The Armstrong-Ringsted Consolidated School District is seeking a board member to replace Don Looft who passed away late last year.

The term would be until the next school board election in the fall of 2011. The board member would have to live within the Armstrong city limits and between an area north of the railroad tracks to County Road A22.

The position is not paid. It can involve a lot of time, particularly starting about this time of year, in poring over budgets, and, at times, answering to people who think they're paying too much in property tax.

While those are the negatives, let's look at the positives.

For its size, Armstrong-Ringsted is probably one of the most progressive school districts in Iowa. Superintendent Randy Collins has researched and put in place funding sources that other school districts are just starting to think about.Those sources include supplemental weighting for sharing administrative staff and teachers and QZAB funding in which the district is able to pay back less than the principle amount that it borrows (that's quite a feat, you would have to admit).

A-R is also on the cutting edge of technology, with state-of-the-art "smart pens" and an industrial technology facility that would be the envy of many machine shops or factories.

Armstrong-Ringsted also has unusually supportive patrons. The people who live there don't mind paying for an excellent school and they are extremely supportive of their athletic teams. You only had to take one look at the empty streets during the state football playoffs to find proof of that.

The job also brings a lot of satisfaction by being able to help out a great school with a lot of great teachers and kids.

To apply for the position, contact Deb Obbink at the district office at 712-868-3550 or at her home at 712-868-3880 by Feb. 11.