By Ruth Anne Maddox, Staff Writer 

A new Shakopee School Board member could be seated as soon at Oct. 27 depending on how the interviews of five candidates go that evening.

The five candidates to be interviewed for the open seat are Shawn Hallett, Anthony Bonsante, Pamela Punt, Craig Pearson and Reggie Bowerman.

Current School Board members will meet with the five one-on-one beginning at 4 p.m. Oct. 27, with the regular meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. It is possible that the appointment will be made that night, but the School Board could choose to wait.

The five being interviewed were among nine residents who submitted applications to be considered for the spot vacated due to the resignation of longtime member Todd Anderson, who accepted a teaching position at the high school shortly before the start of the school year. Minnesota statutes do not allow School Board members to serve in the same district in which they work.

Board members Kathy Busch, Steve Schneider, Bob Loonan, John Canny and Mary Romansky narrowed the field down during a pre-meeting workshop on Monday. Member Chuck Berg was absent.

School Board members were impressed by the interest shown in the position.

Loonan said that regardless which of the candidates is chosen to finish Anderson’s term, “it would be nice if all nine ran in the next election.”

Ruth Anne Maddox can be reached at (952) 345-6678 or rmaddox@swpub.com.