Kathy Green hopes to continue bringing her various skills to Austin schools.

Green filed earlier this week to seek her fifth term on the Austin Public Schools board.

“Community service and public policy have been my interest for my adult life,” Green said.

Green hopes to continue using the budget money as efficiently as possible, being aware and connected to what the schools need, and keeping the focus on children.

She wants to work with extracurricular programs to make sure they continue creating opportunities for children.

“I think that the work we’re doing in Austin is important,” Green said.

Over the years, Green has followed issues like No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, and currently Common Core standards. She has been glad for the opportunity to bring quality enrichment to school programs over her past terms.

“One of my real strong points is understanding education policy,” Green said.

Green received a bachelor’s degree for dental hygiene at the University of Minnesota and has been involved in multiple facets of the school system. She’s served on the school board for about 15 years and has served as a director for Minnesota Schools Boards Association representing Southeastern Minnesota. She also represents school boards as a trustee and vice president for the Minnesota Public Employee Retirement Association.

Green said she is well organized, able to communicate complex issues, and has a desire to research and connect dots with everything from education policy to curriculum.

“I think one of my real skill sets is I love kids,” Green said.

A mother of five sons, Green has been connected to Austin schools outside of the school board. With her dental hygiene degree, she also helps her husband with his dental practice.