The end of the week brought a frenzy of filings for city and school board offices. And one candidate wants to move from the Emporia school board to city commission.
Kevin Nelson, who was elected to the Emporia school board in 2003, filed Friday for a seat on the Emporia city commission, Susan Mendoza, Emporia city clerk, said. Nelson’s school board seat is one of four that are up for re-election this year.
The board will vote on member Jeff Larson’s resignation on Wednesday. He recently was appointed to take a seat as district judge. The seats held by Nelson, Jerry Fair and Grant Riles also are up for re-election.
Fair said this week she would not run again. Riles, who has been on the board for three terms, filed for re-election on Thursday morning.
Nelson said that switching from school board to city commission was a difficult decision.
“I just felt the last few years — with being involved with Emporia Enterprises and the commercial task force — that led me to be more interested and become more proactive with the city,” he said.
Nelson conducted a few straw polls last week and, gaining favorable comments, decided to file for city commission.
He was concerned, however, that school board candidates would come forward.
“Grant kind of took a little of the pressure off by him deciding to file again,” Nelson said.
On Friday afternoon, Brent Windsor of 2010 Briarcliff Lane became the second candidate to file for a school board seat, according to Karen Hartenbower, Lyon County clerk.
“Obviously you hope there are plenty of people in the city that are well qualified to help out,” said Nelson about more candidates deciding to run, “and hopefully some of those realize the timing is right for them and they’ll put forth their effort.”
Nelson recommended that people interested in running attend a school board meeting before the filing deadline of noon Jan. 23.
“We do have one board meeting before,” he said, “and I’d encourage people to do that.”
In North Lyon County, Sarah Meenen is the first to file for a school board seat.
She filed late Thursday, Hartenbower said. Meenen was first elected to the board in 2003 and represents the Americus district.