Here are the candidates running for school boards across Eaton County

EATON RAPIDS — There are crowded races for several school boards across Greater Lansing, and school board races in Grand Ledge and Eaton Rapids, having the most candidates, could be the most intense for Eaton County.

Grand Ledge and Eaton Rapids respectively have six and five candidates running for six-year seats on their individual Boards of Education. There are three open seats in Grand Ledge, and two in Eaton Rapids.

They are competing in contested races to set policy for their districts, hire leadership and approve annual budgets. Olivet also has a contested race, with three candidates running for two, six-year seats.

Don't confuse the two elections this year. While there is a primary election on Aug. 6, school board candidates in Michigan are non-partisan, and there is no primary. All Board of Education elections are now held in November in Michigan, so voters will see candidates on ballots along with races for state House, U.S. Senate and presidential candidates among many others.

Here's a look at the candidates for districts where there are competitive races in Eaton County.

Eaton Rapids Public Schools

Eaton Rapids Public Schools Board of Education members serve six year terms and two seats are open.

Jeannine Brake-Norder - Incumbent

Mary Burleson

Melissa Eckman

Joseph Loren

Brian Ross - Incumbent

Grand Ledge Public Schools

Grand Ledge Public Schools Board of Education members serve for six years and three seats are open.

Brenton Bell

Ben Cwayna - Incumbent

Coban Holmes

Matt Oppenheim

Kali Stevens

Tim Totten

Olivet Community Schools

Olivet Community Schools Board of Education members serve for six years and two seats are open.

Jeff Barkley

Anthony Faulkner - Incumbent

Katie Starkweather

Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@lsj.com. Follow her on X @sarahmatwood .

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Here are the candidates running for school boards across Eaton County