The Albert Lea Area Schools board will have a new configuration but no new faces after Tuesday’s election brings back two of three incumbents as well as two members who have previously served.

Dave Klatt and Jill Marin, both incumbents, will return to the board after Klatt received 17.1 percent of the votes and Marin received 15.3 percent. Dennis Dieser and Kim Nelson took the remaining two spots, bumping out incumbent Mark Ciota. Dieser received 18.56 percent of votes, Nelson 16.5 percent and Ciota 12.9 percent. Also running were Brian Anderson, who captured 9.99 percent of votes, and Kalli Rittenhouse, who took in 9.34 percent of votes.

Nelson said the previous experience of the elected representatives will be helpful for the district, as representatives have a base knowledge of how the board works.

During her upcoming time on the board, Nelson said she wants to see social-emotional issues addressed within the district as well as be a supporter of the athletic complex updates.

“I want to be intentional about, you know, moving that project forward and helping the community and communicate with the community on that progress,” she said.

Marin said she would like to use her upcoming term, which will be her fourth, to combat bullying and improve the climate and culture of the district. She said she is thankful for the voter support.

For Klatt, a second term is a chance to dig further into kindergarten readiness rates, which he said helps everyone at all levels.

“I’m really excited by (re-election), because I really do believe we’ve done some real good things over the last four — even more years than that,” Klatt said.

He would also like to see a continued increase in graduation rates as well as continue to oversee the Hammer Complex facilities updates: “From a facility standpoint right now, just doing the, just getting the referendum money all spent correctly to make sure the project we’re undertaking has done the best for the kids and voters,” he said.

Dieser said Wednesday morning he is looking forward to serving on the board and working together to “meet the ever-changing world of education.”

Moving forward, he would like to focus on the Pathways program for high school students as well as early childhood education, state testing and communication.

Ciota congratulated those who ran as well as those who won for the school board.

“I think with the three new members coming on and the nucleus of the board, it’s going to be a great board and I wish them well,” he said. “… I’ll stay active in the community and (am) looking forward to being involved in some of the activities and spending more time with my wife. I don’t have any regrets, and again, I wish them well.”

Nelson said she will be sad to see Ciota leave the board.

“I think, for me, I’m going to miss not having Mark Ciota on the board,” she said. “I think he’s been a champion for students.”

 

School board results

Brian Anderson: 3,104 votes

Mark Ciota: 4,011 votes

Dennis Dieser: 5,765 votes

Dave Klatt: 5,317 votes

Jill Marin: 4,753 votes

Kim Nelson: 5,121 votes

Kalli Rittenhouse: 2,900 votes

Write-in: 91 votes