Arnold Lang was born, raised and educated in Austin.

Thursday, September 16, 1999

Arnold Lang was born, raised and educated in Austin. The AHS grad then went on to forge a career in education, during which he was, at any one time, a teacher, a school psychologist or a school administrator working in Iowa, Wyoming or Michigan.

He retired as the associate superintendent of a regional educational district in Michigan. Upon retirement, he and his family returned to Austin last summer.

"All paths lead home," said Lang, who has joined 16 other candidates in running for four open seats in the Austin Board of Education’s Nov. 2 election.

"I’ve been in education all my life," he said. "I can be a resource and be of service."

Lang said he got a real taste for working on a school board when he was the acting executive officer on a school board in Michigan.

"I have been inside the system at all levels," Lang said. "I appreciate the needs and challenges at all of those levels."

Lang has been through the school district budget process more than once. He knows what a tight-rope walk it can be. He returned to Austin in the midst of the school district’s budget overspending and subsequent budget cuts in the middle of the 1998-99 school year.

Lang said he is sensitive to needs of taxpayers.

"When dealing with public funds, it’s public information," Lang said, then illustrated his point further. "When my son asks me for $100, what’s the first thing I’m going to say to him?

"What is it for? That’s a fair question."

Lang is married and has a son in Austin High School and another son in preschool. He also is a father and grandfather from his previous marriage as well.

As parent/grandparent, citizen/taxpayer, and retired educator, Lang believes that he could bring a unique perspective to the school board.

"I have fond memories of my own education in Austin," Lang said. "It’s no different now than it was then. The people want to give their children the best possible education they can."

Lang is the older brother of city council member Dick Lang, the east side’s favorite son.

But Arnold and his family just moved into a home in the northwest part of town. He is intent on forging his own identity.

With a school board election coming and the turn of the century to follow, he may have his chance.

"With the millennium coming up," Lang said, "we’re going to face challenges and opportunities like never before. That’s exciting to me. I want to be a part of it."