School board members to face challengers in election

SPARTA-Incumbents Richard Finkle, Gunter Frauenpreis, and Ilene Hallack will face challenges in their attempt to retain their positions on the Sparta School Board. In addition to the three incumbents, Jonathan J. Rush, Michael R. Schiavoni, Michael Schill, Jr. and Richard Sullivan also filed their intentions to run for the positions by Monday's deadline. The three positions up for grabs are three-year terms. The elections come at a crucial time for Sparta, where the board is engaged in securing land for a possible construction of a new high school. The plan, which has to be approved by the voters in a special referendum, has proven controversial with members of the community. The board came under additional criticism late last year, after it took steps to condemn private property in order to secure land for the proposed new school. The elections will take place April 19.