Leopold School Board: Jim Thele

Age: 44

Place of birth: Cape

Spouse, children's names:

Spouse: Crystal

Son: Garrett

Occupation: President - Electrical Contractors Inc.

Employer: ECI

Businesses owned, all or part: ECI

Previous offices held or sought:

Leopold R-3 School Board Member - 2 terms

Do you currently hold the office for which you are running? Yes

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing your school district?

Budget concerns are among the top problems in any district, especially one such as ours. Government funding has declined in recent years, mainly because of declining enrollment, yet we must continue to offer and provide the best education possible for our students. The current administration, teachers, parents, and community have continually stepped up to make sure this is possible.

If elected, do you have any plans for improving the school district?

My plan is to continue to keep things on the right track. I will continue to push for new programs that will help our students compete when they graduate. With a graduating senior, I will no longer have any children in school. Yet, out of the deep respect I have for this school system, I feel it's necessary to continue to represent not only the parents with children in school, but also those folks without.

What makes you the most qualified candidate for this position? My experience and working relationship with the existing board members and administration.