RATHDRUM - John Shaffer will challenge incumbent Barbara Puckett for the Lakeland School Board's Zone 2 seat, which serves the Bayview and Athol areas.

Puckett, who has been on the board for more than six years, is seeking a third term.

"There are a lot of changes coming down (with new education reform laws), and I believe having continuity and someone with board experience is important during these changes," said Puckett of why she decided to seek re-election.

Puckett, who has lived in the district for 17 years, had two children attend schools at Lakeland.

"I have a vested interest in the district," she said.

Puckett has been the postmaster at the Hayden Post Office for three years. Prior to that, she managed the Athol Post Office for 10 years.

"I'm very community-oriented," she said. "Those are people positions. You interact with the community on a daily basis."

With her job, Puckett manages employees and is familiar with labor negotiations.

With regard to the new reform laws, Puckett said she supports part of the package, but not another.

"I have always supported pay for performance," she said. "But I'm a little concerned about the online classes required for our students. The interaction between teachers and students is irreplaceable, especially for certain subjects. I know that from my own children."

Puckett believes one of her strengths is making tough decisions and looking at both sides of an issue to stay objective.

"What you see is what you get with me," she said. "I don't candy coat things and tell people what they want to hear."

She also said she doesn't have an agenda.

"I'm there strictly to serve," she said.

Puckett has been involved with Junior Tackle, Little League, booster club and the Lakeland Education Foundation that raises funds for scholarships.

Shaffer is the superintendent of Airtech Mechanical Company, a commercial HVAC contracting firm.

He believes his experience of managing about 35 employees and his position on the North Idaho College Workforce Training HVAC Apprenticeship Board would be helpful to the school board, especially as the district helps launch the professional-technical Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC).

"I wish to represent my community in a positive manner by always being present to hear the concerns, interests and desires of the students, families, school staff and the respective taxpaying citizens," Shaffer said. "As a family man and a long-time resident of my community, I have a passion to see students succeed not just in their education, but in life itself.

"The policies in which we determine can play a vital role in those life successes."

Shaffer, who has lived in the Athol area for 15 years, has had three children, two presently, attend schools in the district.

He believes he'd be a good fit on the board because he'd be well-informed, open-minded and receptive to residents' thoughts and concerns.

Shaffer, who also has real estate training, served as the Timberlake Little League president from 2007 to 2010.

"I have had the opportunity to meet and work with the most caring and heartfelt people in my community," he said.

He coached in Little League from 1993 to 2010 and currently holds the commissioner position for the Juniors division.