The Bend-La Pine Schools Board on Tuesday tapped Andy High for a board vacancy, picking a candidate who has volunteered on district committees and worked in Salem as a policy analyst.

The unanimous decision puts High in the empty Zone 3 board seat, which Beth Bagley left last year after her election as a Deschutes County circuit judge.

“I think Andy’s experience with watching the bigger picture with the flow of revenue and things like that would really come in handy,” said Board Member Mike Jensen, who moved for High’s appointment.

High, 33, is the staff vice president of government affairs for the Central Oregon Builders Association.

He also has worked as a policy analyst for the Oregon House Majority Office from 2002 to 2004, under then-House Majority Leader Tim Knopp. During that time, he helped write legislation on the Public Employees Retirement System. PERS is a high-profile issue for school districts, as increased costs from the pension system put a crimp on district budgets.

High said he’s not approaching the job with a single goal in mind. Instead, he has varied issues on his radar that include PERS, school district funding and the upcoming district bond election. He said it’s important for the school district to give input to the lawmakers in Salem whose decisions impact school districts.

“I think it’s key we reach out and talk to our legislators,” he said, adding he hopes to put his state experience to use as a board member.

High has volunteered for school district committees. He chaired a committee for new school boundaries. He also has served on the district’s sites and facilities committee and the budget committee.

Board Member Peggy Kinkade said High’s work on committees distinguished him as a candidate.

Two candidates applied for the opening and interviewed with the board. The other candidate was R. Brady Fuller, a senior project manager and hydraulic engineer with CH2M Hill’s Water Business Group.

Board members made clear that both candidates were well-qualified.

“I just wish we had two positions open,” said Board Chairman Ron Gallinat.

High will be sworn in at the next school board meeting on Feb. 12.