10 file for November race

The race to fill four Aiken County School Board seats brought candidates with diverse experience to file for the Nov. 4 election this week. Ten candidates met the Tuesday deadline.

DISTRICT 1: WAGENER AREA

DR. JOHN BASS

AGE: 61

EMPLOYMENT: Guinyard-Butler Middle School principal, Barnwell County

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I'm very interested in student achievement and quality teachers in our classrooms."

DISTRICT 4: NORTH AUGUSTA AREA

DARRELL BLOCKER

AGE: 46

EMPLOYMENT: Barber shop owner, real estate broker

RUNNING BECAUSE: "There's a need in the area. I know the concerns, and ... I want to get involved."

Keith Liner

AGE: 43

EMPLOYMENT: Savannah River Site, environmental engineer

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I've done a lot of volunteer work in Area 2 schools for the last 10 years, and I've seen firsthand what teachers and students are faced with."

DISTRICT 8: AIKEN

DR. TAMMY CONNOR-MOORE

AGE: 40

EMPLOYMENT: Physician and stay-at-home mom

RUNNING BECAUSE: "In my volunteering, I notice that there's a need."

DR. CHUCK LEOPOLD

AGE: 65

EMPLOYMENT: Retired, former Aiken County principal

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I wanted to play a role in maximizing the potential of each student to become a well-educated and contributing member of society."

Donna Moore Wesby

AGE: 38

EMPLOYMENT: Greatest Gift shop owner, former Savannah River Site employee

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I have a strong love for young people, and I know and understand the importance of education."

DISTRICT 9: AIKEN

DAVE BEST

(Did not return a phone call)

JOHANNA BLUE

(Did not return a follow-up phone call)

RICHARD HAZEN

AGE: 50

EMPLOYMENT: Wachovia senior vice president of investments

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I want to work on dropout rate and finances in the school system, as well as improve test scores."

Alice Sheehan

AGE: 65

EMPLOYMENT: Retired, former Aiken County principal

RUNNING BECAUSE: "I'm just very interested in making Aiken County schools the very best."

-- Julia Sellers, staff writer