Nierengarten joins school board race

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- One more New Ulm resident joined the list of candidates running for four vacant seats on the District 88 school board on Friday, bringing the total to six.

Assistant City Attorney Susan Nierengarten joins the ballot with former school board member Renee Otis, Habilitative Services Inc group home supervisor Barb Becker; Farmers Cooperative of Hanska supervisor Rick Berg, New Ulm Medical Center human resources employee Deborah Hertling and book store owner Sheldon Rieke.

Nierengarten, 48, has been a resident of New Ulm for the past 23 years. She is an attorney and co-owner of the law firm Nierengarten and Hippert Ltd. She is married to City Attorney Hugh Nierengarten and has two daughters attending District 88 schools.

She has served in a variety of civic and church activities through the years, and has worked as a volunteer within District 88, including coaching the mock trial program at the high school.

She is currently on the advisory board for the Brown County Teen Court Program.

Her reason for running stems from her volunteer efforts with the district over the years. Nierengarten said she is not running because of a single issue. She believes the district needs a board that can help keep it financially sound while providing the best services and education.

Otis, 42, served on the District 88 Board from July 1994-December 1998. A native of Houston, she has lived in New Ulm for the past 20 years. She received her bachelor's degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May and is currently working on her master's degree in social work at Augsburg College, and her master's degree in theology at Luther Seminary, both in St. Paul.

She defines herself as a full-time, stay-home mom who attends school in her spare time. She has five children, all of whom attended New Ulm public schools. She currently has three attending school.

She lives outside the proposed busing limits for the junior high school, but is affected by the limits for Washington School.

She believes her previous experience on the board and her concerns for creating a balance within the budget between academics and other needs are important issues.

The four-year terms of David Leuthe, Brian Wieland, Gene Forstner and Don Potter will expire on Dec. 31. As of Friday, none of the incumbents have filed for re-election.

Of the incumbents, Wieland has stated he probably will run again, Forstner has not made up his mind yet; Leuthe declined to comment; and Potter could not be reached for comment.

Candidates have until 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12 to announce their intent to run.

In order to file, candidates must be 21 upon taking office; be a resident of the district at least 30 days prior to the day of the election; be a registered voter; must not be convicted of any sex crimes; and must not have filed for any other office in the general election.

Candidates may announce their intent at the superintendent's office in the annex by paying a $2 filing fee.

The election takes place Nov. 7.