There are five seats up for election on the Conneaut School Board this local election year, all for 4-year terms that would begin in December 2011,later this year.

In Region 1, two seats are up for election - the seats held by Cheryl Krachkowski and Rick Kelly.

Region 1 covers the areas of Linesville Borough and the townships of Beaver, Conneaut, North Shenango, Pine and West Fallowfield.

Krachkowski, who was appointed originally and then was elected to a 2-year term in 2009 to finish the term began by Lee Livingston who moved from the district, has indicated she will seek election.

Kelly, who was appointed to a board vacancy and then ran for a 4-year term in 2007, has indicated he will not run this time, citing family and personal reasons. Kelly also serves on the Career and Technical School board.

In Region 2, the voting area of the boroughs of Conneautville and Springboro, and the townships of Summit, Summerhill, and Spring, one seat is open - that currently held by Gina Mattera-McCauley. She also was originally appointed to fill a vacancy and then sought a 4-year term in 2007. She has indicated she will seek election to a 4-year term.

In Region 3 - the voting area of Conneaut Lake borough and the townships of Sadsbury, Greenwood and East Fallowfield, two positions are open, those currently filled by Jody Sperry and Dr. Walt Thomas. Both have indicated they intend to seek reelection to another 4-year term. Sperry is currently board president and Thomas is vice president. He also serves on the Career and Technical School board.

Petitions are currently available for those interested in running and must be filed by March 8.

Spring elections are the third Tuesday in May and Fall elections in November.

School board members can cross file - meaning they can be on both Republican and Democratic ballots. Candidates can have petitions signed only in their own particular party and must have someone from the opposite party have those petitions signed. Ten voter's names from the specific party must be on the petitions which are turned into the Voters Office in the Crawford County Courthouse. A second related financial form must also be filed at the school district office.

School board members serve without pay, must be at least 18 years of age and must have lived in their voting region for a full year before being able to be seated.

School board members meet at least twice during the month in regular meetings, have an extra meeting when serving on the Career and Technical Board, or on the IU board and may have two, three, or four other meetings depending on time of year, and what items are being addressed. Meetings may involve extra meetings to address specific issues, say hiring an architect, student expulsions, or budget work among many items.

For example, during February 2011, the board has/had 4 meetings set including student expulsions.