SOUTH CENTRAL SERVICE COOPERATIVE

Brynaert Elected State Representative – Resigns Position on SCSC Board

The November 2006 elections began a new chapter in the life of Kathy Brynaert. After months of campaigning, the votes were in and tallied—Kathy Brynaert will represent District 23B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. After 28 years of service to her community, Kathy was ready for the next step—to serve greater Minnesota as a state legislator.

Kathy leaves behind a legacy of community service including service as Vice Chairperson on the South Central Service Cooperative Board of Directors since 1995 as the Mankato School District representative and Board Chair. While serving in that capacity Kathy was recognized in 2002 as a Minnesota School Board Association All-State School Board member and as a YWCA Woman of Distinction. In 2003 she received the Chamber’s Hap Halligan Award and in 2005 was honored by the Minnesota Regional Service Agency (MRSA) with the Outstanding Service Award. Kathy worked hard to serve her community and the youth and families in it, and her contributions to the Mankato area and the SCSC Board will be missed.

When asked about her years of service on the SCSC Board Kathy felt it was a positive learning experience, “Not only did I learn a lot about the products and services offered by the Service Cooperative, but I was able to provide them with a hands-on perspective of our Districts needs.” Kathy felt it was hard to pick just one issue or assignment as the highlight of her service, she enjoyed several: learning about Project SOCRATES and how technology can serve our schools, about the Special Education Low Incidence needs of the children and families in our service area, and the NCLB laws and mandates, along with the multifaceted insurance industry.

We asked Kathy what influenced her to run for State Representative? She responded, “John Dorn was my primary influence” but added “my lobbying while serving on the Cooperative Board gave me the experience and confidence necessary to support my decision to run.” Since taking office in January, Brynaert has co-authored a bill on education and property tax relief and authorized one on renewable energy. Congratulations to Kathy on her new position—we look forward to her representation and voice on the House floor.