There are three candidates competing for two openings on the Kalispell Public Schools elementary school district, and an incumbent trustee faces a challenge in the only contested race for a high school district seat.

Three people are running for the elementary district: incumbent Frank Miller, Bette Albright and Lance Isaak.

Miller, 68, has four years on the school board and serves as board chairman. Miller taught for 39 years in the district.

As a retired teacher, Miller said he decided to serve on the school board because he wanted to stay involved with education and because he thinks his background brings a valuable perspective to the board.

If reelected, Miller hopes to provide continuity as the district transitions under a new superintendent and looks to continue addressing overcrowding at the elementary level. Miller also said that during his current term the board has been fiscally responsible.

“The board, during my tenure, was very conscious of financial resources the community gives us and we spend that wisely,” Miller said.

No stranger to Kalispell Public Schools, Albright 74, is also a retired teacher with 25 years in Evergreen School District.

“I have years of experience in the education field and a lot of experience in the community,” Albright said noting she has lived in the valley for about 44 years.

In the past, she has served on the Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees for four years. Albright said she was interested in the issue of updating technology. Plus, she said “it is just time to serve again.”

“I think it’s important for everyone to take time to serve on boards in the community,” Albright said. “There is a need in the community for its citizens to be involved in those processes.”

Albright has served on a variety of boards and committees. She has served on the Kalispell Street Tree Commission for the past 24 years.

Isaak, 42, is program director at the Flathead Youth Home.

In addition to working with area youth, Isaak is a parent of two children who attend Kalispell Public Schools. Isaak regularly interacts with school district staff between his work at the Flathead Youth Home and as a parent.

“They do great work and I want to continue to make sure there is support for them to do their work,” Isaak said.

Isaak is also familiar with serving his community. He serves on the Kalispell Tree Commission, and has been treasurer for the Kalispell Daybreak Rotary Club for the past five years.

“I want to continue to improve the educational system for kids,” Isaak said. “I plan to be part of the community for the next 40 to 50 years and want to help make decisions that will affect our community.”

ON THE high school side, in the district representing Evergreen and Helena Flats, incumbent John “Jack” Fallon faces Antoine “Tony” Brockman.

Fallon, 60, is a financial adviser for Investors Capital Corporation and has served on the board of trustees for the past three years and from 1996 to 2002. Fallon said he is interested in providing direction and making sure the board fulfills its function through policy.

“As a school board member, I’m making sure that policies are implemented where they need to be implemented and that direction is provided in a consultative manner,” Fallon said adding that direction is defined by the community.

Fallon is also involved in the community in other ways by serving on the Evergreen Water and Sewer and Evergreen Fire District boards.

Brockman is a 28-year-old project coordinator for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Flathead County.

Brockman serves on the advisory council for the Montana Museum of Art and Culture and is a member of Leadership Montana and Montana Ambassadors. In 2010, Brockman was elected to the Humanities Montana board.

Having attended Evergreen and Helena Flats schools and graduating from Flathead High School in 2004, Brockman is familiar with the school district. If elected, Brockman hopes to be a link between students, the board and community.

Brockman said he would be an advocate for student success, promote fiscal responsibility and work to empower the community through a stronger education system.

High school district trustee Tom Clark, whose term was set to expire, will be seated by acclamation. He represents Marion, Olney-Bissell, Pleasant Valley, Smith Valley and West Valley.

Ballots for the mail-only election must be returned by May 6.