Pequot Lakes School District 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 48

Community: Pequot Lakes

Employment: Pillar Consulting, Medical Biller

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I have served the past 4 years on the Pequot Lakes School Board. Previous to that I served on the board of a non-profit in Nebraska. My background in business consulting and coaching gives me strengths in organizational growth and fiscal planning.

Why are you running?

I am running to continue being a voice at the table for our community and school stakeholders. Student success does not happen in a vacuum inside the walls of the school only. Student success happens when the community at large works along side the school for student success.

Why should voters elect you?

I am a community member, parent, and local business owner. I see the different perspectives of how decisions impact different stakeholders. I have experience serving on negotiations, communications and facility committees showing my commitment to staying involved and active in board functions.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

At the core, the school boards roles and responsibility it to oversee fiscal management of the district, hire and evaluate the superintendent, including working with the superintendent on setting the strategic plan of the district and overseeing it's implementation.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire any public leader that leads with service leadership. A leader that has the ability understand different perspectives, be open minded and still stay firm in their core convictions.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

District finances: Pequot Lakes school district is one the the least funded per pupil districts in the state. It is imperative that we make every dollar count. At a time when property taxes are ever increasing we have an opportunity to lower our residents taxes and increase school funding.

Academic success: Pequot Lakes administration and staff have made great strides in the past few years and we are a pivotal point to continue that trend. As a board we will need to work alongside our amazing administration and staff to monitor progress and track results. This year will be a significant lift as we implement the new math curriculum, making it especially important that we monitor outcomes and use results to guide our efforts.

Editor's note: Pequot Lakes was ranked 307 of 328 for per-pupil general education revenue in 2025, according to the Minnesota Department of Education. Johnson is referring to the district's referendum when she mentions lowering taxes and increasing school funding.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?

Equitable per pupil financing from the state. At a district level administration has started to be a voice in St. Paul. We will need to continue working with our local representatives to get more momentum and solid change to occur.

What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?

When taxpayers turned down a referendum we came back to the drawing board as a board, administration, staff, students, and community to come up with a more balanced approach. It is this communicative and collaborate approach from students, staff, administration, the board and the community that will need to continue to see the ultimate student success that we all are striving for.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: N/A

Community: Pequot Lakes

Employment: ISD 186 as a day-to-day substitute teacher and a school board director.

Editor’s note: Under Minnesota statute, a school board member can only be employed by the district if they expect to earn no more than $20,000 each fiscal year.

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

I have served on the ISD 186 School Board for two terms. My working knowledge of the responsibilities and limitations of this position is a valuable asset to our high functioning school board. My entire career, which continues to this day, has been spent in the field of education. I have been a full-time classroom instructor, a sports coach, a student teacher mentor, a homebound instructor, an ECFE parent educator, a long-term and day-to-day substitute teacher, and a guardian ad litem in Crow Wing, Cass, and Aitkin counties. I am the parent of a PLHS graduate, and am now a grandparent to three children in the ISD 186 school system. This unique blend of experiences has kept me firmly in touch with the ever-changing world of public education, and makes me an ideal choice for this position.

Why are you running?

I am seeking reelection to what will be my third and final term. I believe that serving on the school board is one of the most important of civic responsibilities and a way to give back to our communities by devoting my time and talents to the role of school board director.

Why should voters elect you?

My priority is to serve our students and families by always keeping the best interests of our children at the forefront. I am honest and trustworthy. I have served with integrity in the past, and do not have an agenda, either personal or political. I am a nonpartisan choice and a firm advocate for public education.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

The role of a school board is to maintain financial oversight for the school district and be fiscally responsible. We are to be the communication link between the taxpayers and school district leadership. We develop and set policies to govern the school district, and we hire the superintendent. We are tasked with strategic planning for the district and are expected to provide high level vision and leadership as we do so.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

It is impossible to pinpoint one specific public leader as there are countless individuals that would qualify. The qualities that make a public leader stand out are their abilities to listen, compromise, and see both sides of an issue before they make a decision. They remain calm and collected during a crisis and are problem solvers. They are loyal and trustworthy and true examples of what it means to have integrity.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

I will prioritize our core mission as school board directors above any individual interests, pet projects, or political agenda. I will keep the needs of our students at the forefront of our policy decisions. I will always prioritize what is in the best interests of our students and families by seeking equal access to academic and educational opportunities for all. I will seek to maintain a staff that holds students to high standards, both academically and personally, challenges them to broaden their horizons, and encourages them to think for themselves. My overall goal is for ISD 186 to become the unrivaled School District of Excellence in Central Minnesota.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?

ISD 186 is facing many issues, the same as all public schools. I believe social media influences, school safety, and fluctuations in funding and enrollment to be three of the most pertinent challenges. I am proud of the steps our district leadership has already taken to deal with these issues, but also feel that we need to be vigilant and constantly assess our efforts, seeking improvement and updating when and where it is necessary.

What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?

Thanks to the referendum that was passed, we are now building and developing a center for careers, technology, and trades education in our high school. Not every student chooses a career that requires a four year degree. We are able to provide training and internships for students that are interested in careers that require special skills in order to be able to provide vital and necessary services in our communities. Everyone benefits. Everyone wins.

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 36

Community: Breezy Point

Employment: Sourcewell, Associate Director

Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.

Being on the School Board the last few years through some major changes and the current referendum has taught me so much. I have also served in Local Government roles working with City, County, Special Districts, K12 & Higher Education. I view myself as a connector & enjoy collaborating with others.

Why are you running?

I have long family ties to the Pequot Lakes area. I care deeply about the community, the education, and school environment. I want to continue to build on our Patriot Pride and strong school staff. We are so fortunate to have such a great school here.

Why should voters elect you?

I'm not looking to be different. I live here, I have kids here, I spend my time here. I want what is best for the kids, staff, and our community. I have shown up and done the work and will continue to on behalf of the area.

Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.

Financial Management/Oversight, Superintendent Oversight, Policy, Advocacy, Planning

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Current Board member Kim Bolz-Andolshek. She has served our district for 20+ years and a major reason we have remained financially stable and successful as a school district.

What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.

Successful Completion of our current referendum and renovations.
Continued growth in academic success and measuring those results.
School Safety both physically and mentally.
Community Collaboration with parents, staff, and students.

What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?

Low Student Funding. Continue to build on the success of previous boards and collaborating with our Superintendent and business managers to ensure financial balance.

What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?

Current renovations and improvements of both the Eagle View Elementary Facility and our HS and MS facility.