Wanted: Lawrence school board candidates.

There is only one candidate so far for four spots opening on Lawrence’s school board.

Rich Minder, who was first elected four years ago, says he’s planning to run for re-election.

Another board member up for re-election, Leonard Ortiz, says he hasn’t made up his mind but is leaning against running.

And the other two – Sue Morgan, board president, and Cindy Yulich – say they plan to step down when their four-year terms end July 1. The filing deadline is noon Jan. 23 for the April 3 election, said Keith Campbell, deputy of elections for Douglas County.

No school board candidates have filed for office yet, Campbell said. If there are eight or more candidates who file, a primary will be held Feb. 27.

‘Very rewarding’

Minder is the only candidate planning to run so far.

Minder, who was elected in 2003, is collaborative projects coordinator for Success by 6, a coalition of agencies and individuals working to improve early childhood education programs in the county.

“I’m very excited about where we’re going as a district, and some of the work that we’ve done in the past four years while I’ve been on the board,” Minder said. “I’m interested in continuing that work.”

He said he was “very excited” about the amount of technology that’s being used in education.

Also, he said he felt a responsibility to run again because other board members were planning to step down.

“I’d like to provide as much continuity as I can by helping for another term,” he said.

He said some people tell him they wonder why he likes serving on the school board, because it doesn’t come with any salary compensation.

“It’s really very rewarding,” Minder said. “I’m constantly trying to figure out why everybody thinks it’s such a bad deal. I know that you don’t get paid and you spend a lot of hours on it. But what could be more rewarding than governing an organization of highly trained professionals whose sole purpose is to advance learning? It’s just great.”

Leaning against

“I haven’t really come to a decision yet,” Ortiz said earlier this week. “I am leaning against running right now. But I can’t say for sure until I’ve talked it over with my wife.

“My career has kind of been put on hold while I’ve been taking part in the board functions. I need to assess where I’m at with that and how much time I still have available.”

Ortiz teaches American history at Washburn University in Topeka and Baker University in Baldwin City.

Ortiz, who was first elected in 2003, said that during his term, voters approved a bond issue in 2005 that has led to construction projects at the junior high and high school level.

And there have been improvements in teachers’ salaries and an implementation of new technology throughout the district.

“The morale just seems to be better,” he said. “There’s more minority awareness. It’s been great just meeting a lot of wonderful people who are doing some really neat things in the district. It’s been pretty extraordinary.”

Not running

Yulich, who was elected in 2003, said she wouldn’t run for re-election.

“This will be it. My term will end in July. : I’ve enjoyed the time and I’ve learned a lot,” Yulich said. “But I’ve got to focus on my day job.”

Yulich is senior vice president at Emprise Bank in Lawrence.

“The time that it takes to try to be a good school board member is a lot,” she said. “I’ve got a full-time job and need to focus my energy on that.”

Yulich said she was somewhat surprised when she found out the amount of time it takes to be a board member.

“It’s not just Monday night meetings,” she said. “We’re on a lot of committees. We’re expected to be at a lot of different places and at a lot of different things. To do it right, it does take a bit of time. : The bank’s been happy to have me do that for four years, but it’s a long commitment.”

Sue Morgan, who is finishing her eighth year on the board, said she wouldn’t run for a third term.

“Just for personal reasons, I’m thinking it’s time to do something else,” said Morgan, who is board president. “I’ve enjoyed it. It’s been great. I’ve learned a lot as well as hoped that I’ve been able to be of some service. I think new blood is good, too, and to give some other folks a chance.”

Morgan said during the last eight years, the board has tried to make its decisions based on students’ needs.

“We’ve become a very student-focused district and organization, I think even more so than in the past,” she said.

Morgan said Superintendent Randy Weseman has done a good job at keeping the board focused on that goal.

“We always need to be asking the question, ‘How does this impact the kids? How does this impact our ability to meet the needs of all of the students?'” Morgan said.

• 6News Video: Does anyone want to be on the Lawrence School Board?