From staff reports
LEWISTOWN - Former Mifflin County School District Superintendent David S. Runk announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination for county commissioner in the upcoming May primary election.
Runk, a Lewistown resident with an extensive background in education and administration, said he decided to run for the office after recent discussions with several members of the community.
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David Runk
"I enjoyed my previous job as superintendent, and I like to work with people," Runk said. "I'm a lifelong resident of Mifflin County, and I feel my financial experience would be a benefit to the community."
Runk served as superintendent for the Mifflin County School District for 13 years, from July 1997 until June 2010. Prior to holding that position, Runk also worked for the district as assistant superintendent, director of secondary education, high school principal and assistant principal, and began his career as a mathematics teacher at Lewistown Area High School in 1963.
While teaching at Lewistown, Runk served as chairman of the mathematics department, student council advisor, and as a coach for basketball and baseball, according to a press release. During the summer, he also supervised the Youth Conservation Corps for the Bald Eagle District of the Forestry Department for eight years, the release states.
"If successful (in the election), I will advocate fiscal responsibility, pursue community input on all matters, and seek new ideas from other county commissioners across the state to benefit our citizens," Runk said.
Runk also listed his experience in farming and forestry among his qualifications for the office.
"In addition, I have a strong work ethic and excellent sense of self-motivation," he said.
Runk's awards and honors include a full scholarship in Mathematics and Chemistry while pursuing his master's degree at the College of William and Mary in 1968, Outstanding Teacher at Lewistown Area High School in 1969 and Outstanding Secondary Educator of America in 1975. Runk also served as a representative for the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit on the Pennsylvania Department of Education Liaison Committee in 1981-82, and he was named to the Who's Who List of World-Wide Global Business Leaders in 1993.
According to the release, Runk has served as a member of numerous community organizations, including the Lewistown Rotary Club and nine years as a director on the Lewistown Hospital Foundation Board. He currently is a member of the Mifflin County Industrial Development Corp.'s Board of Directors, Team Mifflin County, the Community College Strategic Planning Committee, Mifflin County 2000, Spring Run Church of the Brethren and he serves on the board of directors for the Mifflin County American Legion Baseball Association.
Additionally, Runk received citations from the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives in 2010, in recognition of his years of service within the Mifflin County School District.
Pennsylvania's spring primary election is slated for May 17.
