The Austin School Board has voted to transition its elections to even years, the same time as general elections.

Moving from odd to even years will save the district between $10,000 and $15,000, as well as time and energy in the business department.

About one-half of school districts in Minnesota went to even-year elections in 2003; today, at least two-thirds of districts have made the move.

Several years ago, some were concerned the school board election might become political, others worried it would become “lost” on the general election ballot, said Bruce Anderson, interim superintendent, during the school board meeting Monday.

“That has not been a reality,” Anderson said.

The board voted 5-0 Monday to approve the transition plan, with chairman Don Fox and board member Curt Rude absent.

It will take two cycles to bring the board back to four-year terms; those elected in 2009 and 2011 will serve three-year terms.

Primary elections will still be held if three or more candidates file for a position.

Terms for Richard Lees, David Simonson and Mary Kleis expire this November. Whomever is elected will serve three-year terms. Lees has served on the board since 1994 (two three-year terms followed by four-year terms), and Simonson has served since 1991 (two three-year terms followed by four-year terms). Elections moved to fall, with terms beginning in January instead of July, effective in November 1995.

Kleis is currently in her first term.

She confirmed Tuesday that she plans to run for re-election in November. “I’ve given it a lot of thought in the past year,” Kleis said.

Simonson said he never announces ahead of time whether or not he plans to run again. “I enjoy being on the board,” he said. “I just don’t like to make any big political statement like that.”

Lees said he is still deciding. “I really don’t know at this point,” he said.

Terms for Don Fox, Curt Rude, Diana Wangsness and Kathy Green expire in November 2011. Whomever is elected that year will also serve three-year terms.

Green is in her third term, while the other three are serving their first terms.

The 2007 election had the highest voter turnout for an Austin School Board election ever, some school officials said. Three new board members — Fox, Rude and Wangsness — were voted in, and Green was also re-elected.

Fox is believed to have tallied the highest number of votes ever in an Austin School Board election, while Rude had the second-highest.

The first day to file for school board candidates is July 7. If a primary election is needed, it will be held Sept. 15.

For more information about serving on the school board, a seminar, “Want to Be a School Board Member?” will be held Tuesday, April 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Austin Public School District Board Room. The fee is $5. Green and Kleis will be teaching this Austin Community Education class.