Editorial: Board made its choice; now it's your turn

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The District 196 School Board was in an enviable position last Thursday. Board members had seven candidates to interview for a vacant seat at their side, and looking at their options it’s hard to believe they could have gone too far wrong.

The candidates who interviewed last week had a wide range of experience to bring to the table. They were lawyers and police officers. At least one had been a teacher. And many had been active in the district as classroom volunteers, DARE instructors or members of districtwide committees.

All of the applicants are active in a number of ways, and that makes sense. As board chair Jackie Magnuson said following the interviews, if you want to get something done, ask a busy person.

The board’s eventual choice, Eagan resident Gary Huusko, has several years of experience as a member of the district’s budget advisory committee. That knowledge will no doubt come in handy as the district continues its work to keep a balanced budget.

Huusko also currently serves on the district’s strategic planning committee, he helped incorporate the District 196 Foundation and he is on the advisory board for the Dakota County Technical College Institute for Business.

It’s an impressive resume, and Huusko should at the least be well informed when he starts making decisions Nov. 14. We look forward to seeing what Huusko brings to the board.

So, that’s one seat filled. It’s up to voters now to fill four more when they go to the polls next week.

That choice is equally compelling, with a mix of experienced incumbents and newcomers who could bring valuable insight to the board.

We said it last week in this space, but we hope Rosemount residents get out and vote on Tuesday. We believe the district has filled its first vacancy with a good candidate. Now it’s up to voters to make good choices at the polls.

Tags: opinion, rosemount, editorials