NEWARK -- City voters will head to the polls next month to elect three members of the School Advisory Board -- a crucial choice as the state moves toward returning local control of Newark schools.

Sixteen candidates filed petitions by Monday's deadline, including Philip C. Seelinger, who is the only board member seeking re-election.

Among the more recognized names is Deborah Terrell, a former teacher and principal who was appointed by the state as interim superintendent of Newark schools in 2011.

This year, the "Newark Unity" slate -- a partnership between Mayor Ras Baraka, charter school advocates and other local political heavyweights -- includes Reginald Bledsoe, Flohisa Johnson and Josephine Garcia.

Officials created the unity slate last year, despite ongoing disagreements, to move past the often hostile rhetoric that can define elections. The focus, they said, should be on improving schools.

"It was more than just a political coalition," North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said during a press conference last week announcing the slate. "It was a partnership that was intended to better prepare our city as we regain local control."

Once the state hands over the reins, the local board will pick its superintendent and decisions will no longer be subject to a state veto. That means the three board members along with the rest of the board already in place will have power over the district's purse strings.

The state took over the district in 1995 and since 2007 has returned three of the five areas of control to the board: operations in 2007, fiscal management in 2014 and personnel in 2016. The state is expected to return the areas of governance and instruction by the fall of 2017.

Other candidates in the running include:

Patricia J. Bradford

Anthony Diaz

Denise Cole

Josephine C. Garcia

EZDehar Abu Hatab

Jameel Ibrahim

Charles Love

Shelia Montague

Sharon Smith

Swapan Basu

Ryan Talmadge

Jimmie White

Board chair Antoinette Baskerville-Richardson and board member Donald G. Jackson, Jr. did not file for re-election.

Newark is one of 18 school districts still holding board elections and budget approvals in April. In Essex County, Irvington is also holding school board elections and voting on approving its budget.

District officials said the list of candidates could change as candidates have until March 13 to amend a defective petition or withdraw from the April 25 election.

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.