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.
Matthew Erickson, Ryan Opdahl, Mark Sorenson and Paul Stromstad occupy the seats currently up for election. All but Stromstad are running for reelection.
The top four 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.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 51
Community: Fertile
Employment: 119 Wing Chaplain
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have taught (at the collegiate level) and currently serve as a chaplain in the Air National Guard (though anything I say here does not represent the USAF or the DoW officially). As a chaplain, a past college teacher, and a parent of three children who have attended Fertile-Beltrami High School, I will place the well-being of our town's children first. I believe the local public school is a primary mover and shaper and of the future lives of our children.
Why are you running?
Honestly, to serve my community out of gratitude.
Why should voters elect you?
I will operate by integrity first and will seek to place the well-being of our students first.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
School Board
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Ronald Reagan--he kept things real while usng humor appropriately.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
To further the education and extra-curricular opportunities of our children.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Rural schools consistently face transportation costs and funding challenges. I would vote with inteigrity, placing the needs of our children front and center.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Our outstanding education and recruitment of excellent teachers.
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.
Incumbent
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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