KAXE contacted every candidate twice using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office to invite them to participate in our Election Guide.
Candidate responses have not been edited and are published as submitted.
As necessary, our news team added contextual information clearly marked with an "editor's note" and in italics, though responses have not been uniformly fact-checked. With our small team of three, we are unable to proactively fact check every statement made by candidates. But we will make every effort to make note of inaccuracies if they come to our attention.
Please contact our news team at news@kaxe.org with questions or comments or to report any errors.
KAXE's Election Guide only includes candidates in contested races. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else is on the ballot.
Doug Cogswell
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Ryan Johns
Incumbent: Yes
Age on Election Day: 36
City/Township of residence: Bovey
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Registered Nurse
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am a father of 4 in the Greenway District. Prior to becoming a nurse I have worked in the financial and administrative areas of Healthcare and Healthcare finance.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The primary responsibility of a school board member is to be available to and able to to put the needs of the children and their parents within the dostrict first. This involves being active and engaging with community members. It is also my duty to help provide the best support and resources for our educators that help to best serve the kids in the district.
Why are you running for office?
I am running again because I want to increase the transparency of how the schools are operating and how that in turn meets the needs of the community and the children of the district. As a parent of 4 in the district I also have a vested interest in the success of all the students and the district as a whole.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
My biggest goal is the increased transparency of what is happening in the schools and making sure that gets back to the parents so that they are well informed of the education and experiences that their children/students are receiving.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
One of our biggest challenges is declining enrollment. To overcome this I would first look to understand why numbers are declining and then work to find solutions that would aim to reduce the declining numbers.
High taxation is a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. Please share any specific opinions you hold related to taxation, and how you plan to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively.
Without the taxpayers we would not be able to provide what we do in our district. That being said I firmly believe that we need to work within our means and find balance by being fiscally responsible and without seeking referendums. Finances need to be watched and it is important to keep our programming in place so as to not lose students and to ensure the future of Greenway.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
It is important that the community is involved. Sharing your input with me, attending meetings, are helpful steps. On my side being open and honest about what is happening and what changes may or may not be necessary are important pieces for me to communicate back to my constituents. Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated.
LaNea Johnson
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 49
City/Township of residence: Bovey
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Occupational Therapist
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I served 2 terms, 8 years for the Greenway school board from 2014-2022. I have served on several committees, attended many trainings, and been involved with several school related groups. Therefore, I have good working knowledge of the processes, connections that help our schools, and familiar with various legislators. My husband and I graduated from Greenway and have a strong commitment to its continued strength a. Two of our children graduated from Greenway and have another currently attending. I have a strong commitment to its continued strength and perseverance as I hope to have my grandchildren one day be able to attend.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Make key decisions that address the district’s mission, strategy, and goals. Aim to address the public's interest through the district’s work and act as the legal voice for the district. Decisions need to reflect what is in the best interest of all students and all citizens. This demands a constant effort and strong commitment to serving other people.
Why are you running for office?
I feel I am able to be a strong voice and effective active participant in the school board processes with focus on our students and those who teach and support them on a daily basis. I love Greenway and because of our family history of attendance/graduation, past and current, I am committed to its continued success to prepare further students for their next phase in life.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
I’d like to implement a foundation just for our Greenway schools. I want consistent communications set up at each board meeting with any and all meetings that take place involving school related issues to hold transparency at a high regard. I’d like to support our schools to veer from the current common core education practices as I feel this has slowly yet consistently reduced higher learning for some and allowing even more to slip through the cracks to not meet the standards. Ever since the pressure to teach for the testing and taking away practices such as learning in writing have occurred, learning and successes have reduced.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Higher student needs but funding that comes nowhere close to matching or meeting those needs from state and federal continue. I have offered in the past and plan to again to offer speaking in front of legislation. Holding our legislators accountable to our rural schools is important. This will force our rural schools to seek assist through the taxpayers who are already being tapped out by too many other areas.
High taxation is a concern for many Northern Minnesotans. Please share any specific opinions you hold related to taxation, and how you plan to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively.
Knowledge is powerful. Communication is key from our administration, amongst board members, and leadership within the schools who support our teachers, staff and students. This allows us as board members to make the best decisions for all involved so that we may communicate needs to our communities and citizens who are our supports. Our schools need the tax base to effectively operate and therefore it is important for us to keep them as knowledgeable and prepared as possible. Utilization of funding has been a priority in the past when serving.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
By requesting communications and updates monthly by all the different board members, committees and additional meetings that take place outside of regular scheduled board meetings, I believe this will help to inform those in attendance or who receive the minutes. I will continue to support discussions amongst our board and the community who have concerns, comments, and questions as able.
Carissa L McIlwain
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Nick Porter
Incumbent: No
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.