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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.
Kayla Frame and Nate Erickson are running for reelection, while JoAnn Olson and Cheri Kangas are not seeking another term.
The top four candidates will begin their four-year terms in January.
Ballot Question
The school board of Independent School District No. 820 (Sebeka Public School) has proposed to increase its general education revenue by $842 per pupil. The proposed referendum revenue authorization would be applicable for ten years beginning with taxes payable in 2027 unless otherwise revoked or reduced as provided by law. Shall the increase in the revenue proposed by the school board of Independent School District No. 820 be approved? BY VOTING "YES" ON THIS BALLOT QUESTION, YOU ARE VOTING FOR A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.
The estimated tax increase for a $225,000 home would be about $25 per month.
The district says if the referendum fails, it will need to make additional cuts, potentially limiting school programming, stretching class sizes or cutting more staff.
Read more about the referendum on the district's website.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 46
Community: Sebeka
Employment: Renneberg Hardwoods - Sales
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
Sebeka High School Graduate (1998). Concordia College-Moorhead Graduate (2002).
Sebeka School Board member for 10 years.
Why are you running?
I am running again because I believe in Sebeka School. Sebeka School has had a great history of offering many programs/activities to all students which were taught/coached by many great Teachers and Coaches. Good Teachers make a huge impact on students and I am a firm believer that Sebeka continues to have great Teachers.
Why should voters elect you?
I have had 10 years of past School Board experience in Sebeka. I currently have 2 kids in the school and have had 2 graduate in the recent past. My Father was a Teacher/Coach at Sebeka for 30+ years as well. So I am well aware of what has made Sebeka School great and what will be needed to continue that legacy.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Sebeka School Board
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Former U.S President Ronald Reagan. He emphasized family values and could bring people together to get things done.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Keep/Add Good Teachers. Be fiscally responsible with Taxpayers money.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Declining Enrollment continues to be a big challenge. FInd ways to market our great school and keep students in Sebeka.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
Our track record of having/keeping Good Teachers.
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 38
Community: Sebeka
Employment: Essentia Health, Behavioral Health Ambulatory Operations Manager
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have been on the Sebeka School Board for many years. I have served as Vice Chair for the past 2 years. My work experience has been in leadership for a number of years, which I think has helped with serving as a board member.
Why are you running?
I'm running again to continue making positive changes for Sebeka School. We have, along with many other schools, faced financial challenges that I want to continue to help administration and stakeholders navigate and work through to support our staff and students. My husband, dad, in-laws, grandparents, and many other family members are alumni of Sebeka School and my two children attend Sebeka School.
Why should voters elect you?
I wholeheartedly believe Sebeka is a great school, and I have served on the board for many years because I believe in my ability to have a voice for our students, staff, and community. I have stood by Sebeka through many tough changes and decisions, and hope to continue to support our school in the years ahead.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
School Board
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
A public leader I admire is my fellow board member, JoAnn Olson. JoAnn has shown to be a servant leader on the board and truly cares about the community, staff, and students of Sebeka. She has dedicated a lot of years to the school district serving many years as clerk as well. She is a local small business owner and has kids who went through Sebeka school. I have learned a lot from JoAnn throughout the years and appreciate what she has done for both the school and community as a whole.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Budget, staff and student morale, and keeping decisions at the local level.
What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing your district, and how do you plan to address it if elected?
Decisions are sometimes made for schools at the state level, but don't fit well into smaller communities like Sebeka. I hope to keep making decisions on my values, faith, and what's best for our rural area kids. As a board member you are faced with a lot of different challenges. It is important to look at the big picture and what's best for all stakeholders involved.
What is one success in the district that you would offer support for as a board member?
I am looking forward to growing our online learning platform. Although we are small, we offer a lot at Sebeka and I'm hoping to get our name out there further and show other kids, both in and out of our district, what a great school Sebeka is.
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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