Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Candidate response is not yet available.
Contact Phone
320-316-0651
While in the role as school board member I believe I've supported students in a few different but important ways. When faced with a decision, I put student impact as my top concern. I value student voices and their lived experience. I seek out opinions from differing viewpoints with the intention to gain more knowledge & perspective. I support our teachers by allowing them the space to share their thoughts, feelings, & opinions with me. As a parent myself, I value the role and voice of our district parents and enjoy engaging with them regularly. Overall I feel like I'm an honest person who leads with integrity & I aspire to be a lifelong learner.
My priorities in no particular order are as follows:
1. To bring the RIS HVAC issue to the voters as soon as possible. The current environment is making it difficult for our young learners to focus and engage. There are also some health concerns. This aligns well with being fiscally responsible as this is needed building maintenance.
2. Listen and serve all voters of Sartell-St. Stephen.
3. Put students first when making decisions, being mindful of the impact my decisions could have.
I would first ask for our business manager & HR director under the direction of the superintendent to come up with a proposal of how to best proceed. I would support cuts that have the smallest impact on our students. I would also ask to look at class size and make sure we are following our board policy guidelines. I would seek guidance and schedule a board work session with all needed voices in the room so we could collectively find the best solution for our district.
I would address racial and/or economic disparities by first asking where our gaps are in our system. Then with our strategic plan and my fellow board members I would work to make priorities to make gains in those areas of disparity. I would advocate for achievable goals with measurable outcomes to those goals.
I am a parent to five wonderful children & with that comes many meetings and interactions not only with teachers but other parents and students as well. I attend many school and community events & like to think people feel they can approach me. I try to be accessible to our staff, students and families. I return my emails, text messages, & phone calls in a timely manner.
I’m student-centered, non-partisan, and have the skills and experience our district needs on its school board. I am not funded or guided by special interest groups. I’ve listened to all opinions in my four years on the board because I’m aware that the families we serve cover the entire political spectrum and we have the responsibility to act in the best interests of our community as a whole.
Board members should: be interested in moving forward positively on all types of issues the schools face, approach issues without pre-conceived political positions, gather fresh information from diverse/varied sources, and primarily consider the best interests of the student body as a whole when making decisions. This has been and will be my approach.
I don’t have a personal “agenda,” but here are my goals:
1. Making sure the Riverview HVAC project gets to a public referendum ballot in early 2025 because it’s a dire need for our students and the sooner the project is approved the less it will cost taxpayers.
2. Comprehensively amending the district’s strategic plan by 2027 - with community/staff involvement - because it’s important to do so every five years.
3. Not allowing the board’s focus to stray from the best interests of our students.
If budget cuts are needed to a similar extent as in this past year, I’d approach it the same: by reducing payroll through attrition and letting go probationary staff, in cooperation with district-level administration. If larger budget cuts affecting overall programming become necessary (like in 2018-19), a much more comprehensive process would be required involving public listening sessions, several meetings between the board and administration, and listening sessions with staff at the schools.
I’d ensure that this work continues, and is done internally by district administration. I wasn’t yet on the school board when the district hired a consultant for an equity audit, but I was on the board when we received the consultant’s final report that didn’t live up to professional expectations. This work is important, and it was better in the end that we cut ties with the consultant and did it ourselves. I trust that our administrators have the knowledge and experience to do this work right.
In my 17 years in Sartell (9 with kids in school), I’ve gotten to know many families and teachers. I have an “open door” policy with residents, have responded personally to perhaps hundreds of their emails and phone calls, and have actively sought opinions that differed from those I’d already heard on difficult issues. I’ve also been to several listening sessions with teachers/staff at the superintendent’s invitation - and also with parents - on various topics. I plan to continue these efforts.
First, I have a vested interest in the success of our school district, the heart of the community that I love, because my wife and I have lived in Sartell-St. Stephen for 18 years, and we have raised our family here. Second, I’m passionate about the skilled trades and promoting pathways for kids to earn a decent and honorable living without a 4-year degree. Third, I have served on many boards and acquired strong listening skills, effective problem solving abilities, and an understanding of the importance of collaboration among board members in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Finally,I believe in the importance of adhering to policy and procedure to maintain the mission and integrity of an organization.
First, I will foster parent involvement in conjunction with parent-teacher-school partnerships because students deserve the highest quality education. Second, I will ensure the school district practices responsible spending and allocation of resources. Third, I will listen to members of the community, collaborate with board members, and make informed decisions that will positively affect all stakeholders: community members, teachers, staff, parents, and students.
Necessary budget cuts are never easy or popular, but the district must be responsible and not spend what they do not have. I would balance wants versus needs, rememberinging that funding comes from hardworking taxpayers and is for the benefit of our kids. I’d ensure that there are enough resources for the district’s highest priorities and make necessary adjustments to the budget to carry out educational programs that fit within projected revenues.
All students deserve a high quality education no matter their race or economic standing. Our school mission statement says it best, and I will work hard to ensure we honor this creed for ALL students: Develop well-rounded citizens capable of becoming successful and contributing members of society by providing outstanding instruction in a welcoming environment where every student is given the support needed to excel according to their unique abilities, interests, and aspirations.
I will listen to the opinions and views of others including school board members, administration, staff, students, and the community in order to make informed decisions while being primarily motivated to provide the best possible education for our students.
I am the best candidate for the school board because my background in system and data analytics, contract administration, accounting, HR, and project management gives me the skills to make informed, logical decisions. My greatest strengths—empathy, curiosity, and open-mindedness—allow me to genuinely care for the staff, students, and families of our district. I thrive on details, from data to policy language, and bring a balanced approach that combines compassion with analytical rigor to support our school community.
My top three priorities are safety, data-driven decisions, and building trust through transparency. A safe physical and psychological learning environment is fundamental to student success and well-being. Evidence-based, rational approaches to addressing challenges and making decisions grounded in data ensures the best outcomes for our district. Fostering open communication with the community and trusting educational professionals builds a district that is collaborative rather than divisive.
I would prioritize protecting core subjects to ensure student success and engage stakeholders early by conducting surveys, holding town hall meetings, and connecting personally with community members to gather input. I would analyze vendor contracts and financial details to identify possible cost savings and explore grants. By making incremental changes and focusing on long-term sustainability, we can navigate challenges while minimizing the impact on essential educational services and staff.
I would address racial and economic disparities by promoting inclusive policies and providing diversity and inclusion training. Creating safe spaces for marginalized groups and incorporating diverse perspectives into the curriculum are key. Engaging families and the community, supporting student voices, and fostering a culture of respect and empathy will ensure that every student and staff member feels valued and secure.
I will engage teachers and families by actively seeking their input through surveys, town hall meetings, and personal connections. I’ll also involve students by listening to school board representatives, student-led organizations, and councils, and provide channels for feedback. Building relationships with teachers and families and valuing diverse perspectives ensures that decisions reflect the needs of our entire school community.
