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: Voting Local Matters: Why Vote for School Board | League of Women VotersIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info. If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!A candidate forum for this race is available at https://youtu.be/dxMN6K8D3KI. More MN forums are available at https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-candidate-forums.
Contact Phone
218/841-2453
I don't know if I'm the best candidate for the school board but I can say that I'm highly qualified.
I've taught for 38 years, 31 in Detroit Lakes district. I feel I have the pulse of the district identified as well as the direction in which the district is moving.
I've made many personal connections at many district levels. I have great report with many of the people that are employed, volunteer and attend Detroit Lakes.
My main focus will be the safety of the students, staff and all visitors to our schools. Our buildings should be free of incidences that are detrimental to all stakeholders. Next, we need to be a district propelling itself forward with new thoughts and ideas. We have to show and prove that we have attributes that make moving to and/or staying in our district attractive to students and parents; but in the same breath we need to stay transparent and honest. These two are the keys to us moving for
I believe that cutting budgets is never a good practice. Finding the causes and addressing them vs making our education system fractured and diluting it.
We have a tendency to look at money as a limiting factor. Many times teachers and/or curriculum is cut, because of they are larger expenditures, When there are other areas that when reduced can be better cost-saving measures.
I would have to lean on the experts in our district. We have a great counseling staff that has insight and the training to address these shortcomings.
In my tenure, I've seen some groundbreaking programing come from our staff.
There is only one way to do this and that is to make teachers and families comfortable with being involved with school processes. I don’t think that in the past, we’ve done a great job with inclusion and transparency. We as a board need to make our school district a place that is welcoming to new ideas and ways of thinking that include anyone that is interested in sharing concerns; as well as sharing ideas and solutions, to come forward and share them.
Contact Phone
218 847 8360
I am a "Kids First" candidate, passionate about education and what quality schooling can do to improve the lives of children.
I spent forty eight years working as a teacher in grades 3-8, school administrator/K-12 principal, and an adjunct professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, training future teachers across a variety of school districts. These experiences have given me a broad perspective of practices that work to provide all students with the knowledge and skills needed to be productive citizens and adults.
I am a good listener, and value feedback, and the involvement of staff, parents, and community when making local school decisions.
I promise to work hard for the children and young people of Detroit Lakes Public Schools.
If elected, my priorities will be to advocate for
'What's Best for Kids," by ensuring that school funding and resources are focused on hiring and maintaining excellent staff, providing academic curriculum and programs that prepare students to be productive citizens and adults, and to support families and community involvement in our school.
If reductions are needed to maintain a balanced budget, I will listen, and carefully review the recommendations brought to the Board by administration and staff. I will ask questions to determine the rational for prioritizing the reductions, and impacts these cuts will have on "What's Best for Kids!" I will solicit public input and share feedback received from the community with fellow Board members and school administration.
My "vote" will be based on this input, and my core priority values.
I am passionate about "Education for All," and have seen first hand what quality schooling does to improve the lives of all children!
As a Board member, I will support Excellence for every student, by ensuring that funding and resources are focused on the following:
to hire and retain excellent staff,
to provide students with curriculum and programs that result in academic growth, emphasizes achievement, and prepares each individual to be a productive citizen and adult.
I'm a good listener, and will actively seek out the opinions and expertise of school staff, parents, and community members to strengthen my decision making ability.
I recognize, and have experienced the results of strong family and community support in schools. Detroit Lakes Public Schools has had a tradition of fostering these relationships, and as a School Board member I will continue to support this practice.
