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.
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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.
About this race
The school board is responsible for setting the school district budget, adopting district policies and hiring and overseeing the superintendent.
Michelle Okeson and Mary Rotter are the incumbents in this race. Current Board member Sanford Nelson 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
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: 35
Community: Detroit Lakes
Employment: MN Flyers-Charitable Gaming
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Parents of kids in the school, former employee of DLPS, & former PTO member
Why are you running?
Our district has so much potential for positive change & opportunity for our students & staff that not every school can compete with
Why should voters elect you?
We need to focus on what matters: Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability, Academic Achievement & Student Success for EVERY student, Building relationships with families to aid in student success, Safety for EVERY student
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Voting on important issues regarding the school district
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
John Steffl
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Making sure funds are being responsibly spent, encouraging schools to come together to keep ALL STUDENTS safe! Promotion of Academy Model & helping students succeed
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Meeting students where they are and helping them grow
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Academy Model promotion
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.
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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Essentia Health announces merger; Detroit Lake school board introduces 'viewpoint neutrality' policyPlus: Lost hunters rescued near Hibbing. -
Contributed/Bob Dunlap via iNaturalistDuring the Phenology Report for the week of Sept. 29, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on overwintering butterflies, changing colors, and hummingbirds. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe Detroit Lakes School Board rescinded its July 2026 action that prompted an ACLU lawsuit as it prepares to amend its policy on non-school materials. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe healthcare companies announced the merger on Sept. 29, 2026. The combined company would include 22 hospitals and over 135 clinics in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
