With six seats appearing on the ballot for the upcoming off-year election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, there might be at least one more new director coming to the table.

In Region 8, which covers Port Royal Borough and Spruce Hill and Turbett townships, the name of longtime director Joseph R. Shearer, the board’s current vice president, does not appear on the ballot. Shearer is still seeking another term.

“Yes, I am going to have a write-in campaign,” said Shearer via email on Monday. He did the same thing in the last election. This time he is not running unopposed.

“If the voters vote me in, I will accept,” Shearer added.

Aleiha Rapp

The only name to appear on the ballot for Region 8 is Aleiha J. Rapp, who filed as a Republican and currently serves as president of Helping Hands of Juniata County.

Rapp believes her deep ties to the community through her involvement make her a natural candidate to serve on the school board.

“As a parent with young children in the school district, I have observed firsthand what is working effectively and where there is room for improvement,” Rapp said. “I’m very active within the community — I volunteer with the PTO, serve as president of youth baseball and am the founder of a local non-profit in Juniata County.

“Through these roles, I stay closely involved in community efforts on a daily basis,” Rapp added. “Because I’m engaged in so many areas, I see the needs, the gaps and the opportunities for improvement.”

Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman welcomes the change of having community members step up to serve on the board – whether it’s a returning director or a new potential candidate. Even in recent years, that wasn’t always the case as the ballot was empty.

Gabby Fisher

“The changes over the last year have been challenging, but our new board members are invested and want the best for our students,” Holderman said. “It is great to have people on the ballot.”

Looking at the other five regions, where candidates are running uncontested:

Region 1 (Monroe Township): Another familiar face, Angela J. Varner, is running for another four-year term. She is cross-filed as both a Democrat and Republican.

Region 2 (Fayette Township): Gabrielle “Gabby” F. Fisher was appointed to the school board in June, replacing Cindy Treaster who resigned on May 15. Fisher, who filed as a Democrat, is running to serve the remainder of Treaster’s two-year term.

Region 4 (Walker Township): Incumbent Helen M. Casner is unchallenged in her bid for another term. Casner filed as a Democrat.

Region 6 (Mifflin, Mifflintown and Thompsontown boroughs): Leslie Milliken replaced Martha Jane Shirk, who stepped down on June 30 due to moving from the region, is running to finish out Shirk’s two years. Milliken, who filed as a Democrat, has served since July 1.

Region 9 (Lack and Tuscarora townships): Terrance M. Shepler was appointed to replace Troy Woodward on June 19 and whose term expires this year. Shepler, a Republican, finished out Woodward’s term and is running for another four years.