By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – School board candidates in St. John the Baptist Parish will get their first chance to let the public hear their ideas and opinions tonight in a debate at East St. John High School.

The debate, which begins at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, is sponsored by the St. John Association of Educators and will be moderated by Nicondra Norwood of Fox 8 news.

Although many current members of the board are unopposed in their bids to keep their current seats, a number of key races feature two or more candidates.

In District 2, current board representative Albert Burl III will face Elexia Henderson and Yvette Scioneaux. Board Vice President Patrick Sanders will face Ferdinand Wallace Jr., who last month challenged the validity of Sanders’ candidacy saying Sanders did not reside in the district he represents.

Board newcomer Sherry DeFrancesh, who took over James Madere’s seat when he resigned earlier this year, is being challenged by Wilbert Ocmond Jr. Lastly, District 8 representative Russ Wise will face a pair of opponents in Beverly Harris and Chris Ory.