When senior Andy Haroldson casts his first ballot as a legal adult, he will vote on issues of local importance in the upcoming School Board election.

“It’s important for the city’s schools,” Haroldson said. “The School Board represents the direction the schools will be going in the future.”

There are five candidates seeking election to three four-year positions on the School Board. Incumbent Ken Morrison is seeking election to a two-year position to finish his current term, for which he was selected after a former member, Pam Rykken, resigned.

Incumbent Bruce Richardson said the School Board members help create a learning environment for students by directing policies for the district.

“What we’re there for as a Board is to make sure our mission is accomplished,” Richardson said. “First we give students a safe and caring place to learn, then give students rigorous academics.”

Candidate Jim Beneke said the School Board’s involvement in the community made him want to run for election in order to participate in the process.

“The public school system is essential for a society that wants equity,” Beneke said. “St. Louis Park has one of the more successful public school systems. Continuously in the school system, there is a lot of support from volunteers in the community and within the schools there are a lot of good leaders.”

Anyone age 18 or older who lives in St. Louis Park may vote in the School Board elections, which will be Nov. 5. Voters can register at the polling place on election day and can find their polling place at the secretary of state’s website.

Freshman Saamiya Amini said she thinks students will be interested in the results of the elections.

“The School Board makes decisions for them, so students should have a voice in that,” Amini said.

Sophomore Luke Cichoski said he thinks students who can will participate in the election process.

“A lot of students want to be here and they want their opinions heard about what they want to happen in school,” he said.