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About this race
The school board is responsible for setting the school district budget, adopting district policies and hiring and overseeing the superintendent.
Dena Bishop and Faye DeLong are the only incumbents in this race. Current School Board Treasurer Janna Engel did not file for reelection.
The top three candidates will begin their four-year terms in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Age on Election Day: 44
Community: Halstad
Employment: Fergus Falls School District, teacher
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am starting my 22 year as a teacher.
Why are you running?
My interest in serving is to ensure a healthy functioning district for students, staff, and families. Additionally, to make a positive impact and serve multiple terms.
Why should voters elect you?
I am active in my community and am very civic minded. I believe my background in education will provide a valuable perspective to the board and those that I will serve. I volunteer as much as I can to support students in our community. I also have three children enrolled in the district with one to follow.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The role of the school board is defined by state statute. According to the Minnesota School Board Association website, "the board's authority to govern, manage, and control the district."
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Theodore Roosevelt. I admire his foresight of valuing conservation and public lands.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
My priorities would be to ensure safety and security of our students and staff. Additionally, to create measures to align with district goals and to help ensure accountability and growth for our administration. Lastly, to support responsible spending and financial planning and to be a voice for families.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Maintaining academic performance of students. As well as to attract and retain high quality staff. To address this, we would responsibly use resources to maintain the health of the school district.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
One success in the district is the number of offerings for students (activities). I think having many avenues for students of all ages to feel valued and supported can not be overstated.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 41
Community: Ada
Employment: Self Employed Farmer
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Was a Business Ed. Teacher for 6 years in St. Thomas, ND. Many years coaching and officiating high school basketball and fastpitch softball.
Why are you running?
I am running to be active in my community, I want to be apart of my kids education, and be a positive voice for our school district.
Why should voters elect you?
I believe my prior experience as a teacher and coach will be an asset for our school board. I have a sound business background in running our family farm in Mahnomen, MN. I believe we have a great school system and facilities in Ada. I want to make sure we continue that success.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Being an active member on the school board of Ada-Borup-West
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
That’s a tough question. Can I plead the fifth? I admire any public leader that is truthful, honest, and can make a positive impact for everyone.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
I want to make sure our administration, staff, and students have the best tools necessary to have a positive experience. I want our administration to be active with our teachers and students on a daily basis. I also believe our school resource officer should have a bigger presence in our school, especially at the front door at the start of the school day. I feel we need to do a better job at seeing who’s walking into our school at the start of the day.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
One of the biggest challenges is lack of qualified people going into education to become teachers. I believe we have some of the best and we need to be able to retain them and attract new teachers to our community when we are in need. We need to be competitive and fair when it comes to salary. We also need to make sure we are getting the help that our teachers need, as far as teacher aids, and school materials that create the best experience for our kids. Technology is great thing but I also think we need a school environment without cellphones in our students hands. I think it’s also okay to go back to pencil and paper a little bit more, than everything being done on a screen.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
I believe we have many things to be proud of in Ada when it comes to our school district. I just want to do my part in keeping the success in our school going.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
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