Three seats open on school board Three seats open on school board (July 16, 2003)

So far, one incumbent, one parent show interest in vacancies

by Rachel Metz

So far only one incumbent and a Palo Alto parent have shown interest in the three vacant school board seats on the November ballot.

Currently, Keen Butcher, a Palo Alto parent who has never run for election locally, and incumbent Gail Price have confirmed interest in running for a seat. School board president Mandy Lowell and board member John Tuomy are also up for re-election.

"I can't think of anything that would stop me now," said Butcher, who has yet to file the paper work.

Candidates have until Aug. 8 to file for the Nov. 4 election. If an incumbent doesn't file for re-election, the period will be extended to Aug. 13 for non-incumbents.

Butcher, a banker, thinks key issues in the coming year are going to be budget-based, an area where he could lend a helping hand. He served on the Fairmeadow Elementary School PTA this past year.

"For the school district it's just continuing a great tradition and I could be helpful in that process," Butcher said.

Lowell, elected in 1999, thinks a lack of burning issues in the district may influence the candidate pool.

"When they were likely to close Gunn High School and we would only have one high school, you saw a whole group of people filing and running because they were upset about that decision," Lowell said, later adding, "There aren't issues that people feel the board is so out of touch they need to put new people on it."

Yet, Lowell is not sure whether she'll run for re-election.

"I haven't really thought about it or talked to the people I need to talk to," Lowell said.

Price said she knows some locals are considering filing for candidacy, but she could not say whom.

"I think it's important for people to step up, particularly in challenging periods, and I hope the Palo Alto community will recognize that and step forward," Price said.

As for Price, she's cemented her decision.

"I've been thinking about it in the course of the first term and there are a lot of things that need to be still addressed," said Price, who was elected in 1999.

She thinks board continuity is important. She mentioned budgets and fundraising as important topics for the board to cover in the future.

"There are a lot of other issues related to making sure that we maintain and enhance the quality of the teaching and learning that occurs in our schools with continued emphasis on professional development," said Price, who works as a senior transportation planner with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority .

Tuomy, a current school board member who has served since 1995, will not seek re-election. Without elaboration, he said if he felt it was necessary to run for re-election he would.

Tuomy grew up in Palo Alto and is in the twilight of his second school board term. He has worked as a teacher in Palo Alto and currently works in hi-tech security.

"I've enjoyed working with my colleagues on the board. I've worked with a wonderful group of people," Tuomy said.

Rachel Metz can be e-mailed at rmetz@paweekly.com