The first official candidate has emerged in the upcoming April 3 election for four seats on the Lawrence school board.

Marlene Merrill, who currently chairs the Lawrence Arts Commission, is the only candidate who has filed so far, said Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew.

Shew said Merrill, a former school district administrator, filed last Thursday for the office without any fanfare.

Merrill, who could not be immediately reached, is former director of assessments for the district.

Board members whose four-year terms expire this year are Sue Morgan, board president; Cindy Yulich, Rich Minder and Leonard Ortiz.

Minder has said he plans to run for re-election and Ortiz has said he is leaning against it. Yulich and Morgan both say they won’t run again.

The filing deadline is noon Jan. 23. If more than eight candidates emerge, a primary will be held on Feb. 27.