SOUTH BEND — With Election Day now just a few weeks away, voters are starting to take a closer look at the crowded field to lead South Bend schools. Four of the school board's seven seats are up for grabs this fall. But there are 20 candidates hoping to fill them. There's a lot to learn before casting your ballot.

On Thursday night, some of the candidates faced off for the first time at an "informal" candidate forum. Only half the candidates on the ballot attended the forum, but those who did had plenty to talk to voters about.

Each outlined their vision for South Bend schools' future.

By now, the faces, voices and buzzwords of Campaign '08 are more than familiar.

But ask any local expert, and you'll probably get the same answer: the race with the most on the line this November could be in our own backyard.

"School board, especially in our area, is one of the most critical things we probably are going to be looking at this fall," said St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce Director of Business Growth Phil Damico.

It's also the most crowded race.

Incumbent 4th District board member Dawn Jones is running unopposed.

Incumbent 3rd District board member Bill Sniadecki has three challengers: Rosalie Marie Emma-Sullivan, Steven Downey and Raymontow Restel Davis.

Sniadecki was the only one to attend Thursday's forum.

Nine other candidates joined Sniadecki at the forum, but all are running for at-large seats. There are 15 candidates for just two at-large seats on the board.

They are: Mark Smith, Paula Witherspoon, Kyle Chamberlin, Joseph Adams Jr., Roger Parent, Robert Battani, Stephanie Spivey, Karen Brandy-Comer, Dustin M. Saunders, Donald W. Wheeler, Anthony Douglas, Terrell Jackson and Gordon Berry.

Neither incumbent at-large candidate and board vice-president Ann Rosen or at-large incumbent Kimberly Barnbrook attended the forum.

So, why the sudden spike in interest this election?

"I think we're at a critical juncture in the school system right now," said Doug Germann, a member of the community group "No Excuses," who helped organize the forum. "Being between superintendents, and not really having a real direction, there's a lot at stake."

It's precisely why many attended the forum.

"I think the community at large is so fed up with the bickering and the inability of the school board to function well," said Veidre Thomas, who attended the forum to try and get some of her questions about the candidates answered.

"I want to know who has vision, which I consider absolutely critical. Who's open minded? Who's willing to communicate? We need to establish a vision that really works. And I also want someone with some sort of an accounting background, because the budget is crucial. We keep talking about: 'we have no money. And yet, we never stop and look at all the possible cuts that could be made," Thomas said.

"It is very important," agreed Debra Stanley, who also attended the forum. "There's a need for collaboration, and a need for the school corporation to be open to community."

But even with half of those on the ballot "missing-in-action" at this first forum, candidates still outnumbered voters at the event.

Damico says that needs to change if voters want South Bend to change.

"Education, when you start talking about economic development, it's probably, if not the most key ingredient, it's certainly one or two," he said.

"We have a good field, and a diverse field running, so that is encouraging," said Stanley.

"The key now is to get the people involved," said Germann.

It's clear there's a lot to learn before casting your ballot.

WSBT spoke with each of the 10 candidates who attended Thursday's forum about why they're running, and what their priorities are.

You can find those interviews, along with profiles of the candidates starting next week on this website. Just click Campaign ‘08.