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.
Board District 1
Jarrett Bundy
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Kim Jirik
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: (Field left blank)
City/Township of residence: Orr
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
I am semi-retired after 32+ years with St. Louis County Schools.
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I am licensed in 7-12 Language Arts and Social Studies. I taught at the Orr High School until the Orr and Cook schools consolidated as North Woods. For the past twelve years, I have worked with our District Q Comp program as I have continued to teach a college level psychology course at North Woods. I have worked with teachers and administration during this time and have had the opportunity to report to our School Board several times each year. Having a good understanding of current trends in education as well as understanding that everything a district does is to try and create the best opportunities and education for the students that they serve.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
The Board is responsible to guide the district towards their vision as it relates to preparing students for the future. They are also responsible to ensure that the district resources and policies work with the vision. The board has to work with the superintendent, who is actually responsible to manage the district according to board policies. Beyond these basics, the board must evaluate the superintendent and hire one if the need arises. They need to understand the communities that they serve, but they are not responsible for the daily operations of the school. They are not there to micro-manage, but to vote on policies to run the district.
Why are you running for office?
The district’s mission is “to provide a high-quality education that prepares students to thrive in a changing world.” I am running for the Board position because I feel that it is important to have members who understand how schools operate along with understanding and filtering through the current trends in education to ensure that we are passing policies that will prepare students to thrive in a world very different from the past. With my experience in education and schools, I feel that I could serve effectively.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
My priorities center on finances, ensuring that all sites have the same programs and supports, and understanding when policies are not working for our district, staff and our students. First, as costs of running and staffing schools rise, it is imperative that the board work with the superintendent and Director of Finances to understand the financial state and to take appropriate measures to operate within our budget, while still ensuring a quality education for all students. Secondly, all school communities advocate for resources and supports for their students. They are more likely to keep their children in our district if they feel that their children have the same opportunities and supports as all other district schools. Finally, it is also important that our district is willing to make changes when policies fail to bring the desired results and outcomes.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Right now, I believe the two biggest issues are finances and governmental mandates which are really wearing on the staff within the schools. I believe in financial responsibility, so keeping an eye on real costs is important. I also understand that buildings require upkeep, busses need to be replaced and staff need to be paid. I can't say that I have a plan to overcome the finances, but I also don't have enough information at this point to make any kind of plan. As far as governmental mandates, it is wise to understand the purpose, the requirements and the choices involved in how to carry them out to meet the law.
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.
Schools are funded, in part, by local property taxes. Northern Minnesota has an aging population who often say that they can't afford or do not feel responsible to support the schools in the area. We need to try other sources of funding to meet the demands of the increasing costs of education before asking the residents to increase the amounts that they already pay. Making sure that we do not increase the burden on taxpayers is important. It is possible to influence legisation that could help with funding, but again, that usually comes in the form of additional taxes or from State resources.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
As a board member, we should be out in the community not necessarily to "fix" peoples' concerns, but to understand these concerns. Listening is key. I believe that it is also important to take the time to understand what is being voted on and not simply vote without understanding what you are voting on. As a board, you will never make all of the people happy, but seeing that there was thought and reasons for passing/not passing policy, it may help promote trust.
Board District 4
Leigh Backe
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Chris Koivisto
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Board District 6
Jessica Reinhardt
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: (Field left blank)
City/Township of residence: Cotton Township
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Dawn Foods Products Inc, Director of Talent Acquisition NA
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I bring 20 years of experience in corporate Human Resources, where I’ve successfully led talent attraction and retention initiatives across private equity, public, and family-owned businesses. My expertise includes building strategic programs that have strengthened employee engagement and development, and I’ve consistently driven positive change by implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. I’ve also managed large teams and complex projects, requiring collaboration across departments, which has prepared me to navigate the multifaceted challenges of our school district. My experience equips me with a strategic mindset, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of how to create an environment that fosters growth and success for both staff and students.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
School board members adopt shared visions and goals for the district. They create and monitor systems and processes. They ensure progress and accountability, and they advocate for students.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for the ISD 2142 District 6 School Board because I believe our children deserve the best possible educational experience, and I want to be a strong advocate for all families in our district. As a parent with three children attending South Ridge School at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, I have a personal stake in ensuring our schools provide a safe, supportive, and high-quality learning environment. My 20 years of experience in corporate Human Resources have given me a deep understanding of talent attraction, retention, and development, which are critical factors in building a strong educational system. I want to leverage this experience to address the staffing challenges our schools face, ensuring we attract and retain the most qualified teachers and staff who will have a positive impact on our students.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
My Priorities if Elected:
Strengthening Scholastics: I’m committed to ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education. I will advocate for a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for future success and work closely with our schools to provide resources to enhance academic programs.
Equitable and Transparent Funding: I believe every student deserves equal access to educational resources. I will push for transparent funding to ensure all schools have the financial support needed, advocating for better funding for under-resourced programs.
Attracting and Retaining School Staff: I aim to make our district attractive for talented educators and support staff. By investing in professional development, offering competitive compensation, and fostering a positive environment, we can retain high-quality teachers and support staff essential for exceptional education.
Enhancing School and Transportation Safety: The safety of our students is a top priority. I will advocate for initiatives that strengthen safety protocols in our schools and buses, including regular safety drills and collaboration with law enforcement.
Supporting Special Education Programs: Every child deserves access to the support they need. I will ensure special education programs have the resources and staffing necessary to provide individualized support. My experience with IEP meetings gives me insight into improving these programs.
Expanding Extracurricular Programs: Engaging students beyond the classroom is vital. I will work to expand extracurricular programs, ensuring opportunities for students to explore their interests and develop skills.
Improving Athletics: Athletics are crucial for promoting teamwork and physical fitness. I’m dedicated to improving athletic programs, ensuring student-athletes have access to quality coaching, equipment, and facilities.
These goals reflect my commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive environment for every student. I’m dedicated to achieving these priorities and ensuring every child reaches their potential.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
The biggest challenges in our district are attracting and retaining qualified staff, ensuring safety, and supporting special education programs. With my expertise in talent attraction and retention, I will implement strategies to make our schools an employer of choice for educators. To enhance safety, I will advocate for stronger protocols to protect our students. My experience with numerous IEP meetings allows me to effectively support families and ensure special education programs have the resources they need to succeed. I am committed to tackling these challenges head-on to benefit all students.
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.
I understand that high taxation is a significant concern for many Northern Minnesotans, and I share the belief that we must be responsible stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to us. My goal is to ensure that every dollar is spent efficiently and effectively to support our schools and communities.
First, I believe in a transparent budgeting process where taxpayers can clearly see how funds are allocated and used. I will advocate for regular financial reviews and audits to ensure that spending aligns with our district’s goals and priorities, and I will work to identify areas where we can reduce waste and unnecessary expenses.
Additionally, I will prioritize investments in programs and initiatives that directly benefit students, staff, and the quality of education. This includes focusing on core areas such as scholastics, school safety, special education, and extracurricular activities. By targeting funding to these essential areas, we can maximize the impact of every tax dollar.
Finally, I am committed to exploring alternative funding opportunities, such as grants and partnerships, to lessen the burden on taxpayers while still providing high-quality educational experiences for our children. My aim is to strike a balance between maintaining excellent educational standards and being fiscally responsible to the residents of our community.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
To improve transparency and trust, I will prioritize open communication. I'll actively seek input from parents, teachers, and students. Additionally, I’ll advocate for clear policies and processes, ensuring accountability in all board actions. By being accessible, responsive, and maintaining an open dialogue, I aim to foster a culture of transparency and build trust between the school board and the community.
Kristin Zorn
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 42
City/Township of residence: Canyon/Northland Township
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Rayus Radiology-casual insurance specialist; Teachers On Call-pre-k sub for South Ridge
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have 2 kids at South Ridge School and have been active in the school for 12 years- starting with ECFE. My family and I are committed to the school district and will stay and support this district throughout my kids' school careers. I have also supported students, activities and teachers with my time and talents these past 7 years when subbing at South Ridge and am committed to continuing that support in the future. I am a member of the Cotton Community Church, vice president of the board which helps me to prepare for budgeting and meetings and I am the Sunday School Superintendent. I am also the secretary and treasurer for our South Ridge Trap Team. I am also familiar with technology and know how to use it. Not only can I offer a fresh perspective on issues, I can also help to implement the improvements as they come along.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
A school boards responsibility should go to students’ success first and foremost. Education for all students should be at the top of the list. The school board member is also the voice of the community in how their taxes are being used to achieve what is best for their students, the staff and facilities and to make sure the school district stays financially stable.
It is also the responsibility of the elected board member to be a mediator between our admin staff and the community. Our job is to uphold what is the best for the student and that means staying open minded with our parents and admin.
Board members are also responsible for creating, maintaining and upholding district policies. This differs from admin as they are responsible for the implementation of policy.
Another important role of a school board member is evaluation and leadership. A board member must be able to look past all the cheering, smiles, handshakes and make an honest determination for the schools' resources and performance. Hard evaluation requires leadership, determination and sometimes hard conversations. A school board member must understand they communicate through their decisions. It is this communication that will set the climate and culture of the school.
Why are you running for office?
It is healthy for parents to serve on the school board and offer their perspective. A parent has a unique connection to a school; attending teacher conferences, banquets, music programs and other school activities makes a parent an accessible school board member. This accessibility allows a board member/parent to have their fingers on the pulse and health of a school in a very natural way. I want to be the person who represents South Ridge and have the South Ridge community know that I have their best intentions at heart and know that I will make an informed decision with all the information I am given. I want to be able to bridge the gap of communication between the school board, school district and the South Ridge Community.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
I want to look at how we can protect our children even more while we are entrusting their safety with the school. I want to look at getting our School Resource officers back into the school system to build those relationships with students while being an extra level of security for the students and also for the parents. I want to review hiring policies and ways to make sure we are entrusting our children with the right people.
I want students to have exposure to a variety of career options to help give them ideas about what they can do after high school. There are a lot of opportunities out there that many high school students are not aware of or perhaps do not know how to get started in. I think we also need to look at certifications and work study programs for students who are looking to join the workforce straight out of high school.
More life skills type classes should be offered to make students more ready for independence. An example of this would be finance class that work on budgeting and how to build better credit or a class that teaches students how to be interview ready for any job.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
Our students will have to compete with students from bigger districts with larger resources than our own. They will not be exposed to the platter of opportunities of larger communities. A student when equipped with an education and an understanding of the opportunities for him/her has a much greater chance to fulfill their talents and interests. The solution is simple. Teachers, teachers, teachers. They are the absolute backbone of any school district. I’d like to hear from our staff and see what they need in terms of support.
Bus/van routes are also a challenge for rural schools-they are expensive to run, and we have a vast area to cover to pick up children. I would like to look at those routes from a view as someone who lives in the area to see where things can be changed to make routes more condensed. Also incentives for getting more bus and van drivers hired.
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.
Everyone in the community has to live within their means and make the best we can with what we have, me included. I have had many years managing a budget for my family and my firm belief is not to spend more than necessary and budget to efficiently spend money. I will go through the budget with a set of fresh eyes and fight to eliminate unnecessary spending.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
I would like to see our board notes be a little more in depth and readily available to the community without having to search for them on our site.
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.
