Editor's Note: The name of candidate Kurt Fetter was incorrectly reported as Kent Fetter in the May 14-20 edition of North Country This Week. We regret the error.

NORWOOD — Four candidates are running for seats on the Norwood-Norfolk Central School Board on the May 18 election.

Robert Barlow, Stephen Markum, Kurt Fetter and James Dillon are vying for three spots on the board.

Voting is from 12:30-8:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.

Robert Barlow

“I would like to serve on the Board of Education because our school system is the foundation of our community,” said incumbent candidate Robert Barlow. “I am passionate about bringing collaborative discussion around the school budget and education that will empower our school system and improve the opportunity for all children, because our community depends upon prosperity.”

Barlow’s vision for the Norwood-Norfolk Central School is to develop well rounded, confident and responsible individuals who are inspired to achieve their full potential through a supportive learning environment.

Barlow holds a bachelor’s degree of applied science in leadership and management.

Stephen Markum

“I would like to continue to serve on the Board of Education because of the positive trend we are moving in; test scores have been moving up; our school is being maintained at a level of excellence that hasn’t been seen in years,” said candidate Stephen Markum, an incumbent. “Our tax levy for the public has remained very low or at 0%. It would be a privilege to remain on the Board of Education for another three years.”

Markum said the school should provide the best possible learning environment for students and teachers while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

Markum is a 1979 graduate of Norwood-Norfolk, Naval Senior Enlisted Academy class of 82, DOD Keystone Course for Senior Leaders graduate, and has taken management classes on process improvement ranging from the 90’s with Deming TQL/TQM, Covey, Lean Six Sigma and Whole Goals.

Kurt Fetter

“A child’s education begins early and continues over the course of their lives,” said candidate Kurt Fetter. “As public schooling is often a critical part of a person’s education, and good schooling can be the key to an individual’s future success, we should all be invested in making sure that every child has access to the best education possible. Our schools must help young people understand themselves as they acquire knowledge and develop the skills necessary to think and solve problems big and small.”

“Good schools should help instill in young people a sense of individual responsibility and foster a sense of their community obligations. As the members of a school board develop policies, hire personnel, and develop budgets they should keep in mind why policies are being established, why only the best people should be employed, and why budgets should be developed with the future in mind,” Fetter said.

Fetter graduated from NNCS completing a two-year Seaway Tech Program. He is a retired teacher and school counselor working part-time for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. The candidate holds degrees from SUNY Potsdam, Saint Lawrence University, and Stony Brook University (Writing Fellow). He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, National American Indian Court Judges Association, and The Sons of the American Legion.

James Dillon

“I would like to serve on the Board of Education because I feel as though I can be an unbiased board member. I will share the common goal of my fellow board members to give a quality education for all students, while still having the best interest of the taxpayers and community on my mind,” said incumbent candidate James Dillon.

“My vision for the Norwood-Norfolk Central School is to produce a learning environment where every child feels safe and secure to obtain a quality education with no distractions. To have every student who graduates feel a sense of accomplishment and pride to have been a student at Norwood-Norfolk Central School,” said Dillon.

Dillon is a graduate of Norwich University with B.A. in criminal justice, served in the United States Army Military Police Corps, was a military dog handler (K-9), was part of the Special Reaction Team, a graduate of Primary Leadership Development Course at Fort Campbell, NY, a member of Homeland Security, Honor Guard and Recruiting Team Member (appointed as representative to attend outreach events which include Norwood-Norfolk students). He also served as a volunteer fireman while living in Maryland and Vermont.