Otis first to file for Dist. 88 school board

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- One local resident showed up Tuesday to file for one of the four open seats on the New Ulm Public Schools Board of Education.

Former school board member Renee Otis of New Ulm will have her name on the ballot for the general election on Tuesday Nov. 7.

The four-year terms of David Leuthe, Brian Wieland, Dave Forstner, and Don Potter will be expiring in December.

Residents may file any time between now and 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, which is the day of the Minnesota State Primary election.

Those wishing to file must pay a $2 filing fee at the superintendent's office. They must be an eligible voter, may not be running for any other office, must be 21 years of age or older upon assuming office, may not be registered as a sex offender, and a resident of the district at least 30 days prior to the day of the election.

In surrounding districts, incumbent Mary Jo Boots filed for one of four open positions in Redwood Area Schools. Board member Bob Finley resigned Monday night, because he has moved out of the district.

In other districts, no filings were registered as of Tuesday afternoon.

There are three open positions in Comfrey, Sleepy Eye, Madelia and GFW Schools. Board member Sonya Dettmann resigned from the board Monday night, because she will be moving to Iowa. The board voted to leave the position open until after the November election. Her term expires in December, but whoever wins the election will be appointed to serve the remainder of the term, and will continue until 2004.

There are four open positions in Red Rock Central and Sibley East Schools. There are five open positions in Springfield and Belview.

Nicollet Schools has no open board positions this year, because their elections are held in odd-numbered years. Their next election will be held in 2001.

"We found it easier when we hold school board elections in opposite years, because there is nothing else on the ballot," Superintendent John Hornung said. "It brings more people out to vote for school board elections."