The Auburn Teachers Association is endorsing two current Auburn Enlarged City School District school board members and one newcomer in the May 20 elections.

Current board president David Lansford, current board vice president Charlie Cator and newcomer Merritt F. Fletcher all received the nod from the ATA president Sally Jo Widmer said.

“David Lansford has the track record of being a calm pragmatist,” Widmer said. “He is also gracious and brings an air of cooperation and civility to the board of education.”

Widmer said Cator is a good pick for a second term based upon his business background #- he is currently a commodities manager for Pall Corporation, a filtration, separations and purifications company.

“We would like to continue to tap that reservoir of business experience,” Widmer said.

She thinks Fletcher, who is seeking his first term on the board, would bring with him a fresh perspective and extensive information on employee training and human resources.

“Merritt is obviously a new personality to the education front, but he appears to bring with him a wealth of experience with dealing with the use of our community and in business,” she said. “He has spoken in a very positive nature the need to erect programs for children and he will move the district forward.

“We were very impressed with his statement at the forum.”

Lansford, Cator and Fletcher are running with Ernest Hyde III, Karol Soules and Abdur-Rahim Muhammad for three, three-year seats.

The 400-member ATA endorsed only candidate last year. About 1,400 current and retired members of the New York State United Teachers union will also be notified of the endorsement.