Updated: School Board Field Begins to Take Shape for 2013 Election

Update: 4:25 p.m., Monday, Aug. 12

The district sent out an updated list of those who have filed for the South Washington County School Board election.

Filings received as of 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12, include incumbents Tracy Brunnette (Cottage Grove), David Kemper (Woodbury) and Katy McElwee-Stevens (Newport), who have filed for four-year terms. Frederick E. Hess (Woodbury), Katie Schwartz (St. Paul Park), John P. Griffin II (Woodbury), Molly Lutz (Woodbury), Leilani Holmstadt (Cottage Grove), Sharon H. Van Leer (Woodbury), Raj Gandhi (Woodbury), and Mike Thissen (Woodbury) have also filed for four-year terms. Incumbent Laurie Johnson (Woodbury) has filed for the two-year term.

Original post

The filing period for the 2013 District 833 School Board election closes Tuesday, Aug. 13.

Aside from board member Marsha Adou, the incumbents have filed for re-election.

There are four seats open for four-year terms and one two-year school board position on this year’s ballot.

Those who have filed for four-year terms, according to the Secretary of State’s website, include:

• Tracy Brunnette, of Cottage Grove (i)
• David Kemper, of Woodbury (i)
• Katy McElwee-Stevens, of Newport (i)
• Frederick E. Hess, of Woodbury
• Katie Schwartz, St. Paul Park

Incumbent Laurie Johnson, of Woodbury, has filed for the seat for the two-year term.

On Monday, Aug. 12, Molly Lutz also announced her intention to run for the South Washington County School Board. Her release:

Active District 833 parent Molly Lutz is excited to announce her candidacy for School Board.

Molly currently serves as President of the Woodbury Middle School PTO and has been a member of the District 833 Communicators Committee since 2006.  In addition, Molly has served as President of the Woodbury Elementary School PTO and has served on the interview committee for the hiring of three district principals.

Her volunteer opportunities have provided Molly with more than a decade of experience as a leader in the school community. She now believes it is time for something more.

“I would like to represent the community on the School Board for long range planning. The school district impacts our children on a daily basis in preparing students for success. The taxpayers and children of our community expect and deserve the best education for a bright future.”

Molly and her husband Chris have two daughters at Woodbury Middle School and Woodbury High School. She is also an active volunteer at St. Ambrose church and was recently a Host Parent of an International Exchange program student.

Adou

Adou announced last week that she would not seek re-election.

“It has been an honor to serve the students, community and the school district for the past eight years,” Adou said in a release from South Washington County Schools. “My commitment to our local schools began in 1987, I didn’t have school age children but I volunteered on district committees. As my children started school I also got involved at the school level. This was invaluable experience and made the transition as a school board member go smoothly. I would encourage anyone that is thinking of running for the board now or in the future to have experience at the school and district level, as it will help with the steep learning curve of being a board member.”

Filing

The filing period closes at 5 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Affidavits of candidacy will be available from the school district clerk at the District Service Center, 7362 E. Point Douglas Road S., in Cottage Grove. The filing fee for this office is $2.

The affidavits of candidacy must be filed in the office of the school district clerk on Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the filing fee paid prior to 5 p.m. on Aug. 13.

Find more information on the district’s website.

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