BUTLER TWP — A week before the Nov. 3 election, Butler School Board member Don Pringle has launched a write-in campaign to keep his seat.

The former board president lost his slot on the ballot in the May primary after five others got more votes than he did. All five are running unopposed next Tuesday.

He said he is starting a write-in campaign at the urging of some residents and because of a lawsuit against the school district.

“I believe that there’s been a current director and a potential director that’s been costing the district a lot of money through a lawsuit,” Pringle said. “Hopefully we can change that if I get back onto the board. I think that’s the number one reason.”

Board member Bill Halle and candidate Leland Clark filed a lawsuit in August against the district to prevent the board from selling the four recently closed elementary schools before a new board is seated in December.

The district has spent $5,977 on the lawsuit, according to district solicitor Tom King.

The district is trying to sell Broad Street, Clearfield, Meridian and Oakland elementary schools, which closed in June as a part of a wide consolidation plan.

Pringle was beat in the primary by four newcomers, Suzie Bradrick-Hammonds, Clark, Jennifer Cummings and Nina Teff, and Halle.

But Pringle is optimistic about his chances to win back his seat.

“If I didn’t think I had a good chance, I wouldn’t do it,” he said. “We need balance. We need balance in our school board. And having me there provides that balance whether you like it or not.”