PENDLETON — One South Madison school board candidate would start a blog on the district’s Web site.

And another candidate already has a cell phone number she would dedicate to school board business if elected.

During an April debate, candidates for the South Madison Community School Corp. board of trustees discussed how they would interact with taxpayers, parents, teachers and school support staff such as bus drivers and janitors. The candidates’ final debate is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday JWhite 4/29/08 May 5 at Maple Ridge Elementary School, 8537 S. County Road 650 West, Pendleton.

Nine candidates are running for four school board spots, which make up a majority of the seven-member board. The election is May 6.

Candidates are:

n Parent Marilea Wyatt and incumbent Richard “Buck” Evans, who are running for the school board’s Adams Township seat.

n Incumbent DeAnn Wehner, parent Shane Cline and former principal Terry Auker, who are running for the Fall Creek Township seat.

n Business owner Chris Boots and incumbent Susan Campbell, who are running for the Green Township seat.

n Incumbent Amy McGinnis and parent Quincy Flatford, who are running for the at-large seat.

Elections come at a time when the school district is coping with enrollment growth.

For example, a new middle school is expected to open in 2009, board members plan to renovate the current middle school after the new building opens and the board will have to redistrict school boundaries.

And at the same time, the school district is in danger of losing thousands of dollars from the state during the next few years because of property tax reform.

These issues make it important for incumbents to get re-elected, because they are familiar with issues such as the school district’s budget, McGinnis said.

“Now is the time you need a board that is experienced and knowledgeable,” she said.

If re-elected, McGinnis said she would be visible in the public. She has recently knocked on the doors of more than 3,000 homes within the South Madison school district to speak with parents and taxpayers, she said.