SPRINGFIELD -- Four candidates competing for three slots, with 1 challenger.

That's the set-up for next Tuesday's Springfield School Board election.

Local trial attorney and self-described conservative Eric Jensen took his best shot at standing out Tuesday night at a League of Women Voters forum at Weaver School.

He had to.  He's the new guy.

Jensen boosted merit pay for teachers.

"I think you're going to see a move towards merit pay and incentives for the state to move towards merit pay," he said.

Jensen took aim at union organizing.

"I'm not so sure union leaders look out for the best interest of our children," he said.

And he predicted the eventual demise of No Child Left Behind.

"I think there's a move away from emphasis on federal direction," he said.

Candidates Andy Hosmer, school board president Kris Callen and 15-year board veteran Bruce Renner also showcased their strengths during the hour-long amicable forum.  Callen touted well-rounded experience as a mom of children in both the gifted and special education programs.  She noted she's visited all 50 district schools.  She's lived on both the north and south sides of town.  And, by the way, she's a woman.

Renner touted his long term of experience on the board.  He wants a budget process that starts earlier.  He called for more accountability measures to hold employees accountable.  He also warned the district is heading for some "tough times," due to the economic picture.

In a boost to unions, Hosmer said he trusted the district's employees to make the right decisions.  He called for an independent auditor to report to the school board -- not to the superintendent.  He said the district should lessen the emphasis of No Child Left Behind in its strategic plan.

But Jensen's job was more difficult.  He's trying to break through the pack.  He's asking for voters to take a chance on a fresh, yet more conservative perspective.

"I don't have a lot of history with the district. Some see that as a weakness. I see it as a strength," he said, referring to the baggage some incumbents carry because of loyalties to certain educational constituencies.

And by the end, Jensen even won praise from a rival, simply for forcing the debate to even occur.

"I'm glad Eric ran. I'm glad we have a contested election," said Hosmer in his closing remarks.

The top three vote-getters will sit on the new school board. 

Whichever slate wins will face a $4 million dollar projected deficit, a debate over merit pay and the impact of more employee unions.

The election is Tuesday.

For more on all the politics of the day, hit up the KY3 Political Notebook.

To read more of Dave Catanese's TWITTER updates from the School Board forum, click HERE.