Seven people have stepped forward to run in the Sept. 19 by-election to fill the vacant school board position left by Jane Thornthwaite.

On Friday, hours before the deadline for nominations, Sheila Bouman, Cyndi Gerlach, John Harvey, Mark Heieis, Doreen Mackay-Dunn, Michael Sexsmith, and Cindy Silver had filed their papers.

The candidates represent a wide range of political and community experience.

The bigger names include longtime federal Conservative supporter and former school trustee Cindy Silver and Doreen MacKay-Dunn, who has name recognition as the wife of DNV Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn.

Mark Heieis, a co-chair with the Balmoral PAC, has been involved in the Balmoral-Carson amalgamation debate.

Cyndi Gerlach is taking her second stab at gaining a board seat after losing in the November election, while John Harvey is on his third go with school board after two previous council election losses.

Sheila Bouman is the co-founder and principal of Navigo Consulting and Coaching Inc., while Lynn Valley area resident Michael Sexsmith is listed as an employee of the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation.

The by-election is a result of Thornthwaite's departure for a seat at the provincial legislature.

After winning her second term to school board in November 2008 and being voted in as school board chair, Thornthwaite then sought and won a seat in Victoria with the BC Liberals. The new North Vancouver-Seymour MLA resigned as the school board chair June 30, 2009, necessitating the by-election in the District of North Vancouver.

The North Vancouver School District serves both the city and district of North Van and its board of education consists of three members elected from the city and four from the district.

Members are elected to serve a three-year term, and the latest board's term ends December 2011.

dpi@northshoreoutlook.com