By By BEN RAYMOND LODE / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Dennis Cooper is the only candidate whose name appears on the ballot for the one available school board seat in Monday's Brandywine election.
However, Amanda McKee, a 1992 Brandywine graduate, has announced her intentions to seek the seat, held at present by Cooper, as a write-in candidate.
Voters in the Brandywine district can cast their ballots at Merritt Educational Center on 1620 La Salle Ave., in Niles.
The polling booths will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cooper has served on the school board for four and a half years.
McKee, who graduated from St. Mary's College with a degree in political science, is currently vice president of Carval Inc. in Niles.
Cooper is the director of information technology at Fapco Inc. in Buchanan.
He has lived in the Brandywine community for six years, but is a life-long resident of Michiana.
Cooper has a bachelor's degree in political science from Indiana State University, Ind.
Brandywine Public Schools, apart from electing a new school board member, is also seeking support for a bond issue at Monday's election.
If the bond issue goes through, it would allow the school district to make necessary improvements to the school district's facilities, school officials said.
About 4,900 voters are eligible to vote in the Brandywine school elections.
According to the school district's administration staff, 1,400 people voted in last year's election.