EPHRATA - Ron Yenney said he has had a longstanding interest in serving on the Ephrata School District Board of Directors.

"For the past couple years I've been asked by numerous people to consider running for the school board and my response was if the race was uncontested on the last day of filing, I would put my name in the hat." Yenney said. "So it came up to the last day of filing, it was an uncontested race and I put my name in the hat."

Yenney is running for Pos. 4.

He said he would bring energy and a new perspective to the school board and ask many questions.

"I think that would stimulate a lot of discussion on the board and I think that would be beneficial for everyone," Yenney said.

Yenney said he faces the challenge of running against an incumbent who has served for a long time.

He brings to the position his experience of serving six years on the Grant County Hospital District No. 3 Board of Commissioners, including five years as chair. He was on the board during construction projects including the hospital upgrade, clinic upgrade and new assisted living facility.

Yenney has a business degree in economics and participated in successful business endeavors locally.

"The number one qualification is my extreme love for the community of Ephrata and the school district," Yenney said.

He said citizens should vote for him because he would bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the board.

The biggest issues facing the district are aging facilities, diversity and growth in Ephrata, according to Yenney.

To improve facilities, the district needs to balance fiscal responsibility with district needs. A study could help the district learn what the needs are, and then the board can make choices to move in the right direction.

It has been approximately 25 years since the district conducted a major construction project, he noted.

"I still think of it as a new high school, but the reality is, is that it's 25 years old roughly," Yenney said. "It's time to take a look at it to see what our needs are and then develop a plan around those needs."

Changes he would like to see in the district include addressing the high rates of teacher turnover. He would like to find out why teachers are leaving and address the issues.