Cloquet School District 2026 Election Guide

Age on Election Day: 50

Community: Cloquet

Employment: Northwood Children’s Services Program Director of Community Services

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

I have 26 years working in mental health, specifically children’s mental health. Seven of those years were recently in the Cloquet School District as a school social worker (Churchill Elementary). Throughout my career I have been in or involved in working with or in public schools in the area. I have worked for Carlton County as a children’s mental health social worker, where I worked in Washington elementary for 3 years as well. In my work at Northwood children’s services, I have directly worked within the Duluth school district as well and was able to see how another district operates daily. I believe this experience uniquely qualifies me to understand the challenges students and families face. It has also shown me how schools need to budget, plan for, and support academic, behavioral, and athletic programming.

Why are you running?

I am running because I want to give back to the community and school district I live in. I feel with my background in mental health, experience working in the district, and community outreach I can be a help in continuing to move our District forward. I do not have or want to have a singular platform to run on. I want our district to be well rounded and strive for excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts. We have great educators in our district and want to engage them in what they need to effectively do their jobs as well. I have two children who proudly graduated the last two years and a son who is currently in junior high. I am grateful and happy for the education and opportunities they were given and want to continue to make sure those opportunists and experiences continue for all.

Why should voters elect you?

Voters should know I want the best for students, staff, and families in our district. I am not afraid to go against the grain to support families and students. I want to also engage teachers in discussion about how to best provide educational services and what they need in order to effectively reach and educate our students. I believe in being fiscally responsible but still finding ways to continue to give students a variety of educational choices and paths. If voters want someone who believes in making educated and moral decisions, they should consider voting for me.

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

I believe the role is to be a steward for the community. I believe it is to be transparent and to work to vote and problem solve in a way that aligns with the good of all in mind. The role is also to sometimes make tough decisions but to do the research and due diligence to make educated decisions.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire all who choose to serve in public office. It can be thankless and difficult but when done for the right reasons, can and should be rewarding.

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

I do not have a specific item I am unhappy with the district on or one specific platform I am running on. I want to work to support initiatives that move the district forward. My personal interest lies in academic achievement, mental health support, athletics, and the arts. Children learn best when they are engaged and feel part of a school community. If they are part of teams, clubs, or groups, their academics are stronger and they have a sense of belonging. Safety and relationships in the schools are paramount to making sure students are in a healthy learning environment as well.

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

I believe in recent years, the budget has been an issue. Losing teachers, staff, and programming is not conducive to growing and giving more opportunities. I would like to look at enrollment and how to grow enrollment. We have great schools and a great community, and I would like to market and high light it.

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

College in the schools and career/tech ed classes are something I would continue to offer support for. These opportunities prepare students for the next steps they might take after graduation.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 38

Community: Cloquet, MN

Employment: Federal government- auditing superintendent

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

I feel my experiences as part of the St Cloud States student council gives me a unique perspective on policy and procedures as well as my auditing experience understanding regulations and accountability.

Why are you running?

I’m looking to bring structure to the school board through adherence to guidance to best support our community to include students, coaches, staff members and parents.

Why should voters elect you?

I feel I’m a data driven decision maker that asks the right questions to bring the best decisions for our district. I have experience holding board members accountable to the policies and procedures of the organization.

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

Serving as a voice for all facets of the community in regards to school related matters.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Amy Klobuchar. She is outcome based, she is willing to make changes, and work with members across the aisle.

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

Bringing Accountability for decisions and adherence to governing regulations. To show the community at large that following the rules and Bi-laws will bring trust back into the organization. To implement policy and procedures that are effective and data driven. That can be replicated and implemented for understanding and clarity for our community. Lastly to bring proactive decision making back into how we do business. Looking both at the present but also how our decision will impact the future so we can have a flourishing educational system.

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

Transparency! I would ask more relevant questions during the discussion period to demonstrate how each board member got to their answer and keep meeting on track and within the proscribed guidelines.

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

Our efforts to make sure that we are inclusive to all voices in the community. If elected I would like to participate in the diversity and equity committee to continue to have those voices heard.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 64

Community: Cloquet

Employment: Retired Educator

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

I bring over three decades of classroom experience supporting students in both Special Education and Elementary Education. My background includes extensive knowledge in elementary science and STEM, where I have organized hands-on science programs, established mentorships, and created interactive learning opportunities for young learners.

Beyond the classroom, I have shared my passion for teaching on a national stage. I presented at the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) Conference on innovative strategies for using fairy tales to teach science and STEM, and I was also a presenter at the inaugural FIRST STEM Forum.

Community Involvement

I am deeply committed to serving our local community. My involvement includes serving on local scholarship committees, regularly volunteering in classrooms, judging the FIRST Robotics Northern Lights Regional Event, and serving as a panelist for the Breaking Barriers event.

Why are you running?

Running for the school board isn’t just a campaign for me—it’s the natural next step in a life spent in our classrooms and community. After decades of working directly with students and staying involved in local youth programs, I’ve seen up close what truly helps kids succeed, and I want to bring that hands-on experience to the board table.

If elected, I intend to focus on three simple commitments:

Showing up and listening: Giving this role my full focus—attending every meeting, visiting classrooms, and remaining accessible to parents, teachers, and neighbors.

Keeping the focus on strong learning: Championing practical, hands-on learning—especially STEM—that gets kids excited to learn every day.

Building strong community bridges: Keeping communication open, honest, and transparent so families and residents always feel heard.

I offer real classroom experience, broad community perspective, and a collaborative mindset to help our schools thrive.

Why should voters elect you?

Serving my community means putting all students at the center of every single decision. Education is not just a past career for me—it my lifelong passion.

Leadership requires more than good intentions; it takes time, presence, steadfast dedication. I am fully committed to giving this role the time and energy it deserves—attending meeting, listening to parents and educators, and staying actively engaged in our schools.

When you cast your vote, you are choosing a leader who will always advocate for our students future and support our teachers.

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

"First and foremost, I believe my primary responsibility as a school board member is to be an active listener to our students, families, and community. Beyond that core duty, the fundamental roles of governance are clear: selecting and evaluating the superintendent, maintaining responsible fiscal oversight, and developing policies that keep our district strong. Ultimately, I view this role as serving as a transparent trustee for the public, ensuring our community has a dedicated voice and advocate at the table.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Sharon McMahon is a public leader I deeply admire, referring to herself as "America’s Government Teacher."
During the 2020 election cycle, she began publishing fact-based content on Instagram in response to rising misinformation. Her educational approach quickly earned her a massive, dedicated following.
Sharon uses her platform to drive change as a champion for educators. In August 2022, her community raised over $1.2 million , with 100% of the funds distributed to teachers .
She is a bestselling author. Her book, The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, From the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement, reminds us that true impact does not require fame or fortune. Sharon’s work serves as a powerful reminder that ordinary citizens can shape history, and that each of us plays a role in making America great. We all are small and mighty.

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

The last time the district wrote a vision statement was in 2020, and as we know, much has changed since then. The current plan is very generic, and I don't believe it actually serves as a guide for our future.
I believe the district would be better served by developing a true strategic plan. A solid strategic plan could accomplish many positive things, including setting a clear direction, helping the board make informed choices, managing limited resources, and tracking our success over time.

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

The biggest challenge facing the Cloquet School District is one shared statewide: a severe, multi-year budget deficit driven by declining enrollment. Because over two-thirds of state funding is per-pupil, lower enrollment leads directly to budget cuts.Minnesota voters can increase funding for every public school district this November—without raising individual income or property taxes! Meeting with our Superintendent revealed this measure could provide roughly $500,000 to Cloquet, offering valuable support for our financial concerns. While door-knocking, I am reminding voters to cast a "Yes" vote on this statewide ballot measure, noting that leaving the question blank counts as a "No" vote. If elected, I will actively participate in the Minnesota School Boards Association (MSBA) to collaborate with leaders across the state. I will also advocate directly at the State Capitol for our district's legislative priorities.

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

Our district’s high school science fair program is a major success, letting students conduct real research alongside local scientists, all built on a strong middle school STEM foundation. The missing piece is giving our elementary students that same early spark.
Throughout my career teaching STEM, honors like the Air Force Association Bong Chapter Teacher of the Year and a Toyota TAPESTRY Grant showed me how early, hands-on learning helps kids learn to problem-solve, collaborate, and think critically.
If elected, I will champion expanding STEM into elementary classrooms, supporting teachers with the tools and curriculum needed to bridge that gap—even if that means helping secure or fund supplies directly. I know firsthand the lasting difference early discovery makes, and I look forward to building on that success right here in Cloquet.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 41

Community: Cloquet

Employment: Arrowhead Juvenile Center, Corrections Counselor

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

Over the past eleven years I have worked with adolescents in mental health and behavioral settings. During that time I have held case management, crisis support, and leadership roles and have spent significant time working the floor with "boots on the ground" helping youth facing some of the most challenging times of their lives. I have seen firsthand how systems can help children and families, and hinder them. Currently I am working to serve justice-involved youth and coaching U6 soccer (which may be more challenging). Prior to those eleven years I was a member of the 148th Fighter Wing and served in the JAG Corps as a paralegal.

Why are you running?

First and foremost I am running because I am a parent of an incoming kindergartner and a fifth grader and because of this, I have a direct and vested interest in what schools look like for kids and families, including families whose children need more support than the average student. I think it is important that we have a district that can do two things at once; maintain strong academics and future readiness while also supporting student mental health, safety, staff, and families. I have spent years seeing where systems succeed and fail kids. This makes me want to be proactive and address challenges ahead of time rather than dealing with problems after they become crises.

Why should voters elect you?

I have seen what happens when problems are caught early and addressed and when they are not. My background gives me a firm understanding of the systems in place, and I have worked in organizations long enough to see how policies made at the top affect staff, families, and the youth we serve. I am willing to ask difficult questions and dig into information to make decisions based on facts. I care about transparency and accessibility as a governing principle; families should be able to understand what the board is doing, why decisions were made, and where to find that information. I bring both a parent and professional perspective. Lastly, I believe my temperament is going to be a key factor in my ability to govern in this role. I have been involved in situations where people are upset, stakes are high, and sound decision-making is still needed.

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

The school board sets the big-picture direction for the district. Members of the board approve the budget, policies, curriculum decisions, and major spending. They hire, support, and evaluate the superintendent, who handles the day-to-day operations of the district. Board members ensure the district is following the law and responsibly using public money. They look at whether students are actually succeeding and ask questions if something is not working. A key part of being a board member is to be service-minded. This includes listening to parents, staff, students, and community members and represent the district when making decisions.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

President Harry S. Truman. A throwback to my high school civics teacher, Mrs. Jablonski, who referred to him as the "True Man". I think he was a good role model for how to govern. Harry Truman's "The Buck Stops Here" philosophy was admirable and something I would like to emulate if I am ever elected to office. A leader should ultimately own every decision they make. He made some very difficult decisions, but was decisive in making them knowing that they could be unpopular and he would be judged for them. I really believe in accountability after the decision, being willing to stand behind a decision and accept responsibility for the outcome. Truman also was very good at communicating directly, which fits my desire for clearer government communication and transparency.

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

Student success and future readiness - A focus on strong academics and practical preparation for work, college, and trades. Making sure students are actually developing the skills they need after graduation.

Student mental health and staff support - A focus on early intervention, better coordination of supports, and making sure staff have the tools and resources to respond before issues become crises.

Transparency and communication - I would like to make it easier to access board information, timely records, clearer communication with families, and a more usable public archive of meetings and materials.

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

There are definitely challenges coming up that the district will face in the near future. I think the biggest of these challenges will be declining enrollment and the financial pressure that comes with it. We need to protect the classroom while making responsible budget decisions. I would encourage using data before making any cuts, being transparent with families and taxpayers about tradeoffs, and I would do my best to find ways to make Cloquet a district families want to choose and stay in.

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

I think something I could really support and help champion is the "Unified Champion School" designation awarded to Cloquet High School by the Special Olympics and the National Banner Award given this year. I think it is amazing the inclusion focus that Cloquet has really pushed for and made a success. Cloquet's school-based mental health partnerships have really started to come along and I believe more work can be put into that to help expand it and help our students who need additional supports.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 38

Community: Cloquet District of the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation

Employment: Independant Contractor - Anishinaabe Cultural Consultant / Educator

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

In 2015, I earned both an A.A. & A.A.S. in Human Services from FDLTCC and have since been involved in American Indian Education (AIE) in local public schools. I have engaged with Parent Committees in 3 different districts over the last 16 years. I served as an AIE Coordinator for about 3 years and have continued to consult with area AIE Directors, Coordinators, and Staff for the last 7 years. I have continued to study Anishinaabeg and U.S. History and Relations on my own since high school. These studies have taught me that education is the most powerful influencer of what we ALL hold sacred. No matter the culture we identify with, our children are sacred to us. Their education is the most important aspect of their upbringing. The work we do together can help create healing and help our communities better understand and respect one another.

Why are you running?

To support staff. The teachers, staff, the AIE Program of this District, and its parent committees helped shape my future. Their lessons and support have provided immeasurable benefits and guidance throughout my life. After graduating from the District in 2006, I have continued in the spirit of the work they laid the foundation for. I have used every skill I have gained from them and worked to gain even more skills to help heal our communities.

The AIPAC Committee filed Non-Concurrence with the District this spring, for very valid reasons. I believe with my skills and background, I can help the School Board better work with parent committees and staff to make necessary changes so that American Indian children of ISD 94 do not have to pay for their culture and language in college, but receive it, as law prescribes, throughout their upbringing, in their homes and in our schools.

Why should voters elect you?

Throughout my life, I've worked with schools and multicultural groups working to create change or opportunities for our communities and families. From networking to grant writing, I know how to collaborate to help make good things happen and problem-solve tough situations. With the fiscal insecurity in education, we need innovative people working to help keep opportunities abundant.

My experiences of overcoming adversity and extensive training in Indian Education laws and history make me an asset. We have a nearly 25% American Indian population; I can help the District navigate the challenges of a district with special responsibilities toward outcomes from which we can all benefit. Laws and funding to support them have been enacted for nearly 10 years now to help our children better coexist and work together through understanding the history and agreements with Tribes that made this country what it is today.

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

Our children are sacred; each community is unique. Therefore, education was intended to be predominantly directed by the states and local communities. As a school board, we act as a governing body, setting the policies and budgets that create the programming and personnel to carry out the mission and vision of the district envisioned by our communities.

We must braid community input, our resources, and data to make sound decisions that ensure the District is evolving in ways that create the best possible outcomes for all of our students. We are responsible for ensuring a safe environment that offers a fair education for all of our students.

As a border town to a Reservation, we have moral and legal responsibilities to ensure that the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indian students are met, in accordance with the wishes of our American Indian Community and Parent Committees.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Teachers, AIE Staff, and parents are leaders that I admire most. Without them, no new leaders would be born or developed to help bring our society closer to harmony. They deserve our support and understanding.

Each leader has their own qualities and creates impacts that teach me. I cannot name just one leader, but I will name the qualities that I admired from them all: the bravery and courage to serve with humility and love for the people they served, and especially for the way they served the ones not like them. I admired the way they put education and diversity at the forefront of issues to help empower the nation or tribe to better problem-solve their issues in the future. I admire the dreams and ripple effects they created by empowering our future generations to admire and enlist the complementary natures of our different cultures, while working together.

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

Through collaborative networking and cost-effective ways of utilizing the resources we have locally, we can help the District find stability and deepen community ties. Further ensuring we can continue offering all the opportunities we already do and more.

I plan to uplift and engage existing policies designed to create meaningful cross-cultural collaborations that bring lasting, positive changes for our entire school population. I plan to use all I have learned through my experiences with the District to help create more navigable, culturally inclusive, and wholesome environments for all of our students and families.

The safety of students, social-emotional, and community-building aspects of our educational experiences are my top priorities. Creating stronger relations between the local Tribe, communities, and schools should always be a priority of our educational systems. The more we can work together in respectful understanding and harmony, the better off all of our future generations will be.

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

Currently, the biggest challenge facing the district is financial uncertainty, navigating a lack of funding to support needed educational services. Acquiring new funding streams, opportunities, and utilizing local resources will be integral to ensuring we can support our staff’s innovative efforts that bring real success to our students and families.

Another great and ongoing challenge has been finding harmony and alignment with longstanding American Indian Educational Standards and Laws. Through open discussions, trainings, and collaborations, we can work together to create more positive outcomes. By accessing the many underutilized local resources designed to address these barriers, we can make progress in these areas with no added fiscal encumbrance on the district.

We need to honor developments already created by the people throughout history in our communities and continue building on the foundations they provided. Being mindful of our impact on the next 7 generations will always be the main challenge.

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

One unique success in the district I would offer support with is creating more harmony and understanding between our communities.

We need to ensure that Ojibwe Language is consistently offered K-12 and that “American Indian Education for All” Standards are fully implemented; our students can graduate knowing who they and their neighbors truly are. These standards have been made law and implemented to help heal the past and ensure our cultures live on for future generations.

Our teachers need real support and meaningful curriculum connections to carry out these requirements. We are all Treaty People; we all have our sides of the contracts to uphold. We need to ensure that a new future, with harmonious cooperation between cultures, is possible.

Our school districts that border reservations need to become avenues of reclamation of tribal identity as much as our educational systems were used to decimate tribal identities throughout history.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.