Rock Ridge School District 2026 Election Guide

Contributed

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 52

Community: Virginia

Employment: Culbert Realty

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

I am a current Rock Ridge School Board Member. I have gained much valuable experience, during my time on the board, in understanding the responsibilities that come with serving our district. I grew up in this community and have a strong personal connection to Rock Ridge. My professional experience in real estate has also given me experience in communication, negotiation, problem-solving, budgeting, and working with people from many different backgrounds. I believe these skills, along with my experience on the School Board and my commitment to our community, have prepared me to continue serving effectively.

Why are you running?

I’m running for reelection because I care deeply about our school district and love these communities. I’m proud to have been born and raised here, and even prouder that I’ve had the opportunity to raise my own children here. This community means a great deal to me, and I have a personal and vested interest in seeing our district succeed. I want to continue serving our students, families, and communities and help ensure Rock Ridge remains a strong district for generations to come.

Why should voters elect you?

I have learned so much from my time on the school board. I’ve gained a better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that come with serving. I am always willing to listen and learn. I try to ask tough questions and consider different perspectives. I do my best to put aside personal interest and focus on what is best for our district as a whole.

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

School Board is responsible for overseeing the school district and making decisions that are in the best interest of our students and community. This includes setting policies, approving the budget, overseeing district finances and resources, and hiring and evaluating the superintendent.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

I admire former school board member, Bill Culbert. He happens to be my dad. It was under his encouragement that I ran for office in the first place. Growing up, I watched the time and effort he put into serving our community, and I saw how seriously he took the responsibility. He taught me that being a good leader means listening to people, being willing to consider different viewpoints, and doing what you believe is best for the community.

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

My priorities are to continue putting students at the center of our decisions, maintain responsible financial management, and support our teachers and staff. Rock Ridge is a career academy style learning and I'd like to continue to support and create more opportunities for kids.

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

I believe one of our biggest challenges is balancing the needs of our students and schools with the financial realities facing our district. We want to provide our students with as many opportunities as possible while also being responsible with taxpayer dollars. If reelected, I will continue to ask questions, look carefully at how resources are being used, and work with the other board members and administration to find solutions that are financially responsible.

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

One success I would continue to support is the development of our career academy style learning. As a new district, I’m proud that we have already started creating more opportunities for students to explore careers and gain hands-on experience. I believe we are doing a good job getting this started, but there is still room to grow and expand these opportunities. As a board member, I would support continuing to develop these programs and building stronger connections with local businesses and community partners so our students have even more opportunities to explore different career paths.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 55

Community: Eveleth

Employment: Eveleth Elks #1161, Gambling Manager

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

I am a lifelong resident of Eveleth, MN. I graduated from high school at Eveleth-Gilbert High School and both of my children went through the district as well.I worked in Higher Education at Hibbing Community College for 21 years prior to becoming the gambling manager. I believe my experience at the higher education level and my accounting knowledge will be useful in this position. And I want to make a positive difference in the lives of those in our community

Why are you running?

To be part of the solution and come up with creative ways to solve issues. I like to bring out of the box thinking and I love brainstorming on how we can grow and continue to make Rock Ridge a destination school where we have a waiting list of students eager to join us. I want to continue to maintain fiscal responsibility within our district and also continually look for additional avenues for revenue streams, grants and more that will allow us continue our mission of providing a safe place for learning to happen for all ages.

Why should voters elect you?

I am not afraid to ask the hard questions. I will listen more than I talk and I will form my own opinions based on facts that I'm presented with. I want our school board to be a model for other schools to follow. We have to continually improve and be open to changes that will make us better. It's a hard sell, but it can happen, slowly, with thoughtful, oftentimes hard conversations. I will not back down from convictions of why we have to all back our district and our teachers, students, and staff to make this the best place to get an education on the Iron Range.

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

The role of the school board I believe is to make fiscally responsible decisions that will affect our district. We need to be given adequate direction from administration, but ultimately, we have hired administration to do what the school board recommends. Of course that means doing our due diligence, thorough research, conversations with the teachers, students, parents, to make sure we're doing exactly what we were hired to do.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Cal Warwas. I believe in his mission to save the Iron Range, to protect mining and jobs for all of our communities. He fights for us in St. Paul. He truly cares about the families on the Iron Range, he keeps us all informed as to what is happening and he listens, to everyone. He may not always do something everyone agrees with, but he takes the time to really get to know who he is representing and he continues to work hard for us.

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

There are so many issues that people want to deal with, but we must understand that we cannot take on each and every thing that people say needs fixing. I want a balanced budget for our school. I want adequate staffing so teachers and students are able to have small class sizes. I want to address bullying, transportation issues, and more. This is not specific to Rock Ridge. The issues we are facing in our district many surrounding schools are to. We need to brainstorm and cooperate with each other and our communities to make sure we are all doing the best we can for our future leaders. The current board members have done an amazing job thus far, but I believe it's time for some fresh ideas, different perspectives, someone who has a vested interest in making our communities thrive so we can continue to all live here.

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

Small class sizes. It's difficult to have small class sizes when we don't have enough teachers. Teachers need a fair contract, we need to pass the permanent school fund question this November so that every school will get more funding from the state. We need to make it a priority to deliver on promises made. I think by focusing on improving certain areas, we can attract more students, which would allow us to then hire more teachers. Rock Ridge school should have a waiting list for students in all grade levels. That's how amazing this campus is. We have state of the art equipment and top notch instructors. We need to continue to remind everyone of that and give the students reasons to come to us. Let's focus on amazing things we can do.

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

We have been able to offer the students nothing short of a world class space to learn in. I think that needs to be celebrated. We did it despite all of the controversy surrounding the entire merger/building/etc. Now, it's time to remember why we all fought so hard for this amazing campus and this wonderful opportunity for our area children. The communities of Virginia, Eveleth and Gilbert spoke when they voted to allow this to happen. There will always be those that are upset that it happened, but we need to find a way to showcase how wonderful we are and be proud of how we got here. None of us can change the past, but we can be fiercely united for a better future. And that's the vision I see for our district.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 41

Community: Eveleth, MN

Employment: Laurentian Elementary - Playground Aide

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

Reliability engineer and management with experience in data analysis, problem-solving, and school-district employment

Why are you running?

I believe our schools need accountability with common sense, and a School Board that listens to the community

Why should voters elect you?

I am a parent of students in the district, so the decisions made affect me as much as the rest of the community

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

Set policies, approve all budgets, oversee the superintendent’s actions, listen to the community’s input.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Paul Wellstone inspires me because he listened, showed up, and cared about the people he served.

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

To support staff and students & itemize/analyze the budget.

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

Budget and enrollment are the biggest challenges. By digging into the numbers, and try to keep students enrolled.

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

A success I would support is the district’s commitment to providing many opportunities for students.

Contributed

Age on Election Day: 45

Community: Virginia

Employment: I am currently employed as the Executive Director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools (RAMS).

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

I am a former teacher, coach, and union president. My wife and I are parents of four active students in the Rock Ridge district. Our kids are involved in school sports, activities, and the arts. We are invested!

As a band and choir teacher for 15 years, I led programs that made a difference in kids lives. I also served as a board member and teacher ethics committee member on the State Board of Teaching. Excellence, accountability, and transparency are high priorities.

I come from a mining family. I understand the economic and workforce pressures our region faces, including the role our schools can play in helping address them. In my work, I have seen the effect that declining enrollment, reduced state funding, and increased mandates have on school budgets. My perspective informs how I would thoughtfully manage through these challenges and minimize impacts on student opportunities and learning.

Why are you running?

I am running for the well-being of my four children in the Rock Ridge District, as well as all other families! Our communities made massive investments in new school buildings to support excellent programs and opportunities for everyone. Taxpayers deserve a school that lives up to its promise. Financial accountability is very important to me. The board must be a wise steward of public tax dollars.

Even though this district has a good foundation, it is still growing and finding its way. There are some areas for improvement: the responsible use of technology at school, addressing bullying, and ensuring continued investment in excellent academics and activities.

I am focused on making sure Rock Ridge is a place where staff are respected and want to work. Most importantly, I am running to ensure that Rock Ridge is a place that students and families want to be.

Why should voters elect you?

I am always listening and seeking input from families, school staff, community members, and business owners. Board members don't know it all, and need help getting the right information to make informed decisions.

The strength of our schools, community, and future are built on respect, trust, transparency, and accountability. These are more than buzz words, they are words I live by. That leadership begins at the top, the school board. Schools function best when they focus on the core business of education.

I will lead with purpose, integrity, and gratitude: When one of our children needed extra help with reading, staff at Rock Ridge identified the problem and took action to get them the help they needed. We experienced first-hand the dedication and effort teachers gave to meet our children's needs. I want to make sure every student has access to great opportunities at Rock Ridge!

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

School board members set policy, hire and evaluate the superintendent, and provide financial oversight of the district budget. Board members help create the strategic plan (both short and long-term goals) for the district and connect the community to the school by listening to the public. They serve on committees and set the direction for the school.

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

Mayor Adam Roen of Eveleth, for coming in and shaking things up! He brought new energy and ideas to the city at a time when it was needed! I hope to bring a fresh, but grounded perspective to the Rock Ridge School Board.

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

Watch the budget and ensure the financial health of the district, reduce class sizes in elementary and high school, make sure transportation model meets district needs, examine administrative positions, continue to support project-based learning, and develop a governance model for the board. Make sure that the voices of all communities are represented in decision-making.

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

Trust and communication. These things go hand in hand. I plan on being present in the buildings, at functions, sports, and events. I want to see what is going on and ask how things are going. There has been an erosion of trust that is hampering all aspects of our district. I think people feel disconnected from the decisions being made. I can't tell you how many people are saying they are grateful I am asking them what they think. I wish more people did that before making a decision.

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

Rock Ridge has amazing facilities. Previous boards have set an admirable vision for the future. The rest is up to us.

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Contributed

Incumbent

KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.

Incumbent

Age on Election Day: 64

Community: Rockridge district

Employment: Retired

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

I raised 3 children in the at Virginia district before consolidation. Where they received a great education. I want the same quality education now for children, that my children received. I am a retired nurse. I have experience as a supervisor. I care deeply about the quality of our education.

Why are you running?

I want a rich learning environment for students.

Why should voters elect you?

I am committed fighting for a solvent district. Increase grade scores in our shcool. Strive for all students to thrive in a safe environment.

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

School board director

Name a public leader you admire and explain why.

George Washington

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

Staying within budget, increased grade scores, safe environment.

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

Budget. Vote to stay within Budget.

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

The committee of behavior put together of teachers committed to make our school a comfortable and safe learning environment.
These teachers are doing a great job.