All three incumbents up for re-election on the Aubrey school board drew opponents, with seven candidates running for at-large seats in Places 1, 2 and 3 on Saturday’s ballot.

In Place 1, incumbent Ray David faces Dr. R. Joey Saxon and Chuck Longhenry. Place 2 incumbent Mike Sessions faces John Brogdon. Ben Waldron challenges incumbent Ron Bullock for his Place 3 seat.

Early voting ends at 7 p.m. today at the school district’s Central Administration Building, 415 Tisdell Lane. On Saturday, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the administration building and at Aubrey City Hall, 107 S. Main St.

Place 1

David, 43, who’s served on the board for four years, said that financially, the district is “at a pinch” and school board members must be familiar with the district’s fiscal past to move forward.

“Right now, given what Austin is doing with our budgets, experience is needed,” he said.

David, president of Point Bank and an accountant, said he brings a business perspective and an understanding of bond markets to the board.

In his time on the board, David said, the district’s bond rating has improved, which has saved taxpayers more than $7.8 million, and teachers’ salaries have increased by about 25 percent. Also, the district has maintained an average tax rate in comparison to the county and is in the process of completing a bond package, he said.

David said he offers “conservative views that don’t hit taxpayers financially.”

Saxon, 38, said he, too, can bring finance experience to the board. Saxon, director of purchasing and accounts payable at the University of North Texas, said “tough decisions” are ahead and he would represent students, parents, teachers and taxpayers as to how money is allocated.

Saxon said his department at UNT is always looking for ways to “stretch the dollar further.” He said he hopes to offer the same principles in Aubrey.

“In today’s world, with funding as tight as it is, we have to be innovative to look for ways to stretch our fundraising while at the same time providing quality education for our students,” Saxon said.

He said he wants to see a district that attracts and retains teachers and communicates more with the public.

Longhenry declined an interview, citing in an e-mail that Aubrey residents “already know who I am and what I stand for.”

Place 2

Sessions, 60, said he sees the district facing challenges similar to those in 1987, when property values dropped and the community relied on the school board to be fiscally responsible. Sessions served a three-year term from 1989 to 1992, and has served on the board continuously since 1999.

The retired firefighter and paramedic said that in his professional role, he handled annual budgets larger than $10 million.

Sessions said the district should look at any way to save money. He said he would like to see programs to prepare students for post-secondary school and allow them to compete globally.

Brogdon did not respond to questions he requested be sent to him by e-mail.

Place 3

Bullock, 52, said he’s proud of what the board has accomplished in the 12 years he’s served and he’s passionate about continuing that work. He said the school board needs members with a “deep understanding of the critical issues that the district faces and will continue to face.”

Bullock works as a senior marketing director and broker in Denton. With 24 years in the commercial real estate business and experience with large budgets, he said he understands what it takes to successfully operate a budget. In his job, he said, he’s had to be responsible to owners; on the school board, he said, he’s responsible to the district and taxpayers.

Waldron could not be reached for comment.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .

RAY DAVID

Ray David

Occupation: certified public accountant and president of Point Bank

Age: 43

Education: bachelor’s degree in accounting, University of North Texas, 1989; Graduate School of Banking at Colorado, 2001

Career: Point Bank, 1999-present; certified public accountant, 1989-1999

DR. R. JOEY SAXON

Dr. R. Joey Saxon

Occupation: director of purchasing and accounts payable at the University of North Texas

Age: 38

Education: bachelor’s degree in business, UNT, 1992; master’s degree in business, UNT, 1996; doctorate in education, UNT, 2004

Career: Has worked a total of 19 years in the UNT finance department.

CHUCK LONGHENRY

Occupation: founder of Longhenry Industries, a construction company

Age: 43

Education: Information not available

Career: Information not available

MIKE SESSIONS

Mike Sessions

Occupation: retired firefighter and paramedic

Age: 60

Education: Pilot Point High School, 1967; associate’s degree in fire science, Tarrant County College, 1978

Career: Began work for the Denton Fire Department in 1974 and retired as a division chief in 2005. He also served a tour in Vietnam prior in the U.S. Army as a tactical microwave technician. He also worked in the 39th Signal Battalion headquarters.

JOHN BROGDON

Occupation: self-employed

Age: 58

Education: Information not available

Career: Information not available

RON BULLOCK

Ron Bullock

Occupation: senior marketing and broker employee for a commercial real estate company

Age: 52

Education: bachelor’s degree in history/political science, Southern Methodist University, 1980; attended St. Mary’s University School of Law, 1980-81

Career: Midway Development Co., director of marketing and executive vice president, 1981-1991; president and owner, The Bullock Co., 1991-1997; vice president, Cawley Wilcox Realty, 1997- 2004; senior marketing employee and senior broker, Scott Brown Commercial, 2004-present

BEN WALDRON

Occupation: self-employed

Age: 36

Education: Information not available

Career: Information not available