10 candidates seeking 3 seats

An Albert Lea woman said she is running for Albert Lea School Board so she can use her perspective as a teacher to enhance student achievement.

Cynthia Gail, 58, of 1520 Ashley Court filed for election to the board Tuesday.

Gail — an art teacher at United South Central Public Schools — said she wants to be a part of an organization that nurtures teacher support, curriculum standards and after-school programming.

She said night classes could help students graduate, noting that she would support hiring a few part-time teachers to teach the night classes to alleviate the burden the classes would have on teachers who already work days.

“This would need to be something the students want and feel it would help them graduate,” Gail said, noting that students could

work days and take a few night classes to get their diploma.

Intervention to help increase graduation rates is needed, Gail said, who noted her belief that education needs to be supportive and nurturing.

“I want to see students graduate,” Gail said. “The stress of failure is real for many students.”

The district must invest in student academic and personal growth, Gail said.

Gail — who has four children and 11 grandchildren — credited their success to Albert Lea teachers and administration.

Joseph Ferguson also filed for election Tuesday. Multiple attempts to reach him were unsuccessful.

Eight other people filed for election to the board, including incumbent Vice Chairwoman Julie Johnson, Ellen Kehr, Aaron Phillips, Neal Skaar, Kendall Langseth, Ken Petersen, Angie Hanson and Sonjia Hill.

Incumbent board members Linda Laurie and Bill Leland did not file for election before the filing period ended on Tuesday.