Cliff Buchan
News Editor

When Dan Kieger lost a close school board election last fall, he did not drop from sight nor say farewell to being involved in the school process.

Kiegerís commitment and dedication to ISD 831 items of interest has helped elevate the Lino Lakes man to a vacant seat on the school board.

By way of a 4-2 vote on July 11, Kieger has won the seat on the school board that he failed to achieve last November when he finished fourth in the contest that elected three seats on the school board.

Kieger, a self-employed security system sales and installation contractor, was one of four candidates to interview for the seat vacated by Keith Dunhamís resignation. The seat, now in its third year of a four-year term, will be up for election in the fall of 2007.

The board, meeting in special session, also interviewed David Homyak and Jim Noll, both of Forest Lake, and Linda Nanko-Yeager of Wyoming. A fifth candidate, Tim Garry of Forest Lake, withdrew prior to the interviews.

Kieger got the seat behind votes from President Bill Bresin, Joe Grafft, Rob Rapheal and Julie Corcoran. Members David Gay and Eric Langness, two of the three candidates elected last fall, did not support Kieger.

While the board had high praise for the four candidates who interviewed last week, the four members who backed Kieger said his willingness to run last fall and continue to work on behalf of the district were factors heavily in his favor.

With more than 20 years of involvement in the community through various avenues, Kieger said he felt it time for his contribution in other ways. ìI like dealing with kids,î Kieger said.

Kieger currently serves on the boardís building and grounds committee and was involved in the strategic planning process that the district commenced this year. He is a past president of the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association.

Others speak

Along with Kieger, the other three applicants expressed general support for the boardís upcoming fall levy vote to raise dollars for the general fund.

Homyak, a self-described fiscal conservative, said he had no agenda in seeking the seat. He said he worked to encourage stronger political and volunteer involvement by students while making sure the district continues to deliver quality public education.

Homyak said he was impressed with the districtís ability to produce strong results during times of financial shortcomings. ìIím amazed at what Forest Lake does with what it has,î he said.

Nanko-Yeager, a 16-year district resident, said she has a passionate interest in the school district and would bring a fresh perspective to the board.

If appointed, she said she would work to improve the districtís customer service as a means of improving the districtís standing with some in the district.

Noll, who spent 30 plus years in the military, active and reserve, and recently retired as a teacher in the district after 35 years, said he was at a point in his life where he was now able to contribute in other ways.

Each applicant was asked to state a view regarding the communityís perspective of the district, staff and school board.

From his conversations, Noll said he has detected a perception of poor financial management by the district and a lack of credibility in the school board. Noll said he did not share that perception, but said work needs to be done to correct any issues from the past.

ìThere is a healing that needs to take place,î Noll said.

With his many years of community involvement and contacts, Noll said he could help to that end and could help restore school board credibility.

ìThat needs to be restored,î he said. ìIs that true? I donít know. There is a perception that is out there.î

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Forest Lake Times
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880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
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