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.
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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.
Brenda Sue Heikkila, Paul Olson and Julie Peterson are the candidates 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.
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 64
Community: Moose Lake
Employment: Minnesota Sex Offender Program, Security Counselor.
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I worked at the school for 13 years in special education. Served as local AFSCME union president for 3 years. I am a disabled veteran.
Why are you running?
To direct an equal education program. Students should be educated for life and success. Not just college preparation.
Why should voters elect you?
I speak direct. I try to look outside of the box. I have lived in many different areas of the country and witnessed what works to make schools successful and what doesn't.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Help create policy, budget efficiently and help direct administrators.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Donald J Trump. He upsets the status quo and does not accept "We have always done it that way."
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Educate complete youth.
Govern the budget in a strict fiscal manner.
Place equal education in the trades and college prep.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Good fiscal operation. Sale the land in excess owned by the school to increase capital. This sale should be to a developer that will create truly affordable housing. The families buying these homes would increase enrollment. It would also increase the tax base for the city.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
The special education programs. Help provide a real living wage for support staff (i.e. paraprofessionals, bus drivers, janitorial, maintenance and cooks)
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 74
Community: Moose Lake
Employment: Assisted living director
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have served on the Mose Lake School Board for many years. I have also served on other boards in the past, including the library board, Arrowhead Library System and the Northeast Service Cooperative. It takes time, energy and commitment to serve on a board.
Why are you running?
I am running because I am dedicated to keeping the Moose Lake School District successful, fiscally sound, and able to provide our students with a quality education. It is not always easy to have the dedication to serve on a school board but the community deserves sound decision making from a board that is genuinely concerned. I
Why should voters elect you?
I am dedicated and care about our school and the community.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
A board member must have sound decision making and understand that the board must work together. Attending meetings and getting the background information needed to make those sound decisions is vital.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Ted Shaw. Ex mayor of Moose Lake. He is honest and cared about our community and did what he felt was right.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
The students should always be our priority. It must an our goal to make sure they are all successful and prepared for the world.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Declining enrollment, which is a problem in many northern Minnesota districts, and reduced funding. We must maintain a sound and stable budget within the parameters given.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Our new school, which provides a safe and healthy place to learn.
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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