Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

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Voter Guide

ISD #299 School Board Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

School board members oversee the care, management, and control of schools. This includes hiring, firing, and overseeing superintendents, who manage the day-to-day affairs of the district. They also set levies to fund the district and create school policies.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-school-board

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Julie Augedahl
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Leigh King
    (NP)

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    Carol Nelson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Spencer Yohe
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)

How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)

Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)

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I taught 26 years in Caledonia Public Schools and 7 years in other districts. Prior to that, I directed a non-profit for individuals with developmental disabilities. I ran as a write-in candidate during the last school election when I thought a local branch of a national party was emphasizing too many national issues. I know there will be many tough decisions to be made at the local level - among them, school safety, class size, staff recruitment and retention, budget issues, etc. I do not have an "axe to grind" with my former employer; rather I am proud of our district and my years of service.
Student safety - too many lives are being lost to gun violence. Staff recruitment and retention - Our district is facing declining enrollment so some positions are at risk. There is a lack of affordable housing in our area, which is a detriment to recruiting staff. Student retention - too many students' families are opting to other districts, parochial schools, home schooling, etc. and that affects student enrollment and school funding. We need to work harder to meet the needs of all students
Brainstorm, brainstorm, brainstorm. Find out what the constituents value and what they think we can do away with. Question other districts about their tough decisions. I do NOT think budgets can be balanced on the backs of teachers and support staff, especially with the increased cost of health insurance that gets passed along to them.
Our school system is historically white (rural) so I can not answer that first part of the question. Economically - We have such a caring community! Athletic boosters, school staff, our school's foundation, etc - all chip in to help with user and athletic fees. Teachers are the eyes and ears for student needs. Churches offer school supply give-aways, and service clubs offer specific items such as glasses and eye exams.
I consider myself a good listener. I attend quite a few events at our schools and would attend even more as a school board member. We live in a small community, my phone number is published, and I will respond via e-mail to anyone who can be civil.
Contact Phone 5074953213
Being a long time Teacher and Coach, Always believed that Experience makes the Best Teacher and Coach. I'm a Team Player, and we've had Great School Boards to work with. Finishing my 16th year on the School Board. I had great mentors in Naomi Fruechte and Charlie Wray, Was honored as an All State School Board Member by MSBA in 2016. I considered this a Team Award with an Outstanding Superintendent in Ben Barton and 6 other Board Colleagues. The students success is always a major goal with myself, and honor students in the Tri State area with a Substitute teaching Scholarship. This is my 18th year as a Substitute Teacher after 34 years as a full time Teacher, and 46 Years as a high school and collegiate coach! 150 days a year subbing.
The big three of our Mission, Vision, and Values are followed. Our mission @ Caledonia Public Schools is to inspire every student a love of learning, nurturing potential, seeking knowledge and embracing the future. Vision: To foster a safe environment by prioritizing their well-being and preparing students to graduate inspired, ready to succeed with the tools for lifelong learning. 3rd is our Core Values to decide our decisions, actions and Choices to meet the needs of our students& excellence
We are led as a team , and that is a tough challenge in these economic difficulties that include inflation and tough decisions. We have a strong Superintendent that identifies the area we need most, along with the Best Business Manager in the state of Minnesota as far our Board of Education is concerned and highly satisfied with. We also have an Outstanding Human Resources Director that works together with our Committee! They saved thousands of dollars this year being creative with out budget
To be perfectly honest , in my 16 years on the School Board, we haven't had any, if very few racial issues in our School over the years, We are proud of our students, teachers, staff, parents, administration custodians, cooks, and of course our community, and School System! We know there are economic disparities in our education system. I'm not the expert in that area, and would have to visit with the people that are and would do better job in that area. Thanks You!
Our Board, Superintendent, etc. have always involved teachers and families in making decisions process! The Superintendent and Board have engaged by putting community members on our 4-year strategic Plan with former Board members and Community Leaders. We have two outstanding Senior and Juniors that serve as our School Board Student Members! Our Administration Staff and Board members worked closely with the Board on the Strategic Planning. Their Goals of @least one community outreach Service
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

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