government experience: None

Emil O. Schultz III Democrat/RepublicanAddress: Mars

Did not return questionnaireChristine Stroup Democrat/RepublicanAddress: 213 Adams Pointe Blvd., Adams Township

Occupation: Pediatric nurse, presently working with the Highmark Caring Foundation: Children with Special Healthcare Needs Program. Graduate of Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and Carlow College

Family members: Married, with a daughter

Government experience: none

Bonnie L. Weaver Democrat/RepublicanAddress: 107 Ramblewood Lane, Adams Township

Did not return a questionnaire

</B>Why did you decide to run for a seat?<B>GEYER:</B> My passion is helping people and helping to improve education. I am committed to doing what I can in my capacity to make our schools in Mars Area the best they can possibly be for all the students and families we serve. I am willing to serve one more term if elected in 2007 before giving myself my own term limit. I will not seek school board office after the election of this term if elected.<B>McCONNELL:</B> I decided to run to help keep control of operations in the district with my work experience. Also to help with the school district that my children graduated from.<B>OLA:</B> With two children about to enter the public school system, it's my responsibility to ensure that they, and all children like them, have an above-average education so that we can keep our competitive advantage. Rather than focus on a single issue with an ax to grind, I want to focus on the entire educational process from K-12 in an attempt to meet as many students' needs as possible.<B>STROUP: </B>Education of all children is important to me and I want to be a part of helping our students, regardless of circumstances, receive a quality education. This has been a goal to give back to the community once my daughter finished her high school education. Being a school board director requires a significant commitment of time and I wanted to be able to give this job my full attention.<B>What are the top three issues facing your school district?</B><B>GEYER:</B> 1. Meeting the demands of district growth while being highly efficient with current resources to provide a continuum of quality education services and programs for all students.2. Providing increased relevancy and real world application to current and new curriculum programs to better prepare students living in a global economy.3. Meeting the challenges of the 21st century with a districtwide perspective in a transforming community with diverse needs, demands, expectations, and priorities.<B>McCONNELL:</B> 1. Rising student population. 2. Control of expenses and tax increases. 3. Facility maintenance.<B>OLA: </B>Growth facing our district is the primary focus, as Westinghouse has the potential to add thousands of community members in the next decade. Planning for this growth is instrumental to Mars' continued success.Fiscal responsibility, without compromising student services, is a huge element as well. Running a small business gives me the numbers "know how," while having children of my own also makes me a realist.Continuing to set higher standards for staff and students.<B>STROUP:</B> The three top issues for the Mars district are growth and future construction projects to accommodate this growth, developing curriculum programs to meet state and federal guidelines, as well as utilizing our tax dollars that is most beneficial and efficient.<B>Why should district residents choose you to represent them?GEYER:</B> I have actively advocated diverse issues on behalf of MASD since 1999 at local, state, and national levels on my own initiative. I am an avid researcher, analyst, and communicator on my own time and incur all of my own expenses for all efforts in lieu of taxpayer money. Loyal to the people I am elected to serve, I take my charge seriously and am not self-serving. My focus is always on the students.<B>McCONNELL:</B> I am a longtime resident of the Mars Area. My management skills with my employer, US Airways, will help me work with both union and non-union school district employees.<B>OLA: </B>With kids of my own, combined with my business skills and my own personal education, I have the ability to balance financial obligations with the reality of running a school district. I make tough decisions each day in business, and school board members do the same thing. My negotiating skills and ability to listen before taking action are my greatest assets. I approach each idea or person with a clean slate and no preconceived notions.<B>STROUP: </B>Mars School District residents should choose me to represent them most of all because of my experience with children. I have lived in the district for six years and my daughter attended and graduated from Mars. I believe I have the ability to be fair and impartial on issues facing the district. Quality education for all of our children is the utmost motivation for seeking this position.<B>What specific ideas do you have to improve academics in the district schools?GEYER:</B> Have written, researched, and lobbied over 50 diverse legislative ideas. Many have been drafted into legislative bills, others have reformed education regulations, procedures, and policies. Implemented Education Enrichment Days in providing relevancy to high school curriculum. Exploring innovative ways to fund schools in lieu of property taxes related to establishment of school foundations or ways to partner with businesses. Have ideas related to integrating technology, pre-engineering, and other interdisciplinary courses in the middle and high schools.<B>McCONNELL:</B> Nothing specific, just keep updating academics as needed to keep pace with changing needs.<B>OLA: </B>Being an employer, I know that employers want students who think and act independently and logically. I believe in integrating various trades into learning so that students can get "real world" examples of academics at work. This has worked well during my teaching experience at BC3, and it would transfer nicely to the high school and middle school. I'd like to bring the work world to the classroom with more guest speakers, lecturers, career days, etc.<B>STROUP: </B>With projected growth we need to meet the needs with appropriate student-to-teacher ratio. Obesity is a national epidemic. Increasing health education awareness and physical activity, as well as looking at the nutrition benefits of school lunches. Alternative ways to seek and retain quality educators. With good teachers and a strong curriculum our children will have the best chance at success for the future.