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Cass Lake-Bena School District 2026 Election Guide

Hannah Baird, Jolyn Donnell, Margaret Fairbanks, Terri Finn and Giniwgiizhig are running for Cass Lake-Bena School Board.

KAXE contacted each candidate at least twice to invite them to participate in our Election Guide, using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.

Candidate responses have not been edited and are published exactly as submitted, including typos and formatting.

As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics. We will make every effort to make note of inaccuracies if they come to our attention.

Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.

KAXE's Election Guide includes contested races in communities with at least 100 people. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else will be on the ballot in November.

Election Guide Homepage


About this race

The school board is responsible for setting the school district budget, adopting district policies and hiring and overseeing the superintendent.

Jolyn Donnell and Terri Finn are the incumbents in this race. Lenny Fineday, former secretary-treasurer for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, 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

Hannah Baird

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Jolyn (Holstein) Donnell

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Margaret Fairbanks

Age on Election Day: 71

Community: Cass Lake

Employment: Teacher's on call/Kelly service / substitute

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

Working in education for 31 years and being involved in community events..

Why are you running?

To better assist in the education of our children.

Why should voters elect you?

I am aware of the problems some of our students and teachers go through and would like to help.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

School Board. To be present at meetings and being involved in decision making for the better of the Cass Lake -Bena school district

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Luann Frazier,prior Indian Education Director. She always dealt with students and family needs in the schools. She is also my friend.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

To listen to parents, teachers and students and find solutions when needed.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?

Attendance from students and better communication and unity between school and homes.

What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?

Education,Cultural and community awareness.

Terri Finn

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Giniwgiizhig

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.


Return to Election Guide

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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