By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The school board section of Monday’s Hays city/USD 489 candidate forum at Fort Hays State University began with an announcement Jerry Braun had withdrawn from the race.

Braun emailed a public statement Monday night:

“Personal issues have occurred beyond my control which put into question my ability to adequately fulfill the duties of board of education member. My desire to serve the district is still strong and hope to run at a future time but this is not that time. I am officially withdrawing my candidacy for USD 489 Board of Education.”

According to Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus, Braun’s name will remain on the ballot due to a Kansas law stating once the filing deadline has passed, which was noon Jan. 27, a candidate can’t remove himself from the ballot.

Maskus said if Braun is elected on the April 7 election, he could decline the appointment and someone else would be appointed.

Until two years ago, Braun was a math teacher for 15 years at Hays Middle School.

Braun has worked as an education consultant throughout western Kansas and is a supervisor at Sunflower Child Support Services in Hays.