For Karen Waters, a new year doesn’t just mean changing the calendar. She’s also starting a new job as the newest member of the School Board.

Waters was elected to her first term in the elections last November and was sworn in at the School Board meeting Jan. 13. Incumbents Bruce Richardson and Jim Yarosh were reelected, as was Ken Morrison, who ran unopposed to finish his two-year term.

Waters said she thinks her involvement in schools will provide her with beneficial insight.

“Being a volunteer brings a lot to the Board because I have kids in the schools and some members don’t, so I think that perspective helps,” she said. “When you’re in the schools you can see they’re different than even ten years ago.”

Sophomore Kate Duerksen said she agrees Waters’ in-school experience will be useful for making policies.

“It’s nice because she’s part of the community and she knows what’s going on in this world,” she said.

Waters said one of the issues she sees and most wants to change is reducing the achievement gap in the district.

“St. Louis Park has good diversity and that’s a great thing,” Waters said. “We have to reach out to reach students who have needs and we have to close the achievement gap.”