Steamboat Pilot & Today

The seven-member South Routt School District Board of Education is guaranteed at least one new member come November, when voters will shuffle into booths and punch their selections in five races.

The number of new School Board members could double if Clyde Iacovetto is able to unseat a close friend and the incumbent, Kevin Gneiser, in the District 3 race.

Iacovetto, a Vail Valley crane operator and father of two South Routt students, said he wanted to bring a fresh point of view to the school district.

"I really have no agenda," Iacovetto said Thursday. "I just want to kind of put in my two bits."

He said he would bring political experience to the School Board, having served six years on the Oak Creek Town Council.

"I always try to look at both sides of an issue," Iacovetto said. "Sometimes I'm able to bring up issues no one's thought of."

Learning more about the school system and how it works was the main driving force behind his decision to run, he said.

"I want to know more about that end of the politics and learn about the schools," he said. "Instead of a griper I'm more of a doer. I think everyone should get involved in town politics or the School Board."

Like Gneiser, Iacovetto is a native of South Routt County. He said he doesn't have any gripes with the school district.

Gneiser was appointed to the School Board two years ago, and has a daughter who is a student in the district.

Forging a bond between the school district and the community is something Gneiser said he was excited about accomplishing if he is elected to another term.

"We've got great schools," he said. "I want to get (everyone in) the community feeling that way, too. I'm big into community involvement. I think (the school district) gets sold a little short."

A contested race is good for the district, Gneiser said, and he thinks whoever is elected will be a strong candidate.

In the district's four uncontested races, Linda Long will seek another term representing District 4; School Board President Hank deGanahl runs alone for the District 5 seat; Rodney Wilson is the lone candidate in District 7; and Timothy Corrigan seeks his first School Board term in District 6, in which he will replace Bob Logan, who is not seeking re-election.

-- To reach Brent Boyer call 871-4234

or e-mail bboyer@steamboatpilot.com