Although the Presidential election between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be the main topic of conversation on Nov. 8, 2016, those results aren’t the only ones for students to keep to an eye on.

The results that will be affecting the students of Jeff High School the most will be the Greater Clark County school board elections. Four of the seven school board seats are up for election, with three of those four openings having re-election filed.

The Hyphen breaks down what you should know about each race, and those candidates running.

District 2- all of charlestown township      

Current board member: Tony Hall (filed for re-election)         

Challenger(s): Katie Hutchinson & Pasquel Ross

Tony Hall: “I feel like I can share my experience and knowledge. We have a very bright future in Clark County and I feel great things are ahead for Greater Clark…(We have to) make sure every decision you make is answering ‘is this best for kids?’…During the first board meeting, we recognize students, teachers, other staff and even some community members who have gone above the norm.”

About the candidate: Hall is a retired Greater Clark County school teacher. He was a math teacher for 33 years, an Athletic Director for 17 Years and a girls basketball coach for 13 years. Hall is the secretary of the board of trustees. He is in two committees within the school board: Charlestown redevelopment and the ISBA nomination committee.

Katie Hutchinson:  “I am running for the educators, families and students. It seems GCCS has lost focus of who, not what, we are about. As a school board member, I want to put our focus back on students and involve families in every step, not just the voting … I will bring a fresh look and a passion for always doing what needs to be done. I am not ok when things are ‘good’. Our kids deserve greatness because they have greatness inside of them. We are preparing our students for tomorrow. We can’t continue doing what we’ve always done — it’s not working.”

About the candidate: According to former JHS teacher Katie Hutchinson, she has worked for Greater Clark for eight years.

Pasquel Ross: could not be reached for comment and no verified information was found.

District 5- Jeffersonville Township Precincts 17, 18, and 20 through 25    

Current board member: Christina Gilkey (filed for re-election)            

Challenger(s): unopposed

Christina Gilkey: “I, personally, feel we (GCCS) are in a great place in what we are doing for teachers and students. I want to continue to be apart of that. There’s a learning curve to being a school board member. We [board members] have to do homework and study material just like students.”  

About the candidate: Gilkey is the Board of School Trustees Vice President. Within the school board, she attains to the strategic planning committee, insurance committee, and college and career readiness.

District 6- Jeffersonville township precinct 7,8, 9, 10, 11, 11a, 12, 13, 15 and 16     

Current board member: Jerry White (not seeking re-election)                        

Challenger(s): Milton Clayton (filed for open seat)

Milton Clayton: “I’ve always worked with kids and I’ve enjoyed working with children…I have an extensive public education background. I want to help ensure the safety and education of students. I’m a parent and a grandparent and I know how education affects family.”

About the candidate: Clayton worked with Greater Clark County Schools for 41 years. Of those 41 years, 25 of them were in the transportation field. He has held the position of Administrative Assistant and Director of Transportation for the GCCS system as well.

District 7- Jeffersonville Township Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 14        

Current board member: Teresa Bottorff-Perkins (filed for re-election)   

Challenger(s): Kelli Dattilo

Teresa Bottorff-Perkins: “I’ve been involved in education my entire life. I spent 40 years as a teacher, counselor, and administrator. I am passionate about students and schools. Being on the board takes a lot of preparation. Several people do not realize that members of the board have full time jobs.”

About the candidate: According to a Dec. 2, 2015 Courier-Journal article, Perkins pleaded guilty to a D-felony charge of shoplifting in Tennessee. She was sentenced to four years of probation and also had to pay $1,402.77 in restitution by Dec.15, 2014. Perkins is in the strategic planning committee and the education foundation within the school board.

Kelli Dattilo- “As an educator, I have many of the skills needed to understand the inner workings of a school district…I think it’s important that the needs of the students, teachers, and staff are understood by the Clark County community and taxpayers…Before becoming a teacher, I worked in the banking/business world for almost 20 years. My knowledge of business principles, management of people and resources, as well as problem-solving skills are talents I would bring to the GCCS school board.”

About the candidate: Dattilo works at Doss High School, a high school in Louisville, Ky. She has been a teacher there for nine years.

“I think that what’s important is one [ a member  of the school board ] who wants to work hard,  is open minded,  and a collaborative team player,” Deputy Superintendent Travis Haire said.