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Rasmussen joins incumbents on Evansville School Board

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Kathi Swanson (I)

Age: 49

Address: 4322 N. Cornfield Drive

Job: Professional long-armed quilter

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in counseling

Community service: Volunteer in the schools the last four years

Elected posts: In third year on the Evansville School Board

EVANSVILLE — Newcomer John Rasmussen plans to work with fellow Evansville School Board members and staff to “make the tough decision.”

“I’m a common-sense type person,” said Rasmussen, who brought in the most votes Tuesday night with 1,764.

The results “totally surprised” him, he said.

Incumbents Kathi Swanson and Dennis Hatfield retain their seats with 1,451 and 1,270 votes respectively, while David Ammerman came in fourth with 1,151.

Swanson and Hatfield could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.

Rasmussen, 59, is retired from Evansville Water and Light, and he said his experience working in the city taught him how government and boards work.

“And it’s everybody working together—not one person making all the policies and everything. It’s a team effort,” he said. “The first year, I’m going to learn and participate as much as I can.”

He said he doesn’t have any specific agenda, “just kids first.”

“I didn’t make any big promises. I just said I would work with fellow board members and the staff to maintain a quality, affordable education for the students,” Rasmussen said.

Hatfield, 62, is finishing his sixth year on the board and will be the most-experienced member. He previously told the Gazette he brings “some perspective and historical knowledge that I think probably nobody else has. We’ve been through a lot in the last six years.”

Swanson, 49, is finishing her third year on the board. She previously said her love for education is what pushed her to seek another term.

“That first term is such a learning experience,” she said, adding that she feels she has a better understanding of the district, which will help her decision-making in the next term.