Lees to run again

Published 10:08 am Wednesday, June 10, 2009

An Austin School Board member has announced he plans to run for another term this fall.

Vice chairman Richard Lees said he will throw his hat in the ring in November. He and clerk Mary Kleis, who is on her first term, are the only current board members who have confirmed their candidacy. David Simonson, a board member since 1991, said he will not announce what his plans are.

Lees, who has served on the board since 1994 (two three-year terms followed by four-year terms), has been working for 14 years as a correctional officer for youth and adults in Mower County. He has also taught science from fourth grade through college, where he was an adjunct geology instructor.

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“I just think (I have) a lot of experience,” Lees said Tuesday. “I am familiar with the committee work.”

Lees, who had not officially registered his candidacy as of Tuesday, said he believes his experience will be beneficial now that a new superintendent, David Krenz, will be coming on board July 1.

Terms for other board members — Don Fox, Curt Rude, Diana Wangsness and Kathy Green — expire in 2011.

The school board voted this year to move its election to even years to coincide with the general election. Those elected in 2009 and 2011 will serve three-year terms.

If three or more candidates file for a position, a primary election will be held.