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.
Current board members Andy Lindow and Aimee Plumley are running for reelection. Jennifer McNamee is not seeking another term.
The top three candidates will begin their four-year terms in January.
Ballot Questions
Question 1
Shall the school board of Independent School District No. 308 (Nevis Public School), Minnesota be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $11,100,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction and equipping of career and technical education (CTE) spaces; the construction and equipping of new classrooms; the repurposing and remodeling of existing classrooms and spaces for educational needs; renovations and updates to the safe and secure entrances and office area; the renovation and equipping of the existing kitchen, cafeteria, and restrooms; and addressing deferred maintenance including but not limited to playgrounds, technology and security cameras and building access? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
Question 2
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School Board District No. 308 (Nevis Public School), Minnesota be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $6,050,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including, but not limited to, the construction and equipping of a multi-purpose physical education space, fitness area, restrooms and additional parking? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
Question 3
If School District Question 1 is approved, shall the school board of Independent School District No. 308 (Nevis Public School), Minnesota be authorized to issue its general obligation school building bonds in an amount not to exceed $425,000 to provide funds for the acquisition and betterment of school sites and facilities including but not limited to the construction and equipping of a bus maintenance building? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
More information
Question 1 would raise property taxes on a $400,000 home by about $24 a month, Question 2 by about $13 a month and Question 3 by about $1 a month.
If the referendum fails, the district says its challenges — including outdated career and technical education spaces, security issues, aging HVAC and shortcomings with cafeteria, commons and physical education spaces — will continue to grow and the cost of addressing those challenges will likely increase.
You can find more information about the referendum on the district's website.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 53
Community: Nevis
Employment: Self Employed - Real Estate Appraiser
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
19 years of multi-housing industry as a regional property manager overseeing 20-25 buildings all aspects of maintenance, budgeting, government reporting, employee hiring/dismissing...
Why are you running?
As a long standing member of the Nevis community, myself having graduated from Nevis School as well as several family members, and coming family members. My family has also been employed by the Nevis school district for many many years as well as currently my daughter being a faculty member at the Nevis school, I want to give back to the school that means so much to me and our community for all it as given to my family.
Why should voters elect you?
I want to make a positive contribution to to our school, our students and faculty members by bringing my own past and current experiences, past and current employment experience, that may transfer to meaningful input to our school. I intend to bring a fresh outlook and contribute in a positive way to our school that means so much to our community and my family.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Contributing to the governing of the local public school district of Nevis.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I choose not to answer
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Admin evaluation, School expansion and upgrades, getting a bond approved.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Getting a school bond approved, finding qualified persons to fill administrative roles in a small community. We need more transparency in administrative roles as well as community involvement and transparency in the needs of an expansion.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Getting a bond passed with clarity and transparency
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Age on Election Day: 64
Community: Nevis
Employment: Retired June 30, 2026 from Park Rapids ISD 309. I was the Director of Special Education serving PAWN Special Education member districts of Park Rapids, Nevis, Pine Point, Walker-Hackensack-Akeley, and the Up North Learning Center.
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
My career in education spans nearly 40 years serving in individual districts as well as with two different special education cooperatives which has allowed me to experience multiple rural MN schools across Northern and North Central MN. This has provided me with varied views as to how schools operate. I have served in different roles from para-educator to special education teacher, to special education administrator and have served on numerous committees within the school, district, cooperative, region, and state levels. I hold the following MN teacher licenses: Elementary Education, Emotional/ Behavior Disorders, and Learning Disabilities; as well as administrative licenses in District Superintendent, Principal K-12, and Director of Special Education. My vast array of education and experiences, along with raising 3 children and working alongside my husband on the family farm and repair shop, has prepared me well to be a candidate for the Nevis school board.
Why are you running?
A thriving community values education and public service and the community continues to thrive when community members step up and serve. I chose to retire to have more flexibility and time in my schedule for my family and our farm, yet recognize the importance of service to the community. Serving on the Nevis school board would be a way for me to continue to contribute to education and provide a needed service to the Nevis community.
Why should voters elect you?
School board officials need to be student focused looking towards the success of all students while working within the constraints of the law, contracts, and budgets. A school board member needs to see the big picture and shape the policies and budget for the betterment of the whole population served. As a former administrator, my background aligns well with this role. I value teamwork and connecting with students, staff, parents and residents of the community. I know the time and energy it takes to stay current on mandates, annual contracts, and interagency agreements as well as staying connected. I am willing and able to provide this time and energy to this position.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The school board sets expectations and parameters through the district's strategic plan. It is charged with the responsibility of setting district policy and the budget. It is also responsible for negotiating and approving contracts with the staff and with venders. The board is responsible for the hiring and evaluating the superintendent's work as well as to listen, interact, and engage with the public. School board members need to work within the guidelines set by law, review the guidelines and attend the trainings from the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA). School board members are to make sound and ethical decisions based on data. All this and still stay student focused.
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
I admire Dr. Deb Henton who served as the executive director of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators (MASA) from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2026. Her online bio outlines her career including teacher, principal, executive director, chief of staff, and superintendent. She was twice appointed to the State Board of School Administrators. She has earned multiple honors and awards including 2018 Superintendent of the year award, the MASA's Kay E. Jacobs Memorial Award, and the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education (MASE) Distinguished Service Award for her longstanding commitment to Minnesota public education advancing educational practices and going above and beyond in serving students, educators, and administrators. She has been a role model for others, leading with courage and compassion despite great challenges. She has been a steadfast champion for students and public education supporting educational leaders across the state.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Priorities for the district are outlined in the district Strategic Plan which is in effect for 2022-2027 and has provided a solid plan with 4 main focus areas of Student Achievement; School Culture and Climate; High Quality Work Force; and Efficient Operations. With this timeline in mind, one of the priorities need to be focused on the next 5-year Strategic Plan. Once the Bond Referendum is determined in November, the board will need to focus on either moving forward with the building project or look at other options to meet the needs of the district. Board members are assigned to various committees within the district. If elected I would like to be considered for the following committee assignments as my background lends to expertise in these areas: AIPAC, Curriculum Assessment Instruction Team, PAWN Special Education, and the Up North Learning Center.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
The most immediate challenge for the district will be determined on November 3 at the election and that is the 3 questions regarding the Bond Referendum. The first question addresses additions and renovations that support student learning and safety; the second question would add a new multi-purpose physical education space and fitness area and additional parking; and the third question would add a bus maintenance building. If question 1 passes and either or both of the other two questions pass the challenge will be to work through the construction stages of the renovations and additions. If the bond referendum fails the challenge will be to determine how best to move forward with limited space and how to plan for the district's facility maintenance despite an aging infrastructure. Either which way, there are challenges to be addressed surrounding the district facilities and grounds.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
I would like to recognize and provide support for the district's initiatives to provide a robust career and technical education and opportunity for internship programs. Students have access not only to college courses leading to an Associate of Arts (AA) degree but also courses in the trades. In recent years Nevis has offered a pathway to obtain a state boilers certification as part of the coursework, as well as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate. As a board it is important to continue to look at ways to prepare students for life after high school.
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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