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I am a proud parent of four RPS students in grades 4, 6, 9, and 11. I am also an attorney and I am running for re-election to the school board. The single greatest opportunity for our community lies in unleashing the full potential of our students, and I joined the school board to advance that goal through data-driven governance. Over the past term, I championed the district’s comprehensive embrace of the science of reading to improve literacy outcomes, insisted on adherence to the rule of law, and balanced competing concerns amid tight financial constraints. I am running to provide the steady, analytical stewardship needed to continue to balance our budget realities while fiercely protecting student opportunity.
First, Literacy: We must continue to aggressively implement the science of reading with tiered supports to meet the needs of every learner and ensure every child is proficient by third grade. Second, Budget Prudence: Facing enrollment declines, we must maintain robust fiscal controls to sustain operations and secure competitive facility bonds. Third, AI Integration: We need proactive policies to safely guide AI use, protecting data and academic integrity while preparing students for the future.
During budget reductions, my north star is allocating available resources to best serve students. My strategy is to follow an open, predictable process that invites meaningful input from staff and the community. Budget reductions require complex trade-offs. I am committed to balancing the budget responsibly through a robust, predictable, and transparent process that keeps student opportunity at the center of every choice.
At its best, public education is the great equalizer by unlocking the potential of every student thereby enriching our civics and culture and economy. But society suffers from systemic biases that frustrate that ideal. The best recipe for our schools is to meet the needs of every individual learner. Practically, this means focusing on early literacy for all students, supplemented as necessary with tiered supports, and providing access to enrichment options that democratize opportunity.
As a father of four RPS students and a youth soccer coach, I constantly hear the daily concerns of RPS families firsthand. I receive input through PTSAs, various committees and organizations, while watching my kids compete or perform, and of course by email. My favorite source comes from my kids and their peers who can be quite candid. Here’s my approach: I’m inquisitive; I seek to understand how a proposal may impact student opportunity. I am grateful to anyone that illuminates that.
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I am the best candidate for Rochester School Board because I passionately believe in our students and in public education. It's an honor to run, and a long-considered next step in my life's work of community service and capacity building. For me, this has always been about supporting women, children, families, education, the environment, and the arts...the bedrocks of our lives. There is nothing more important in this time period of low investment in education and the public sector than keeping these resources available for the success of all of our students and families. We know they are essential, and we know we must work to ensure that future generations have access to quality public education and other public programs.
-Championing high quality math standards for 2027-28, early childhood screening and support, and structured literacy programs that give every student the foundation for lifelong success.
-Committing to data-driven programs, the RPS 2030 Strategic Plan, open communication with families, and financial transparency in all RPS operations.
-Working to secure robust local, state, and federal funding streams to fully support special education mandates and protect essential classroom resources.
All large state and local public sector systems are facing this issue. The number of school-age children in the US is also declining. RPS just went through an $8M round of cuts this past year. The goal is of course given to protect classrooms, SPED, and teacher-student ratios. The next first places to look for cuts are: administration consolidation, vendors, supplies, and contracts, transportation costs, facilities costs/use, and union employee attrition. After these, program review.
Addressing racial and economic disparities in our education system, particularly in a diverse district like RPS, requires a multi-layered strategy combining targeted academic interventions, systemic equity frameworks, and supportive community resources. These include focusing heavily on foundational reading and math instruction early on, addressing basic and social-emotional needs, including consistent attendance, and then building partnerships with local collaborators for student and families.
RPS finalized its 2030 Strategic Plan, via a process that really reached deep into our communities to craft a path that reflects the inclusive, rigorous, and caring district we work to be. Many of the techniques used in that process will continue, including community design team meetings, app and survey input, and conversations throughout RPS. Each building has a site team that works on engagement and belonging each day, and on eliminating any tech or communication barriers for families.
I am a pediatrician, who retired in 2025 after over 40 years in practice. I practiced developmental-behavioral pediatrics. I cared for children with autism, reading disabilities, behavioral challenges, and other forms of neurodiversity. As a result, I have worked closely with the schools. I served as division chair of developmental-behavioral pediatrics at Mayo Clinic Rochester and served on the Minnesota State Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention Advisory Group. I decided to run for the School Board because I believe that my experience has equipped me to make a meaningful contribution to our schools.
My top three priorities would be:
1. Focus resources on teaching our children reading, math, and social studies because they a struggling with the core academic subjects.
2. Support our teachers and Education Support Professionals. Hire more, respect our educators, reduce their paperwork load. They have the vital job of directly teaching our children
3. Spend wisely, always through the lens of what is best for our students. Our children are our future.
The strategy is to make tough decisions about what programs or projects to pare down or eliminate based on the need to focus on core academic subjects. Scaling down or deferring building projects should be explored. Consider community partnerships to reduce transportation costs. If bus transit infrastructure is expanded, this could be an option for the older students.
The way to address disparities is to do the job of providing equity in the resources, support, and opportunities that a student needs to reach their full academic and social potential. I like the term, “equity in education” because it recognizes that people are unique and have different needs to reach their full potential.
Going to the community where families are, would be a positive step. The school could organize focus groups to get feedback from families when planning significant changes.
Teachers have the valuable perspective of working directly with students. Teachers are the experts on what is going on in the classroom. Teachers know if a curriculum or change is working or not working for the students. The board should be proactive about scheduling time to get feedback from teachers.
Do not vote for me.
Vote for Justin Cook, Ana Folpe, Jean Marvin, and Cathy Nathan.
You can find my full statement pinned to the top of my campaign's Facebook page. Thank you!
Do not vote for me.
Vote for Justin Cook, Ana Folpe, Jean Marvin, and Cathy Nathan.
You can find my full statement pinned to the top of my campaign's Facebook page. Thank you!
Do not vote for me.
Vote for Justin Cook, Ana Folpe, Jean Marvin, and Cathy Nathan.
You can find my full statement pinned to the top of my campaign's Facebook page. Thank you!
Do not vote for me.
Vote for Justin Cook, Ana Folpe, Jean Marvin, and Cathy Nathan.
You can find my full statement pinned to the top of my campaign's Facebook page. Thank you!
Do not vote for me.
Vote for Justin Cook, Ana Folpe, Jean Marvin, and Cathy Nathan.
You can find my full statement pinned to the top of my campaign's Facebook page. Thank you!
I would be one of seven serving on the RPS board. My top priorities are a balanced budget and proper SPED funding. My background as a STEM educator, my experience as a SPED parent, and my lifelong union involvement mean that I bring multifaceted experience to the table. My education in math and economics gives me a solid basis to make the hard decisions facing RPS and its expected $13+ million annual shortfall. I recently completed a 15 credit graduate certificate in AI, giving me the expertise to navigate the ethical and practical applications of developing technologies to better serve the changing needs of the workforce. My experience and education can fill some key gaps in the current board configuration.
1) Fixing the structural budget deficit while protecting SPED. Currently, the district is facing a $60 million+ deficit over the next board term. Major change is needed.
2) Improving academic performance across the board, and overseeing math curriculum that meets the new state standards.
3) Sustainable and responsible AI integration via the long term technology plan. There's a difference between “good AI” essential to our local MedTech industry and “bad AI” used by students to offload thinking
Given the structural deficits, reductions in spending are inevitable. I would explore incentivized retirements to preserve junior employees' positions, program consolidation and realignment, and initiatives to increase revenue, such as leasing RPS pools and sports facilities to the City of Rochester and promoting other district services like food service and the print shop to the wider community. I would never support another operating referendum during my term if elected.
Current initiatives like the district's multi-tiered systems of supports are a strength to maintain. The district must proactively approach leaders of minority communities to ensure that their concerns are amplified. Community groups want to know that their concerns are heard and acted upon appropriately. I would support working closely with Olmsted County and non-profits to ensure that our students' basic needs are met. Children deserve fair access to public education without discrimination.
I would promote meaningful engagement by ensuring access. Current family engagement meetings are held sparingly during the middle of the work day & a 5:30 start for board meetings is too early for working parents. Communication is spread across apps, emails, calls, texts, social media, & websites rather than a unified communications platform. Board listening sessions need to occur often. REA, RESP, RAA, & Teamsters contractual rights need to be honored so that all sides buy in to solutions.
I don’t know if there is a “best” candidate for school board, but I have the passion, experience and leadership skills to continue serving our students and community well. I was an RPS classroom teacher for Rochester’s amazing students for 40 years, served 3 terms on the RPS School Board, including being elected chair and vice chair, and I maintain a deep commitment to providing all kids—and all means all--the quality education they need and deserve. I’m ready to continue working hard to ensure we have the policies, protocols, programs and budget needed to provide that quality.
1.Ensuring the District provides all students with the resources and support they need to gain mastery in literacy, math, and deeper learning skills, and also provides opportunities to explore subjects they don't yet know they love! 2. Providing safe, engaging environments so all students want to come to school and know they are valued and have purpose 3. Preparing students for life after graduation with the skills and mindsets that will serve them in the workplace and/or higher education.
First, continue to work with legislative bodies to increase funding for public education. Research shows providing quality education for children pays off financially and socially long term. Then convene community members, business and organization representatives, students, school staff and District leaders to determine which cuts could be made farthest from classroom and whether any programs lost could be provided elsewhere.
School systems are microcosms of the communities in which they exist. Racial and economic disparities in schools reflect those in the District. Our schools must continue to offer curriculum and teaching strategies that are culturally responsive and inclusive. Students should see themselves and their experiences in the teaching materials, lesson plans, and school staff. RPS and community organizations need to continue to collaborate in this critically important endeavor.
Over my years in Rochester, I’ve come to know and work with thousands of our District’s families. I continue to listen and learn from frequent attendance at community events and agenda-focused gatherings, and I always welcome phone conversations and emails. I'm proud to have earned the endorsement of the teacher's union, REA, and our I'm grateful for the positive relationship with staff. Listening to and respecting the voices of students, staff, families and community members is my priority.
I bring over 35 years of experience in financial and policy analysis, education advocacy, and family engagement to the school board. I am running for my third term on the school board because RPS needs experienced leadership to accelerate the creation of a high-quality educational experience for all students. I am a proven leader, using my understanding of policy and finance to ask questions before making tough decisions. I am committed to oversight and transparency. I am a persistent advocate for improving student outcomes and creating inclusive, welcoming schools. I am a passionate collaborator with our students, staff, families, and community to build strong schools with expanded opportunities for our young people.
Academics - Improve curriculum & instruction in literacy, math, science, & social studies. Target interventions to the needs of struggling students. Prepare students for college/career through RPS courses & real-world experiences tied to exploration of their interests and goals.
Positive Learning Environments - In every school, ensure students & staff are safe & supported to learn, grow, & work.
Finances - Navigate budget challenges by allocating resources to what will improve student outcomes
Minimize resource reductions for academic intervention, improving student outcomes, and supporting positive school climates.
Set responsible financial parameters for employee contract negotiations.
Evaluate a new insurance administrator to decrease healthcare expenditures.
Use zero-based budgeting to identify operational efficiencies away from classrooms.
Ramp up our enrollment strategy to attract all the students within our boundaries and prevent further declines in enrollment-based revenues.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support interventions that target the academic skill gaps of each student. Elevate prevention and restorative justice to address behavior, instead of responses that decrease learning time for students of color & increase achievement gaps. Use curriculum materials where every student—regardless of their background or life experience—can see themselves reflected in their learning. Increase the diversity of students who participate & succeed in high quality advanced courses.
Thousands of responses from teachers, families, & community members were used in recent years to develop recommendations on major district issues. This feedback improved the plans & gave the school board robust information to make decisions. I would direct to continue that practice going forward. The board must also regularly explain how our financial decisions support improvement in student outcomes & inform and engage stakeholders on when and where to provide feedback that impact decisions.
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