A significant election approaches as five candidates compete for four open school board seats, according to board chair Julie Sweitzer.

Three of the five candidates are current members of the board, seeking reelection Nov. 3. The other two candidates look to fill the final seat, as Sweitzer is not seeking reelection.

“I personally think (the incumbents) have done a fine job, each of them, as school board members and would be thrilled if they were reelected,” Sweitzer said. “After 12 years I feel that the school district is in very good shape and there are other things I want to do.”

Sweitzer said she looks forward to turnover of school board seats as well, as she said this is one of the reasons she is not seeking reelection.

“I look forward to at least one of the other candidates serving on the school board,” Sweitzer said.

The school board, according to the district, is a seven-member board whose responsibilities include supporting educational opportunities for students.

City clerk Melissa Kennedy, responsible for overseeing and organizing the city’s administrative functions, said students should care about the school board election.

“The school board is integral in shaping the St. Louis Park school system as a whole, and making sure the student voice is heard is very important,” Kennedy said.

Junior Kaleb Schweizer said the school board is critical for students.

“I think it’s important for students to pay attention to (the school board) because it affects what happens around them, both their learning environment and their physical environment in school,” Schweizer said.

Sweitzer said students may not always see the direct impact of the board, but that it still has an important impact on students.

“The school board sets the broad policies for the district and works with the superintendent and the administration to set the priorities for the district,” she said.

This year’s election will leave one candidate left off the board, as five candidates compete for only four available seats. The candidates include incumbents Nancy Gores, Ken Morrison and Joe Tatalovich. Also running are Jim Beneke and Christine M. Johnson.

Sweitzer said people often vote for candidates based on who they know from the community, stressing the importance of networking and word of mouth.

“I think (voters) are often looking for someone they know or who’s been recommended by someone they know,” Sweitzer said.

Campaigning, according to Sweitzer, also takes form in campaign literature that candidates distribute closer to Election Day, along with doorknocking. Sweitzer said voters should expect to see these types of campaigning closer to Nov. 3.

“That kind of (campaigning) usually happens closer to Election Day,” she said.

She said the local League of Women Voters will likely hold a candidates’ forum in October.

Voters will participate in the elections Nov. 3.