WALHALLA — Rosemary Bailes, who for more than 30 years has been a volunteer, teacher, school administrator and district administrator with the School District of Oconee County, has announced she will run for the school board from District II.

District II covers the greater Walhalla area and is now represented by Ken Poston. Poston earlier said he would seek re-election to the post.

“I am familiar with the needs and challenges facing the teachers and administrators in our schools,” Bailes said Monday after filing at the school district offices. “As a parent, and now a grandparent, of students in Walhalla area schools, I understand the needs of students and parents….”

Bailes, the wife of former Walhalla mayor Lamar Bailes, is also a former trainer and supervisor of student teachers at Clemson University. She is on the board of Oconee Medical Center and her term expires this year.

Both Bailes and Poston said they look forward to a good, clean campaign.

“I believe that my many years of experience in education and my 48 years of varied service experiences in our wonderful community give me a unique background for the position.”

Poston described Bailes as one great lady.

“I welcome the challenge and I want the voters to see the passion I have for this job and the energetic force I bring to the board,” Poston said.

Filing for three board seats opened at 8 a.m. Monday and will close at noon on Aug. 11. The seats are for Districts 2, 4 and 5. Seats now held by District I’s Jerry Lee and District III’s Andy Inabinet are not up election until 2010.

Denise McCormick in District 4, the greater Westminster area, has said she would seek re-election while board Chairman Harry Mays in District 5, the greater Fair Play and Oakway area, has said he will not seek re-election. Poston is the owner of Tender Loving Childcare Inc.