Over the past 20 years. Richard Lees has seen many changes within the Austin Public School district as member of the school board, and he wants to be a part of the next four years as well. Lees recently filed to run for school board this November.

“It’s interesting work, and I have the time and experience,” he said.

Lees has an extensive history working in the district, as both as teacher and board member.

He was a teacher in Austin for more than 35 years, with five years teaching at Riverland Community College, and has overseen many changes made to the school district over the years. When he first began in 1994, there was no I.J. Holton Intermediate School, dome over Wescott, or Woodson Kindergarten Center.

Things have changed greatly, and Lees expects the trend to continue.

“We’ve changed a lot of things during my time,” he said. “There is no status quo. [The district] is continually changing, and administration and the school board must keep up with these changes.”

Although the board has worked through many issues during his time, he still feels that language barriers are a problem between parents and staff.

“It’s still an issue we must continue to work on and one that has made things more difficult,” Lees said.

Three seats are open for election on Nov. 8. School board members serve four-year terms.

Along with Leathers, fellow incumbent Richard Lees and newcomers Carolyn Dube and Nathan Wradislavsky also filed for the three open seats on the board. The top three vote-getters from the Nov. 8 election will win seats on the board.