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.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

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Voter Guide

ISD #345 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-boardIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/). If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from LWVMN!

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.

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    Kathryn Anderson
    (NP)

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    Faith Beranek
    (NP)

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    Derek Gramstad
    (NP)

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    Laura Nelson
    (NP)

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    Mark Peterson
    (NP)

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    Jessica Westby
    (NP)

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    Rikki Wold
    (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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Campaign Email jessicawestby@hotmail.com
I will use my systems perspective to consider multiple points of evidence and views to make thoughtful and well informed decisions. I will approach board service with integrity, preparation, and an open mind, asking questions and considering the long-term impact of each decision. I am committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and ensuring every student gets what they need to succeed.
My top three priorities are helping every student succeed, supporting the teachers and staff, and making sure the school board is open, responsible, and focused on what is best for our kids. I want parents, staff, and community members to feel heard. I believe we can keep our school strong by working together and making thoughtful decisions for the future.
If the district has to make cuts, I would focus first on protecting our students, classrooms, and the people who work directly with kids. Before cutting staff, I would look closely at where we can save money in other areas, ask for input from staff and families, and use retirements or open positions when possible. Any decisions should be open, fair, and focused on keeping New London-Spicer schools strong for the long term.
I believe every student should feel welcome, supported, and able to succeed in our schools. I would listen to students, families, and staff to better understand where barriers exist. The board should pay attention to whether all students have fair access to academic support, activities, and opportunities. I would work to make sure a child’s race or family income does not stand in the way of getting a strong education
I believe the best decisions come from being well informed from multiple perspectives. I would like to hear from students, families, and teachers through surveys, meetings, and direct conversations. I would also make sure people understand the issue and see how their input was considered. When people feel heard, the board can make stronger decisions for our schools.
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Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

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.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.