After several years of consideration, Carolyn Dube finally decided to throw her name in the mix for one of the three open seats on the Austin Public School Board.

Dube, a 1997 Austin High School graduate and Austin native, filed to run for school board because she wants her children and others to share the same type of education experience she grew up with.

“This would be a great way for me to help make a positive impact for my kids and other kids in the community,” she said.

Dube has already gotten one vote of confidence, as outgoing board member Mary Jane Kestner, who is not seeking reelection, endorsed Dube.

Dube moved back to Austin with her family about four years ago. She has a background in education after teaching, and she now telecommutes as a curriculum specialist for Capella University.

Dube’s husband, Todd, is a counselor at Cornerstone Church. The couple has three children ages 4, 8 and 10.

Since their oldest is autistic, the Dubes know many special education teachers in the district. That’s also opened the family up to some of the inner workings of the district, and Dube said she’s gotten to see how dedicated Austin Public Schools staff is to students, which made her want to help others share a similar experience.

“I want to help others have that same experience,” she said.

With her own children in school, Dube has tracked many community education issues in recent years, such as Austin Aspires and the discussions on alternate school calendar options. Dube said she favors a balanced calendar to help students retain knowledge over the summer, but she understands why its a tough decision to consider moving away from a traditional calendar and would require a big change in town.

As an Austin native, Dube said she’s closely followed her hometown’s growth and changes over recent years.

“It’s been nice to really see how Austin has grown and become more diverse,” she said.

In her spare time, Dube and her family enjoy going for bike rides, going camping, playing board games and watching movies together.

Dube is happy to see her children attending Banfield Elementary School, the same school she attended, and she said Austin Public Schools has always been special to her.

“I’m just really excited about being able to potentially help all the kids in the district and keep their interest in mind in any decisions that are made or conversations that are had,” she said.

Dube’s parents, Dan and Janet Hooker, owned Donut Connection for more than 40 years before recently closing the business to retire.

Incumbents Richard Lees and Don Leathers along with newcomer Nathan Wradislavsky also filed for the three open seats on the board. The top three vote-getters from the Nov. 8 election will win seats on the board.

Look to the Herald in coming days for stories on Lees, Leathers and Wradislavsky.