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.
Cindy Drost
Incumbent: Yes
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Jess Edgerton
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Damian McMillin
Incumbent: No
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Robyn Rolli
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 43
City/Township of residence: Warroad
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Stay at home mom
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
Parent of 3 school aged children, Foster parent for 10 years.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Develop policies & hold accountable the school district with the everchanging environment we live in.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for school board to help develop policies that help our children continue to grow in a world that changes by the minute. It is very important to continue to put fresh eyes and ideas into our community so that our school district can run at its peak and our children can receive the best educational experience they can get.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
Teacher retention. I think it is extremely important to keep teachers in positions where they can best serve their students.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
I think the challenges Warroad faces are the same as most communities and how to continue to adapt to the changing environment around them. We live in a world of immediate gratification; it is important to take the time to complete tasks correctly and not always quickly.
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.
Continue to control the school budget in an effective manner.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
Encourage residents to attend school board meetings to be an informed citizen.
Marques A. Stricker
Incumbent: No
Age on Election Day: 41
City/Township of residence: Laona Township
Where are you currently employed, and what is your role?
Farmers Union Oil Company of Warroad - CEO
Please share any prior experience that you believe qualifies you for office.
I have been fortunate to have a career in leadership, achieving success in senior and executive roles while managing budgets of $200 million. I have been responsible for the livelihoods of many employees and have had the privilege of working alongside remarkable individuals who make a positive impact. My success stems from rolling up my sleeves, putting in the effort, collaborating as a team, maintaining high expectations, being transparent, and holding myself and others accountable.
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
School Board members have a wide range of responsibilites to include hiring and evaluating the district superintendent, establishing and upholding the policies of the district, overseeing and approving annual budgets, sharing vision, setting goals, executing goals, ensuring progress and accountability, and supporting the educational experience of our students.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for this position because I believe in our school system and I have a personal interest in a quality and an innovative education experience for all children within our district. I bring substantial leadership experience and want to share my talents, time, and experiences to add value to our teachers and support staff who have the opportunity to provide a quality well-rounded learning experience for our children and to the stakeholders of our district.
What are your priorities, if elected? Please describe specific goals.
My priorities include attracting and retaining high-quality educators and staff, elevating and maintaining district standards, fostering honest and transparent communication within the district, and providing innovative learning opportunities to better prepare students for a diverse world.
What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing your district, and how do you plan to overcome them?
I believe the biggest challenge facing our district is attracting and retaining quality and innovative educators and qualified support staff. I do not feel our current approach is sustainable especially when we consider the significant turnover in recent years and upcoming teacher retirements. I believe it is imparitive to think outside of the box and not settle for anything short of innovative ideas and concepts to ensure we continue to provide a high level of education for years to come.
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 plan to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively by being present and engaged when overseeing and approving annual district budgets. If the spend does not translate to a better educational experience, it should not be considered in the annual budget.
How do you plan to improve transparency and trust in your school board?
Continue with the ongoing efforts of holding well communicated meetings and encouraging community participation and feedback.
Stephen A. Symes
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.
