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A fourth person threw her name in the hat for the Albert Lea school board on Tuesday on what was the last day of filing for three open seats on the board.

Kasey Wolters, who previously ran for the board in 2022, said when the filing period opened, she didn’t initially plan to seek election, but during the two-week period, many people who supported her two years ago when she ran for office asked her to run again.

“My passion for being at the board table to ask questions and represent parents, students and staff has not changed,” Wolters said. “We need to increase diversity of opinions on our board by adding a parent voice.”

Wolters is a lifelong resident of Albert Lea, an alumni of Albert Lea Area Schools and the mother of a current student.

Some of the issues she would like to be a part of with the district include improving transparency and communication between the district, families, the board and staff, along with the school calendar, the budget and student safety. She is also interested in the district’s governance model and board involvement, student success, curriculum and enrollment.

Wolters said her passion about the future success of the district and its students makes her a good candidate for the position.

She has attended school board meetings for over three years and is familiar with how the board operates.

“I communicate with other parents regularly and interact with district staff,” she said. “I am not afraid to ask questions, work hard or think outside the box.”

She credited the teachers in Albert Lea, who she described as phenomenal, and said she thinks the students are the future of the community.

“If we optimize our potential as a school district by empowering teachers and preparing our kids to be successful in life, we are not only improving our community, but our state and country as well,” she said. “My son is everything to me, and I know every parent in our district feels the same. I’m running for them, I’m running for you, and I’m running to bring a parent’s voice to the Albert Lea school board.”

She said she looks forward to getting to know community members more during the campaign and asked for their support.

Wolters works as a loan setup supervisor at AmeriNat and has worked in the financial industry for almost 20 years. She also serves as treasurer for both the LESO (Lakeview Elementary School Organization) and the Freeborn County Republicans. She serves in different areas of her church, including teaching Sunday school to preschoolers.

Wolters will face off against Mary Jo Dorman and incumbent board members Angie Hoffman and Neal Skaar.