Montgomery Co. school board elections features no races

Though voters are encouraged to participate in the Sept. 8 elections, there is little question about who will fill the vacant school board positions within Montgomery County.

The number of candidates is exactly the same as the number of board positions to be filled.

In Red Oak, Rod DeVries opted not to run again, and both Elizabeth Dilley and Warren Hayes are up for re-election.

That left one “new” spot, and Paul Griffen had filed for that position.

If elected, Griffen plans to use his familiarity with the responsibilities of educators and his background in finance as the school works through economic issues.

“The first thing, without a doubt, is the economic and budget things I can help with. I’ve started a business and I’ve had to learn how to set priorities. I think I can offer insight on how to allocate assets. I’ve done a lot of capital budgeting, building and managing facilities to make them as effective and as useful as possible,” Griffen said.

“I’m interested in the educational side because I have three kids in the system. Besides that, I’ve had family involved in various levels, from a teacher at high school to a professor at a university.”

In Stanton, David Bruning and Doug Maher decided they would not continue as board members. Both served either as president or vice-president over the course of their tenures of 12 and 13 years on the board.

Remaining board members are Jeff Magnuson and Paul Vanderholn, and Mark Lindgren is seeking re-election.

That leaves two open positions. Two men, Stanton businessman Brian Bates and Jeff Sorensen of rural Stanton have filed to fill those.

“I have deep roots here,” Bates said. “I graduated from Stanton and I have a child going to school in the district. I’m interested in how education will go for him and others in the community.

“As far as goals, I’d like to maintain the standard of excellence that’s been set by the faculty, board members and students,” Bates said.

Sorensen, another Stanton graduate, is wanting to get more involved in the education,

“One of the main reasons I’m running is that, to the best of my knowledge, both David (Bruning) and Doug (Maher) are stepping down, and they’ve been good men to have on the board.

“I have four children going to school in Stanton, so I’m thinking I’d like to be more involved in their education and what goes on with my children through the school. I’d like to be a part of that.”