The Hayfield Public School Board race is a bit crowded this year.

Six candidates are vying for four seats, with incumbents Kathleen Hegna-Zelinske and Craig Pesch joining challengers Lisa Bungum, Kelly Caspers, Christopher Ebeling and Doug Waldner in the race.

“School’s always been important to me,” Casper, who grew up in the area, said. “I just kind of want to contribute back.”

Caspers said the most important issues the district is facing includes keeping the budget in check and retaining students.

“The biggest thing is going to be the budget,” she said. “You’re going to have to keep it in check.”

Bungum feels the same, though she said increased communication between the board, faculty, administration and community could help solve retention issues if students knew more about resources like ACT prep and homework help they could be taking advantage of.

“I really feel strongly that teamwork between a board member, teachers, students and the community need to be highlighted,” Bungum said.

Hegna-Zelinske shares these viewpoints. As a three-term board member, she also is focused on making sure Hayfield can properly use classroom technology to ensure students are keeping track with their peers in the area and state.

“That’s the future for the kids,” she sad. “All the other school districts you see have laptops, or iPads, or some sort of technology the kids use. We need to keep moving forward with that.”

—Eberling, Pesch and Waldner did not return calls for comment.