The Seneca Valley School District has a race for the Democratic nomination in Region 8 and for the Republican nomination in Region 9. Both seats are for four years.

<B>Region 8(Forward/Lancaster townships)Eric O. DiTullio112 Victory TerraceLancaster Township</B>Occupation: Industrial estimator<B>Family</B>: Married, with three sons and two daughters<B>Government experience</B>: Zelienople Planning Commission, 2002-03; Lancaster Township Uniform Construction Code Appeals Board — 2004 to present<B>R Georgiann Kerr</B>108 Southview DriveDid not respond<B>Region 9Jim Welsh</B>350 Prospect RoadJackson Township<B>Occupation</B>: High school special education teacher<B>Family</B>: Married, with two children<B>Government experience:</B> None<B>Jeffrey Widdowson</B>7998 Franklin RoadJackson Township<B>Occupation</B>: Sales<B>Family</B>: Married, with two daughters, three stepdaughters and a stepson<B>Government experience</B>: Retired Cranberry Township police officer; 12-year member of Seneca Valley school board

<B>QUESTION: Why did you decide to run for a seat?DITULLIO</B>: I am a lifelong resident of the district and I, along with my wife and oldest son are graduates of Seneca Valley. I believe we each have a civic duty to vote and I have always been interested in being a public servant and decided that with 5 children, that have and will go through the Seneca Valley School District, the school board was a logical start.<B>WELSH</B>: My initiative to run for school board began several years ago when I realized there was a 'disconnect' between board members, teachers, administration, and the public. I would like to bridge that gap. I believe through my knowledge of the education system and open communication, it is possible.<B>WIDDOWSON</B>: As a 12-year veteran of the school board, I would look to assist in continuing to provide a high-quality education while maintaining a low tax base. Once again we are presenting a budget with a zero tax increase.<B>QUESTION: What are the top three issues facing your school district?DITULLIO</B>: The number one issue is to continue to better the education of the children of the district. The second issue is the budget. Being fiscally responsible is not only a challenge of how much money you spend but how wisely you spend it. I am committed to ensuring that taxpayer money is spent prudently and sensibly. The third issue is to be able to retain our individuality as the district continues to grow. We are a suburban and rural area and we have a unique culture that should not be lost.<B>WELSH</B>: Lack of respect some school board members have for the public that they serve; deficit of understanding, by some members of the school board, of the education system. My intentions are to open up communication, become more fiscally responsible and improve the education within the district.<B>WIDDOWSON</B>: Providing a quality education; keeping taxes low; updating technology and facilities.<B></B><B>QUESTION: Should details of an early-bird contract with teachers be presented to the public far enough in advance of a vote to allow for public comment?DITULLIO: </B>Yes. The details of all negotiations should be made easily accessible to the public. Too many people were not aware of the actual facts in a timely manner during the last contract negotiations. The people the board represents deserve to have all the facts and should have the opportunity to offer opinions to the board. I also believe that all financial information of the district should be available, in detail, on the Web site during the entire year, not just during contract negotiations.<B>WELSH</B>: Yes, an early-bird contract should be presented to the public far enough in advance. The school board was elected to represent the views of their district. The taxpayers should have time to see any documents that they have a stake in and give feedback to the elected representative.<B>WIDDOWSON</B>: Yes. I believe that within the confines of the law, all actions should be open and available for public comment.