Ledyard - Nine candidates, including one newcomer, stand to claim the nine seats on the Board of Education next month.

Though the race is uncontested, members of the board will remain in the spotlight this year as they try to finalize plans for a long-awaited renovation of Ledyard Middle School and make a decision on which of the town's elementary schools to shutter.

After a $45 million proposal to renovate Ledyard Middle School was suddenly scrapped this past spring after questions about the price tag were raised, the Board of Education will contend with a looming deadline to get another proposal back on the ballot in time for next May's budget referendum. Among the recommendations to make for the project will be whether to close Ledyard Center School or Gallup Hill School as part of a cost-saving measure to consolidate the town's elementary schools.

Republican incumbents Gordon Strickland, Joan Disco, Julia Cronin, Robert Beaver and Mimi Peck-Llewellyn will all seek another term, along with the only candidate not currently on the board, David Luke.

Democrats Rebecca Graebner, Stephanie Calhoun, and Chairwoman Sharon Hightower will also seek to reclaim their seats.