Lawrence school board President Scott Morgan today confirmed he will run for re-election.

Morgan said his candidacy would be inseparable from his advocacy for the proposed $59 million bond issue for construction and renovation of schools.

“If people are opposed to the bond, then they are opposed to me,” he said.

Morgan, 45, has journalism and law degrees from Kansas University. He worked in Washington for then-Sen. Bob Dole and the U.S. Senate, before taking a job in Topeka with then-Gov. Mike Hayden.

After a year in private law practice, he helped start Morgan Quitno Press, an independent publishing and research firm in Lawrence.

Four seats on the seven-person board will be decided April 1. The bond issue also will be on that ballot.

So far, Morgan is only the second candidate to declare. Banker Cindy Yulich filed in December.

Morgan said the job of school board member had proven painful and rewarding. He decided he couldn’t walk away from the board at this pivotal time, given the board’s intention to close three elementary schools and implement significant school improvement projects.

“If this community can show the foresight to do what is right for our kids and approve the bond, then I want to be there to help see the changes implemented as promised,” he said.

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