Voters across Freestone county return to the polls Saturday to elect city officials and school trustees, and decide whether to build a new high school in Wortham.

Polling locations, at school administration offices and city halls, are open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Wortham Independent School does not have to hold a trustee election this spring—-two candidates for a pair of spots on the board are unopposed—-but voters are asked whether they want a new high school.

The construction bond issue is for $7 million to build a new high school, make improvements at the football field and building a competition track if funding allows and a suitable location can be found.

Site of the new high school is directly west of the existing facility, across Fifth Street.

Reason for the project is crowded conditions in Wortham schools. Student enrollment has grown 45 percent over the past decade.

The existing high school was built in 1986 and a middle school wing was added in 1997.

Projected completion if bonds are approved is late 2011.

Returning to the WISD board without an election are incumbents Brent Jones in place three and Scott Spencer in place four.

Most crowded election field this week is for three at-large places on the Fairfield ISD board of trustees, for which seven candidates are running. On the ballot are incumbents Teresa Vandiver and LaCharles Bass, and Marcus Turner, Charlene Ward, Susan Keen, John Fryer and Tracie Ezell.

Two Fairfield city posts, those of mayor and place four on the council, are contested. Running for mayor are incumbent Roy Hill and challenger James Gunter, and for the remaining one year in place four are Donna Tyus and Scott Schick.

Unopposed on the Fairfield city ballot are incumbent councilmen Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr., in place one and Luke Ward, Jr., in place two.

A new mayor and four aldermen must be elected in Teague, with two of the aldermen positions to fill unexpired terms.

Running unopposed for Teague mayor is Earnest Pack, a former mayor, and for alderman is Chris Nickleberry in place four.

Contested races for full terms as aldermen are incumbent James Monks and David D. Huffman in place one, and John Scott Boyd and Garlan Steed in place three.

Three candidates are seeking the remaining year in place five on the Teague council, Terry W. Gibson, Tom Aderman and Rick Harris.

Teague ISD does not have to hold an election because candidates for two places are unopposed. Getting new terms are Brian Bowers in place two and incumbent Jeff Gonzales in place four.

Wortham city voters must choose among a half dozen candidates for three at-large seats on the county. Seeking those posts are incumbents Alber Hall, Cliff Nesmith and Frank McLellan, and challengers Judy Edwards, Scott Batts and Kelly Calame.

Streetman has a contested race for two places on its city commission. Running for those spots are incumbent Sherrill Minze, Carol North and Billy Godfrey.

Running unopposed for another term as Streetman mayor is Johnny Robinson.