Five candidates are running for three seats on the Farmington School Board in November’s election. General information about the Nov. 5, 2024, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties. To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting. Kyle Christensen (incumbent) (Candidate information not provided) Joseph Hart (Candidate information not provided) Kelsey Jezierski Kelsey Jezierski. (Courtesy of the candidate) Age: 41 What would your top priorities be if elected? We need to work towards a sustainable future through financial stability. Like many other districts our funding is under a lot of stress. There are a few different avenues we can pursue like increasing learner enrollment, advocating at the state level for increased funding, and collaborating with stakeholders. We need to make our learners and educators a priority. This means making sure our educators feel supported and have the resources and funding they need in order to succeed in their roles. They deserve a wage that’s reflective of the important and essential service they’re providing. I believe in a holistic education. Education shouldn’t just be restricted to the core academics. Being proficient in the core academics is just one piece of a larger whole. By implementing a holistic education learners are being seen and celebrated as individuals rather than how proficient they are in the different subjects. It’s important our learners are able to think critically, communicate effectively, connect with others, collaborate with others, advocate for their needs, and learn responsible decision making. What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been active within my community advocating for change and inclusivity. Over the past few years I have taken the opportunity to use my voice to support different initiatives affecting residents and community members at city council and school board meetings. I have also been a part of our district’s Instructional Program Review committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Both of these experiences have provided me the opportunity to learn more about the district and the process in which important decisions are made. I have been able to connect and build relationships with staff who hold various roles within the district. I also bring a different lens as a mental health professional and person of color. Our district is rapidly diversifying and these residents deserve representation in a space where decisions that affect them are being made. I bring a different perspective and understanding due to my identity and life experiences. Most importantly I believe in collaboration and work well with others. I lead with curiosity to stimulate courageous conversations. I am passionate, authentic, and logical. What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe the primary role of the government is to provide stability and safety for those they are responsible for, listen to its constituents, and make decisions that are in the best interest of those who voted them into office. How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I believe in leading with curiosity. Too often people make assumptions based on their own beliefs and don’t take the time to be curious. By leading with curiosity we are able to gain further insight and awareness regarding how those beliefs were formed and why. This process can lead to engaging with empathy and hopefully finding a common goal to word towards. The ability to be understanding, open, flexible, and collaborative is essential for any entity that needs to make decisions as a collective. Website or contact information: facebook.com/Kelseyfor192 Hannah Johnson (incumbent) Hannah Johnson.(Courtesy of the candidate) Age: 40 What would your top priorities be if elected? If elected to a second term, I will continue working to 1) communicate the importance of the voter-approved operating levy; 2) stabilize school funding while minimizing the financial impact on taxpayers; 3) effectively implement new strategies to support literacy; 4) strengthen overall academic success while supporting the whole learner; 5) further engage families in their child’s education and the broader school community; 6) recruit and retain a high quality workforce; 7) foster a safe and supportive school environment; 8) amplify the voices of community members, staff, families, and learners to better inform district decision-making; and 9) strengthen district measures of communication and transparency. We must also continue working with legislators to elevate the negative impact of unfunded government mandates on school district budgets. What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a fiscally responsible, forward-thinking collaborator currently serving as School Board Chair and member for the last 4 years. I humbly ask for your vote so that I may continue serving our community. During my first term, I’ve led the Board through numerous accomplishments including: 1) Identifying measurable goals and indicators of success; 2) Initiating monthly community listening sessions; 3) Adopting a goals- and standards-based evaluation model for the superintendent; 4) Developing annual surveys to gather input from staff, families, and learners. I am a strong advocate with a strong work ethic who brings a balanced perspective to the table. What do you think is the primary role of government? The role of government, more specifically school board governance, is to 1) set the vision of the district in partnership with the community and administrators, 2) develop the budget, policies, and infrastructure to guide implementation, 3) monitor progress for accountability and transparency, 4) engage the public to gather input and concerns, 5) communicate and make decisions effectively. How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? As current Board Chair, I am most proud of my commitment to not just tolerating different perspectives, but appreciating them. I proactively seek input from a wide range of community members, educators, families, and learners to inform my contributions and decisions as a Board member. I make sure that each board member has uninterrupted time to be heard, and initiated community listening sessions prior to each Board work session. I thoughtfully and purposefully model respect, integrity, and civil discourse. In a time when divisiveness feels ever-present, being a strong, balanced leader for my community and a positive role model for learners is one of the most important responsibilities that I carry as a Board member. Website or contact information: facebook.com/hjohnson192 Steven Tschetter Steven Tschetter.(Courtesy of the candidate) Age: 55 What would your top priorities be if elected? I am interest in focusing on three areas. Student success: engaging positive learning, focus on the core courses, and offer accelerated course opportunities. Parent involvement: Involving parents in all of our schools, open transparent communication, and welcoming parent engagement. Responsible/Safe operation: stable funding, good stewardship of the funds provided, look for opportunities to be efficient, and a safe welcoming environment. What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a detailed through person and consider myself a problem solver. I am a structural engineer and have been practicing for 27 years. I’m currently licensed in 10 different states including Minnesota. My current role is as a senior structural engineer, working on complex industrial projects in a range of sizes. Some of these project require a large team of both engineers and non-engineers working together to complete the finished project. What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of a government is to serve the citizens it represents. Government functions best when it is local with the closest ties to the citizens. How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? People have different opinions and we should expect this. When considering others opinions, I will ask follow up questions to clarify my understanding of that opinion in the hope that the actual differences are clear. 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