BY LAUREN P. DUNCAN

Seven Graves County residents are running for three different board of education seats in hopes of having a say in the district's operation of 11 schools.

Running for the 5th District seat - which covers the Fancy Farm, Lowes, Melber and Sullivan precincts - are incumbent Kelly Whitaker and challenger Anthony "T.J." Taylor.

Whitaker, who has been on the board for four years, pointed to her votes against a tax increase in 2013 and against the closure of Cuba Elementary School as reasons why she should be re-elected Tuesday.

"I think that serves to prove my dedication," Whitaker said. "It's a proven record that I have the courage to stand up and vote alone if it's in the best interests of our taxpayers, children and employees."

While the Cuba school closed to students on June 30, it remains unsold because of a court-ordered stay, which is expected to be lifted Nov. 22. Whitaker said it's important that conservative-minded board members are elected to find ways to keep the smaller community schools open.

Taylor said he's running because he has young children and he'll be a parent of Graves County students for the next 14 years. He said a few of his priorities are to see the district grow and to make facilities upgrades to schools including Lowes Elementary.

"I would like to see Graves County to keep growing as a school district, and of course we have a big need in Lowes," he said. "Our next challenge is going to be repair that school and hopefully get the funds to fix it."

Running for the 2nd District seat - which includes Lynnville, Cuba, Sedalia, Torian, Farmington, and South Highland precincts - are incumbent Susan Barton and challenger Josh Cherry.

Barton was appointed to the board in July 2013 by the Kentucky Department of Education. She said she understands the district's needs because she's a retired Graves County teacher.

"I understand the ins and outs, all grades, academics, curriculum, and I think I can be an asset to parents, students, administration, and the school board," she said. "I want the kids in Graves County to get the education to help them do anything they want, to be a success."

Cherry, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed against the closure of Cuba Elementary School, said he wants voters to know that the Cuba issue isn't the only reason he's running.

"Cuba got me involved," he said. "It opened my eyes to a lot of overspending and misuse of tax dollars."

Cherry, who has two young children, said budget changes could be made to see more funding be directly spent on students, and he'd like to see more transparency involving school board matters.

"I would like to see the community and the taxpayers more involved," he said.

Julie Myatt Moffitt, William Bell and Dreama Harrison are running for the 1st District seat being vacated by Kevin Curtsinger. The district covers Pilot Oak, Water Valley, East Wingo and West Wingo precincts.

Moffitt said she isn't running because she has a "personal vendetta with the system or an ax to grind," but because she wants to see improvements across the district, where her two daughters attend school.

Moffitt's priorities include seeing that teachers receive proper pay so that the district is able to maintain quality staff.

"I think we should build up our schools, not tear them down," she said.

Bell, another plaintiff in the lawsuit against the Cuba school closure, said he's running for several reasons.

"It's more about accountability. There's been a pattern of wasteful behavior. I pledge to avoid excessive taxes and start successful practices, address the wide gap of salaries and protect community schools," he said.

Bell said one of his major concerns is that some schools have fallen into disrepair while other new facilities have been built. He also said he wants to put an end to "closed door meetings."

"I just want to stand up for the common citizens," he said.

Harrison said she plans to spend time in the classrooms to learn what teachers and students need before making any promises about what her goals will be, if elected.

Harrison has had three children graduate from Graves County schools.

"I just believe that I can go into the whole situation with an open mind, put the kids first and be able to speak for them," she said.