Dugsiyada Dadweynaha ee Deegaanka Mankato

1. Why should voters elect you to serve the position you seek?
I’m running for the Mankato Area School Board to give back to a community that has profoundly impacted my family. As a business owner, mother, and host of exchange students, I’ve gained insights into various educational systems, which I hope to bring to our local schools. My volunteer work with mentorship programs and Junior Achievement, combined with my upbringing with a mother who taught adjudicated youth, has deepened my commitment to supporting all students. I believe my diverse experiences and dedication to education make me a strong candidate for the School Board. Together, we can build a more effective educational environment.

2. What are the key issues facing the district you seek to represent, and how would you address them if elected?
The key issues facing our district include declining student enrollment, uneven academic recovery among schools, a lack of transparency, and financial challenges. Over the past
decade, our district’s test scores in Math, Reading, and Science have dropped, affecting students’ readiness for the future and our local workforce development. For instance, district-wide Math proficiency has decreased from 71.3% in 2014 to 52.1% in 2024, Reading proficiency has fallen from 64.8% to 55.1%, and Science proficiency has declined from 44.1% to 40.5% over the same period. Additionally, our district has lost over 775 K-12 students since 2019, with over a hundred students lost between September 2023 (8,037 students) and September 2024 (7,897 students, as reported by the Free Press), resulting in a reduction in revenue.

We are also facing an uneven recovery in academic performance between schools. While some schools have shown improvements, others continue to struggle. For example, Mankato West has seen Math proficiency fluctuate from 49.6% in 2021 to 48.6% in 2024, whereas Mankato East has experienced a more pronounced decline, with Math proficiency dropping from 33.1% in 2021 to just 30.2% in 2024. A similar trend is evident in Reading and Science scores: Mankato West’s Reading proficiency has improved from 66.3% in 2021 to 70.7% in 2024, while Mankato East’s scores have decreased from 61.6% to 57.9% during the same period.

To address these challenges, we must focus on equipping our students for a future increasingly centered around STEM. This will require a dedicated effort to review our current policies, reallocate resources strategically, and ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of the school they attend.

3. In your view, what is the role of the body you seek in supporting business vitality and economic development?
The school board plays a crucial role in supporting business vitality and economic development by ensuring that our students graduate with the necessary skills, discipline, and resilience to succeed in today’s job market. As a business owner, I am concerned that some of our students are not graduating with the skills needed to become productive and happy adults. This directly affects our ability to attract and retain businesses that depend on a reliable, skilled workforce. 

It is also important to recognize that our district has some strong programs that offer tremendous value to our students and the community. Our district provides valuable internship opportunities and skills classes, bridging the gap between education and employment. We should continue to invest in and expand these opportunities to align with our local economy’s needs.

4. What experience do you have dealing with complex budgets? How will you approach reviewing a budget, and what improvements would you recommend to improve fiscal responsibility?
I have experience managing budgets as a business owner. When reviewing a complex budget, I would start by identifying key areas that directly impact student learning, safety, and teacher retention. Given the district’s financial challenges due to declining enrollment, I would scrutinize spending to ensure it is focused on areas that yield measurable benefits for students.

I would recommend eliminating unnecessary expenses, redundant meeting and ensuring administrative salary increases are proportionate to those of teachers and directly related to their performance. Additionally, I would push for a more transparent budgeting process that involves community input, ensuring taxpayers understand how their money is being used and feel confident that it is spent wisely. This transparency is crucial, as many of the district’s issues stem from a lack of trust and communication.

5. How will you work with other elected officials to build consensus?
Building consensus requires open communication, transparency, and a genuine commitment to finding common ground. Right now, our district suffers from a lack of trust and information silos that prevent productive dialogue. I believe that most of our community wants the same thing: a district that supports all our students and staff.

If we continue to operate in these silos, I will not be able to govern effectively as a school board member. I aim to lead discussions that encourage teachers to advocate for their students and foster an environment where all voices are heard. I also plan to address community concerns by engaging with legislators who create state laws.

The first step toward effective governance is improving how we share information and communicate. Moving forward requires greater transparency, open communication, and a commitment to honest conversations. Our community deserves leaders willing to confront challenges head-on and collaborate on solutions that benefit all students.

As the daughter of an Air Force officer and federal employee, my childhood was marked by frequent moves, allowing me to experience many different places. However, once I embarked on my own journey, I found my home in the welcoming community of Mankato, where I have happily resided for the past 26 years. I have raised my children here and proudly enrolled them in our outstanding public schools.

Now, my husband and I are navigating the new chapter of being empty nesters, but we are never truly alone, thanks to our two dogs, a cat, and a horse who keep us company.

I work full-time as a digital strategist for an advertising firm and have recently been appointed as a board member for the Greater Mankato Diversity Council.

It has been an honor serving on the Mankato Area Public School Board, and I hope to serve another term.

Candidate Questionnaire:

1. Why should voters elect you to serve the position you seek?
As a member of the school board, my primary commitment has been to foster a secure and supportive educational atmosphere where every student can thrive, feel engaged, and discover career paths that ignite their passions and encourage them to make positive contributions to their communities. My initial term began amidst the challenges of the pandemic, yet concluded with a robust budget, strengthened school security, and a comprehensive strategic plan focused on student-centric education.

During this term, I spearheaded a pilot internship program with a Taylor Company and helped champion the formation of an Equity Committee to address academic disparities, as well as a Sustainability Committee to promote responsible environmental stewardship. Over the last four years, I have refined my leadership abilities to effectively serve the evolving needs of our students and our community.

I am seeking reelection to continue these vital efforts and make a difference in the lives of our students.

2. What would you say are the key issues facing the city/district/county/state you seek to represent and how would you impact them from this elected position?
As a school board member, my foremost priorities include establishing ISD77 as a leader in student-centered, future-focused learning. I aim to engage students through experiential opportunities and diverse career pathways while also recognizing and rewarding our dedicated educators.

Additionally, I am committed to protecting and advancing our equity initiatives by identifying gaps and ensuring that all students have the tailored support they need to reach their full potential. I will govern efficiently and effectively, prioritizing the interests of public education and our community while remaining actively engaged and responsive to the needs of our constituents.

3. In your view, what is the role of the body/office you seek in supporting business vitality and economic development?
I firmly believe that the strength of a community is deeply rooted in the robustness of its public schools. As schools flourish, so too do our communities. High-quality educational institutions attract families, which in turn stimulates economic growth and fortifies our community. Our role is to ensure we have effective schools that nurture our community and equip educated citizens with the necessary tools to achieve their fullest potential.

4. The effective and efficient use of public tax dollars is a key component to serving in public office. What experience do you have dealing with complex budgets? When presented with a budget that will often be several hundred pages in length, what will be your process to determine if it is a good budget? What improvements would you recommend to improve the fiscal responsibility for the body/office you would represent if elected?
As an elected official, I prioritize financial stewardship. In my first term on the school board, we addressed complex budget scenarios with data-driven, responsible decisions, maintaining transparency and continuously adjusting to challenges, including a COVID-19 related shortfall. We achieved financial stability by aligning budgets with district objectives, engaging stakeholders, and regularly reviewing financial strategies. Our commitment to transparency ensures public access to financial information, enhancing community trust and engagement. These efforts underscore our dedication to using taxpayer funds effectively, benefiting our community through strategic fiscal management.

5. Compromise and consensus are a crucial part of bringing conflicting views/positions together to get decisions made in a democracy. How will you go about working with other elected officials of varied political backgrounds to build the consensus necessary to govern for the benefit of citizens?
I am confident that those who seek election to the school board are genuinely committed to the welfare of our students. With this belief as my foundation, I strive for consensus through maintaining open and honest communication, aligning on common goals, building trust among fellow board members, fostering inclusivity, seeking insights from experts, ensuring transparency, and demonstrating a willingness to compromise.

Our current board is composed of members with diverse viewpoints, yet we collaborate and govern effectively and efficiently. We hold mutual respect for one another and recognize that dysfunction at the board level does not serve the best interests of our students, their families, or our community.

Candidate Biography:
Erin is a lifelong member of the Mankato community and has witnessed the growth and change within the area over the years, many of which have affected ISD 77. After graduating from Mankato East High School, Erin attended Minnesota State University, Mankato where she earned a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Corrections with a minor in Political Science. Erin raises her three children in Mankato, all of whom attend or have attended schools in ISD 77. This upcoming school year she will have children in middle and high school, as well as a freshman in college. Erin knows first-hand the benefits and challenges that attending school within ISD 77 brings and is motivated to continue to improve the district through the by continuing the work of the new strategic plan. Erin has spent the last 3 1/2 years proudly serving as the district’s School Board Clerk. She was instrumental in the creation of the Equity Committee that started in July 2024. Outside of being a School Board member, Erin is a Health Equity Director for MN Department of Human Services, Direct Care and Treatment supporting Forensic Services. In her role as a Health Equity Director she is responsible for leading statewide efforts to advance health equity within Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) and systemically address social determinants of health. In her job as well as her role as a School Board member, Erin leads large systems through planning, change, and policy development.

1. Why should voters elect you to serve the position you seek?
I am a lifelong member of the Mankato community. I have a passion for serving this community and will continue to advocate for quality education meeting the needs of every student and supporting the staff to succeed. As a parent to three students, I also understand the perspective of a parent. As a Health Equity Director with the Department of Human Services, I have experience leading large systems through planning, change, and policy development. And as a current School Board member, I believe the role of the School Board is to guide the school district as a governing body, overseeing an entire system and not just one agenda. I also have trust in our staff. The district is full of intelligent, dedicated and hardworking staff that I aim to listen to, learn from, and consult in decision making. I also fully support the mission statement that ALL means ALL. Every student. Every day. I believe it is a key role of the school board to make that statement a reality for our students.

2. What would say are the key issues facing the city/district/county/state you seek to represent and how would you impact them from this elected position?
School safety is a top priority. Specifically, the protection of staff and students from violence and comprehensive planning for safety of students and staff in the event of an emergency.

Another priority is addressing challenging student behaviors. I am a firm believer that challenging student behaviors are an effect, not a cause. To address these behaviors, we need to get to the root cause and understand why we are seeing that effect. To effectively do this, we need to ensure adequate mental health services and access to other support services for students and teachers. Additionally, it is important to invest in protective factors and preventive measures, like access to extracurriculars and early interventions, to increase a sense of belonging and support.

Lastly, a key issue is addressing education gaps by continuing to use the data we collect to identify exactly what those gaps are and why they are occurring. I believe ISD 77 is in a unique position to be a leader in this area because we are big enough to provide significant resources, but small enough to identify targeted solutions for
individual schools and students.

The new strategic plan addresses some of these issues and its implementation has the potential to address some of the issues outlined above. Specifically, the focus on future focused schools, hands-on learning, and community involvement, can help engage students in different ways and provide options for every student to thrive.

3. In your view, what is the role of the body/office you seek in supporting business vitality and economic development?
In order to have a successful community, we have to have a successful public school system. A role that ISD77 can play in economic development is to prepare students to contribute to the local economy and be successful in the workforce after they graduate. We can do this by supporting career-based learning opportunities and seeking out partnerships between area businesses and the schools, as we have done with the new strategic plan. Connecting students to our local business community can keep students and family in the area or bring them back after they have finished post-secondary education, addressing the workforce shortage and contributing to the vitality of the community.

4. The effective and efficient use of public tax dollars is a key component to serving in public office. What experience do you have dealing with complex budgets? When presented with a budget that will often be several hundred pages in length, what will be your process to determine if it is a good budget? What improvements would you recommend to improve the fiscal responsibility for the body/office you would represent if elected?
The School Board partners with the office of the superintendent on the budget. I have four years of experience working with the complex school district budget and understand the fiscal responsibility the school board has. I believe the majority of the budget should be spent on students and staff–supporting the mission of the district. Another role of the School Board is to hold the superintendent accountable for the financial decisions made with taxpayer dollars.

Running an effective and thriving school district takes a lot of resources. As a School Board member, it is my role to be a steward of those financial resources and use them effectively and efficiently for the mission of the district.

5. Compromise and consensus are a crucial part of bringing conflicting views/positions together to get decisions made in a democracy. How will you go about working with other elected officials of varied political backgrounds to build the consensus necessary to govern for the benefit of citizens?
As a School Board Member, I have worked effectively with other school board members with different viewpoints by creating strong working relationships and sharing and listening to different viewpoints. Not only is compromise and collaboration advantageous, I believe it is required to be an effective board for students, families, and staff. Together as a School Board we successfully worked together creating the new strategic plan, mission and vision for the district bringing together a wide variety of views for what is best for the entire system.

The job of the school board is to govern the entire school system and oversee the superintendent. When we are talking about potential conflicts or differing opinions, it is important to understand what is the best decision for the entire system and what are the potential disproportionate impacts that any decision can cause. It is also important to compromise and ensure we’re listening to all of the viewpoints from staff and families to make the best informed decision.

Name: Christopher G. Kind
Home Phone: (507) 625 – 6845
Cell Phone: (507) 381 – 5734
Address: 212 Rosewood Drive
City/State/Zip: Mankato, MN 56001
Place of Employment: Bethany Lutheran College
Children in the District: 1
Background:
Grew-up in St. Peter, graduated from Bethany Lutheran College & Minnesota State-Mankato, lived and worked in Mankato for the past 35 years. Married for 22 years with a 16-year old daughter.

1. Why should voters elect you to serve in the position you seek?
I’m running for re-election to the school board because advocating for the quality of education I received is important and should be available for the next generation as well. As someone who attended local schools, employed in higher-education and father of a 16-year old attending Mankato East, I personally understand just how important ensuring a quality, student-centered education is to the future of our youth and citizens of District 77. We have a duty to offer the next generation the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for life-long success and accomplishment in their own lives, so they can in-turn become successful in the next stage of their education, work, and productive members of their communities. As a community we cannot afford to squander these opportunities to improve society by assisting our youth realize their God-given talents and potential. More than ever, for the sake of their student’s future success, parents need to be aware and involved in their child’s education and have a voice in how it works best for their student.

2. What would you say are the key issues facing the city/district/county/state you seek to represent and how would you impact them from this elected position?
From a school district perspective as a Board member there is a clear challenge ahead with how to grow and even maintain enrollment numbers amidst the start of an ‘enrollment cliff’ along with high quality private, charter, and home schooling competition. Enrollment drives funding from the MN State formula and losses or stagnation does not translate into less costs for school districts making it harder to serve students. The high rate of full-employment with many good jobs remaining unfilled with healthy, growing companies in this region bears this out. This is why the current School Board has made it a priority to emphasize school-to-work educational paths and opportunities for high school graduates to have knowledge, skills, and connections ready to move directly into quality full-time employment opportunities. Speaking as a community member, the public(and private) educational institutions are vital to all the metrics that we use to measure how healthy and successful a community is. How we offer and execute education at all levels and ages translates into whether or not a local economy and community can thrive.

3. In your view, what is the role of the body/office you seek election to in supporting business vitality and economic development?
The ‘big picture’ within the education system are the opportunities students with a well-rounded, quality education provide the local economy. All those responsible for public education have a vested interest in the overall economic health, growth and success of the region. The private sector is a willing and valuable partner in guiding and informing public education as to what knowledge and skills the market economy requires from the next generation of working professionals. It is imperative for property taxpayers to be involved and assured as much as possible that the return on investment in the betterment of their community is producing the results they expect.

4. The effective use of public dollars is a key component to serving in public office. What experience do you have dealing with complex budgets? When presented with a budget that will often be several hundred pages in length, what will be your process to determine if it is a good budget? What improvements would you recommend to improve the fiscal responsibility for the office you would represent if elected?
My experience working with budgets begins at home and extends to annual expenditures in my department budget at work. Often times, breaking-up large projects into smaller ones helps maintain the focus needed to accomplish large, complex tasks. Spending the public’s money on something as important as future generations takes a measured, disciplined, but personal approach – the school district is made-up of real people. Pairing the basic needs of students and supports within scope of the mission of public education with achievable goals is challenging – especially in-light of budget reductions. As a school board, being accountable for the execution and results of spending the taxpayer’s money is vital and we have been fortunate to have an extremely competent Financial Services Department who have had to make difficult decisions and successfully restored our fund balance, preserving our long-term financial health.

5. Compromise and consensus are a crucial part of bringing conflicting views/positions together to get decisions made in a democracy. How will you go about working with other elected officials of varied backgrounds to build the consensus necessary to govern for the benefit of citizens?
In some stressful and challenging situations in the last few years as a new Board member, my personal approach has been confirmed in that a positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and genuine respect for fellow board members will create the productive dialogue required to represent the best interests of our students, educators and local communities. Getting to know and showing a genuine curiosity of fellow Board members is helpful in understanding different perspectives and experiences that inform them.