Both Dawson County board of education members up for re-election July 20 plan to stay put.

The terms of Will Wade and Cecil Bennett expire in 2010, but both said they’ve just got too much work to do to call it quits.

“I feel like that I can still be of service to the board,” said Bennett March 4. “I’d like to be involved, to help make some of the best and toughest decisions we have to make.”

Bennett has served intermittently on the school board for the past 20 years. Bennett served as chairman of the board in 2009.

Wade, a six-year veteran of the board, is the current vice chairman.

He hopes to “help the schools in continuing to improve what’s working best in our system.”

Added Wade: “I really hope we can continue the path of recognition at the state and national level of our schools, as well as our system as a whole...If you’re going to aim, you might as well aim high.”

A Dawson County native, Wade is a senior vice president at First Citizens Bank. He and wife, Jennifer, attend Mill Creek Baptist Church.

Bennett is also a native of Dawson County. He works at Wal-Mart as the community involvement coordinator.

He and wife, Sandra, have three children, and seven grandchildren. They attend Liberty Baptist Church.

Bennett said he’s “looking forward to continuing to work with our board members.”

Wade said he’s learned a lot from fellow board members, and looks forward to “helping them to do the best possible job we can.”

As of press time, none had officially announced plans to go up against the incumbents. April 30 is the last day for candidates to qualify, and election day is July 20.