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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.
Andrea M. Haverinen, Katie Howard and David Treinen are the current school board members whose seats are up for election. All are running 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.
Age on Election Day: 48
Community: Menahga
Employment: I'm a Network Relations Manager at Sentara Health Plans
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Throughout my professional career, I have developed skills in leadership, collaboration, planning and problem-solving which I think will help me make decisions as a member of the Menahga School Board. These experiences have taught me the importance of listening to different perspectives, working as a team and finding solutions to tough problems. In addition, I have also spent several years serving on two different booster clubs in Menahga. Through these roles I have demonstrated my commitment to our community by helping organize events and lead fundraising efforts to help support our youth programs.
Why are you running?
I am running for Menahga School Board because I love our school and community. I want to have a seat at the table to listen, understand and learn about balancing budgets responsibly, ensuring we have policies that support academic excellence and student well-being. I am not running because I have all the answers; I am running because I will listen, learn and work hard to ensure our schools provide the best possible opportunities for every child that attends Menahga Public Schools.
Why should voters elect you?
Voters should consider supporting me because I care about the success of Menahga Public Schools, the students who attend our school, and the future of our community. I bring professional experience in leadership, collaboration, planning and problem-solving, along with years of involvement in our schools through booster clubs. I want to understand the needs of students, parents, teachers and staff and bring those needs forward to keep our district moving in the right direction. I won't always have every answer, but I will do my best to find an answer and make decisions on what is best for students and the long-term success of Menahga Public Schools.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
If elected to Menahga School Board, I will learn more about all the roles and responsibilities that will be required of me. I know that the school board should be making/upholding goals for the school district, managing budgets and staffing, and ensuring students and staff have resources and opportunities needed to be successful. I am eager to dig in and learn more about serving the Menahga School District by being on the school board.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
My dad has been a bus driver for Menahga Public Schools for close to 30 years. He has been a hard worker all his life and his dedication to Menahga by transporting kids safely to and from school is something I have I have always admired about him.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
If elected to the Menahga School Board, I want to listen to our students, parents and community members to understand their concerns regarding our school. I want to work collaboratively with other board members and ensure there is transparency when tough decisions are being made.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
As someone who is currently not on the Menahga School Board, I think it's important to first listen and learn to understand what our school's biggest challenge is. If elected to the Menahga School Board, I will do my best to listen to anybody who has a concern and do my best to bring that concern forward to the School Board.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Menahga's commitment to our students by giving them academic opportunities to help them succeed both in school and life.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 43
Community: Rural Menahga
Employment: Self employed with AH Grafix as a graphic artist
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am a current Menahga School Board member and have been in this position for 12 years. During my time I have served as Vice Chair and Chair. I am currently the elected school board member for District 10 on the Minnesota School Boards Assocation board, as well as the Chair for Region 5 Development Commission for our 5 county area.
Why are you running?
To continue providing a quality educational experience for those students who choose to participate in the public education system.
Why should voters elect you?
I am a good listener and respect the differing opinions our community has on issues that come before the school board.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
To bridge the gap between community and school administration - board members must balance a budget, hire and evaluate a superintendent, and build policy that reflects the values of the community.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
This section is not relevant to my running for office.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Make fiscally responsible decisions to maintain our fund balance, evaluate and direct the superintendent, and reflect the wishes of our community in the way our school operates.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Making public education relevant in this century. My aim is to equip students with the tools and skills they need to be successful, contributing adults.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
The school board, administration team, and community have created and continue to revisit our strategic plan. I would continue to evaluate and contribute to progress in this plan.
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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