Ok, just getting thru more posts and discovered you are looking at school board candidates as one part. Candidates have to be on record with the school district. You can call the district to get names of candidates. I have been known to call candidates at home to ask why they are running, what their goals are etc. But my town had 2000 people only. Got the phone numbers when I got the names from the school office.
Same principle goes for county, district or municipality. Call the office and ask names of candidates. They should be able to give you an idea how to contact the people, or maybe that’s a small town thing, not sure. I would anticipate that a town big enough for a newspaper would print candidate information or interviews. I know Waco does. LOL...rule of thumb, if the paper backs someone, vote for the other guy.
General elections are on even years.
Municipal elections are on odd years.