The upcoming election on Nov. 5 will have a tremendous impact on the future of the Avon Grove School District.

There are five school board seats that are up for election in Avon Grove, and a total of eight candidates who are vying to fill those seats—five incumbents and three newcomers who earned a spot on the November ballot by winning the nomination in the Primary Election. At stake is the majority control of a school board that has been divided, 5-4, on most important issues during the last two years.

In Region I, which is comprised of Franklin Township and London Britain Township, incumbent Charles Beatty is seeking another term on the school board. He is being challenged by Dr. Dorothy Linn, a retired school superintendent.

In Region II, which is comprised of Penn Township, New London Township, and voting district #1 of West Grove Borough, there are three candidates vying for two seats. School board president Tracy Lisi and school board member Jeffrey Billig are both seeking a second term on the board, while Mark Stewart Jr., the Republican nominee, is hoping to join the board for the first time.

There are three candidates vying for two seats that are up for election in Region III. Two longtime incumbents, Herman Engel and Bonnie Wolff, have linked their campaigns as they seek re-election, while Christina Fanning is hoping to unseat one of the incumbents. Region III includes London Grove Township, Avondale Borough, and Voting District #2 of West Grove Borough.

With contested races in all three regions, the Primary Election in May provided some clarity, as one candidate from Region II failed to earn a spot on the November ballot. Additionally, Lisi and Wolff, who had both cross-filed, managed to secure the nominations on both the republican and democratic side. This means that on Nov. 5, they will receive a vote whenever anyone in their respective regions casts a straight-party vote for democrats or republicans.

One reason that the Avon Grove School Board races are so hotly contested is the ongoing process of designing and planning for the construction of a new high school—the largest project in school district history. Avon Grove is far along in the planning process, and has invested a lot of time and money—millions of dollars—to reach this point.