If you attended last week's school board candidates' night looking for controversy, you left woefully disappointed.

In fact, the audience had to listen carefully to detect a difference, let alone an actual disagreement, among the three candidates for Worthington Board of Education.

Julie Keegan, Geoffrey Scott and Charlie Wilson each gave their standard two-minute introductions, then fielded seven questions from the audience of approximately 100 people last Thursday night at Congregation Beth Tikvah.

Keegan, 39, of 6675 Lakeside Circle W., grew up in Worthington and has four children attending Worthington schools. She has a law degree from George Mason School of Law, and currently stays at home. She is an active volunteer in the district.

Scott, 39, of 805 Olenhurst Court, is a lifelong resident, a father of three, a former district employee, and a business owner in Worthington. He graduated from Capital University College of Law and is an attorney with Blaugrund Herbert & Martin.

Both Keegan and Scott are running as challengers.

Wilson, 55, of 1116 Baumock Burn Drive, was appointed to the board last February. His two sons graduated from Worthington Kilbourne High School. He has a law degree from New York University School of Law and is an associate professor of law at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Asked if they thought it was ethical for a board member to campaign for a school levy, all three said yes.

In response to another question, they also agreed they would consider the interests of both the east and west sides of the school district when making decisions.

One questioner noted the bomb threat that had been made at Thomas Worthington earlier that day and asked what each board member would do to make the schools safe.

Following a campaign theme about an alleged tendency of the current board to micromanage, Scott said the role of the board is to support the administration and to make sure it has the resources to handle such situations.

"It's not my job to jump in and start managing," he said.

Wilson said it is the role of the board to represent constituents to let the administration know about the views, questions and concerns in the community.

Keegan agreed it is important for board members to communicate with the administration, and to make sure they are well-trained in handling such situations.

She added that, as a parent of a Thomas Worthington student, she had been kept well informed about the situation by the high school principal.

Asked if they would move ahead with another alternative middle school program without voter approval, Keegan said she would, "if the space and numbers would support it."

"We can't go back to the voters every time we make a decision," she said.

Wilson said he agreed, but added that it was crucial for residents to weigh in on such decisions.

Scott agreed, saying he couldn't imagine moving ahead on such a decision without getting the input of the community.

Asked if they favored "green" initiatives in the schools, Wilson was at an advantage because he was allowed to answer first.

He said the schools need to get going on recycling, that Styrofoam needs to be removed from lunchrooms, and that unused roof space could be used for solar panels.

Keegan said she would support all of those steps, as long as they were cost effective.

Scott noted that solar power is used at Bluffsview Elementary School. He said that some efforts may need to start small to make sure they are not too costly.

"Green is a good way to go," he said.

Finally, the candidates were asked about their voting records. Wilson said he has never missed voting in an election; Scott said he has voted regularly; and Keegan said has voted regularly, but not in primaries.

Franklin County Board of Elections records show 13 elections since 2000. The general election of 2006 has not yet been recorded on individual voting records.

Wilson is the only candidate who voted in all 13.

Scott voted in eight, not voting in the primary election of 2002, neither election in 2003 and neither primary in 2005 or 2006.

Keegan voted six times. She voted in all general elections between 2000 and 2005, and in the 2006 primary.

<center>cbrooks@thisweeknews.com