Sharon Van Leer, a multicultural affairs specialist at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, had her election to the South Washington County school board affirmed in a recount last week.
She will join Katie Schwartz, a full-time student and stay-at-home from St. Paul Park, as the two new faces on the seven-member board when they are sworn into office in January.
Van Leer, of Woodbury, entered last week's recount with a five-vote advantage over Molly Lutz for the last of the four four-year seats on the Nov. 5 ballot. During a two-day recount ending Friday, Van Leer picked up one additional write-in vote, according to a school district news release.
Schwartz, Van Leer and incumbents Tracy Brunnette and Katy McElwee-Stevens won the four-year seats up for election this fall. Incumbent Laurie Johnson won a two-year term.
Van Leer, who is black, grew up in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul and now lives in Woodbury. She and her husband, the Rev. Thomas Van Leer, raised six children and 30 foster children.
