Lake Wales resident Lori Cunningham plans to run for re-election to the Polk County School Board, District 2, which comprises Lake Wales, Haines City, and Dundee.

Cunningham was first elected in 2004 and is currently serving her second term in office.

She is vice chairman of the Polk County School Board, and served as chairman in 2007-2008 and vice chairman in 2006-2007. Cunningham has served in a number of capacities in educational and civic endeavors, including eight liaison positions and serving on a number of boards. Among these are the district’s Human Resources Division, Business Services Div., Audit Committee, Policy Committee, Insurance Committee and the County Commission Value Adjustment Board.

Locally, she serves on the Dale R. Fair Babson Park Elementary School’s Advisory Committee.

Cunningham holds a B.S. degree in electrical engineering from the University of South Florida. She has worked for Progress Energy and Florida’s Natural and was executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Greater Haines City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Cunningham is president of Applied Images, Inc., in Lake Wales. As a businesswoman, Cunningham said she believes that “Education is economic development.”

Cunningham said she is a strong supporter of teachers and realizes the importance of education in attracting and retaining businesses.

Cunningham and her husband of 25 years, Rick, live in Lake Wales and have a 10-year-old daughter, Christina. The family are members of First Presbyterian Church in Lake Wales.

One other person, Branden Marc Lane, has filed to run for that school board seat. The election is scheduled Nov. 6.