In a first for the Mercer Island School District, a special informative round-table was held Monday for those interested in applying for the soon to be vacated school board seat.

Led by facilitator Sue Bennett, only one new candidate, Jennifer McLellan, was in attendance in addition to board member Pat Braman, who has already announced her intention to seek a third term on the MISD board.

Board member Janet Frohnmayer, whose seat is also up for re-election participated in the round-table, but she has not announced her candidacy yet.

McLellan is applying for the soon to be vacated seat held by Lisa Strauch-Eggers who resigned last month. Strauch-Eggers seat is also up for re-election; McLellan said she will run for the seat.

McLellan has four children in the district. She is co-president of the Mercer Island PTA Council, and serves on the “Bridge the Gap” task force. She taught school in Spokane’s district 81, and in the Lake Washington School district before starting her family.

“I love this team,” McLellan said. “I really admire the district, and I want to be part of the team. I’m excited about the (district’s) 20/20 vision.”

Legislative representative for the PTA council, Aleta Finnila, has also said she will apply for the position being vacated by Strauch-Eggers. Finnila has two children in the district.

The deadline to apply for Strauch-Eggers seat is Friday at 4:30 p.m. The application is online at http://www.misd.k12.wa.us/

Applications must be turned in to the superintendent’s office.