UTICA - Four candidates will be vying for two open spots on the Utica School Board, during next weeks election.

One of the vacant seats will be left behind by Victor Pellegrino, who decided not to re-run this year. The other seat is currently occupied by Donald Dawes who is re-running.

The other three candidates each live in different parts of the city, and all have a different reason as to why they are

Albert Alteri is a retired Utica City Court Judge of six and a half years. He says after a few years of tossing around the idea now is the time for him to run.

"I think my experiences as a city court judge, corporation council for the City of Utica...for other reasons...that I can offer something to the school board, and I would like to do that," Alteri said.

Evon Ervin is a Cornhill resident, who went through the Utica School System and now has a grandchild in it. She says she can recognize the city is changing, and she wants to be the one to help guide the people, she would be representing, through that change.

"They need a voice to make them understand what is going on in the school, and how it affects their children," Ervin said. "I think parents are concerned they just don't understand a lot things. So, I want to be the voice that helps them understand what is going on with their children."

Timothy Masters is a North Utica resident who has two children currently in the district. He says his motivation for running came after attending a capital project public hearing, and when he left disagreeing with what he heard.

"Seen a lot of concerns, and a lot of things I didn't agree with," Masters said. "A lot of politics things like that. So I started coming to all the meetings getting involved voicing my concerns and asking specific questions."

The lone incumbent is Donald Dawes. He is proud of the background in construction he brings to the table, especially since the district is talking about renovations in this years capital project. He says he is banking on his track record, as a board member, these past five years.

"I have always been children first, tax payers, and then we have to support our teachers, and our administrators," Dawes said. "It's the way I have always felt, and that's my reason for being here."

The Utica School Board vote will take place Tuesday, May 20.