By Tony Cantú
Contributing Writer

(Three candidates — a doctor, a lawyer and a systems analyst — are vying for a pair of seats on the Alamo Heights Independent School District board. Currently held by Steve Pritchard and Bill Kingman, the seats on Place 3 and Place 4, respectively, will be vacated as the incumbents two-year terms expire. The hopefuls are Ples Kujawa, Mike Morell and Lynn Thompson. Elections are scheduled May 10. The North San Antonio Times will spotlight the candidates over the coming weeks.)

Having a former teacher as a wife — not to mention four kids attending AHISD schools since the family’s move to the district 10 years ago — gives Michael Morell enhanced perspective into district issues, he said.

“My wife and I have always been very interested in education,” he said, noting his spouse’s participation in the district’s parent teacher organization gives him added insight into school board machinations. “We’re very education-oriented in our household. My interest in running is an outgrowth of that.’

Morell said he would emphasize retention of quality teachers. While the district consistently has been able to attract and retain high-caliber educators, he would strive to maintain that record of achievement in the face of intensified teacher recruitment by other school districts, he said.

“I think we’re starting from a very good position, but Alamo Heights, like all school districts, faces the issue of maintaining teacher excellence,” he said. “I think it will be a future challenge more so than in the past, and the reason for that is the competition for the really good teachers gets stiffer and stiffer.”

Morell said he would also have an eye on any students who may be struggling academically: “Another challenge is helping the at-risk kids better achieve their potential.”

An attorney in private practice, Morell acknowledged the job of school board members is made easier with the educational template set by the district. But he would be ready to offer whatever input — as a parent or attorney or both — that would be of value to his potential counterparts on the board.

“Anything that I could come up with would be more incremental,” Morell said. “I would stress we’re really fortunate we have such a good group of teachers. We, as a school district, have provided an environment that’s attractive to good teachers.”