TOP STORY: One candidate for Decorah School Board is withdrawing from the race

Decorah School Board candidate Kerry Johnson says a change in her employment status will make it impossible to remain a candidate in the November 5th election.

Johnson recently retired from teaching after 36 years, 18 in North Winneshiek and 18 in Decorah.  She decided she would be a substitute teacher and run for school board as a way to remain in education.

However, she has now been asked to take a long-term substitute teacher position.  "This is something I would really like to do, but, upon checking, I learned there would be a conflict of interest if I was on the school board," she says in a letter.

The ballots for the November 5th election have already been printed, however.  That means Johnson's name will still be on the ballot when voters go to vote.  "This seems crazy, but I am asking you to NOT vote for me," her letter says.

Johnson promises she will run for the school board again in the future, but she says the timing is not right at this time.