Jenny Arneson, Minneapolis School Board
First Elected: 2010
Re-election Date: 11/4/2014
Website: http://www.jennyarneson.com/
Erin Azer, Roseville
Erin is a first time candidate running for school board in Roseville ISD 623. Erin is a licensed teacher, serves on the Roseville Park and Recreation Commission, the Advisory Council of Roseville Area Early Childhood Family Education and is the mother of two children. Working as a teacher for 7 years has given her firsthand experience with the complexities of a large metro area school district. She is committed to ensuring all children have access to a quality education and will focus on building stronger relationships between teachers, the school board, the community and students.
Election Date: 11/08/2011
Website: http://www.erinazer.com/
Ann Bremer Westonka School Board
Ann is running for re-election to the Westonka School Board. Currently serving as the Chair of the Board, Ann has been a strong leader in the district for the past five years making it her priority to fight for children who might otherwise be lost in the system. Ann is devoted to making school a safe place for all students by working to reduce instances of bullying. Facing a tough race this year, Ann is the only woman in a field of eight candidates. Keenly aware of the lack of gender parity in government, Ann has worked hard to establish equal representation of men and women in the district's administrative and support staff. Ann is looking forward to continuing her important work in the Westonka school district.
First Elected: 2008
Re-election Date: 11/6/2012
Website: N/A
Carla Bates Minneapolis School Board
Carla Bates is an Information Technology Professional in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Carla participates daily in the technological transformation taking place in education and looks forward to bringing this passion and expertise to the Minneapolis School Board. Carla received her PhD in American Studies from the University of Minnesota in 1998; Carla’s doctoral work explored the conceptions of citizenship guiding many 20th century social reformers and policy experts.
Carla and her partner Susan have three children in the Minneapolis Public Schools ranging from grade school to high school. Carla comes to the board with an extensive background as a parent and community activist.
First Elected: 2008
Re-election Date: 11/6/2012
Website: N/A
Carol Bomben Eden Prairie School Board
While serving on the Eden Prairie School Board, Bomben has maintained a strong drive for parent involvement in education. Since being elected in 1995, she has expressed the importance of economic responsibility, raising educational standards, and building a healthy community. Bomben also serves on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota School Boards Association and Board of the Association of Metropolitan School Districts.
First Elected: 1995
Re-election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: N/A
Anne Carroll Saint Paul School Board
Since her election to the Board of Education in 2000, Carroll has strived to improve the education system throughout Saint Paul. She is a board member of Urban Youth Leadership Connection and a League of Women Voters statewide diversity committee member. One of her primary goals has been to close the achievement gap and offer equal access to all students. She also aims to raise education standards at all levels, promote fair treatment of teachers and school employees, and build stronger community integration and involvement.
First Elected: 2000
Re-election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: http://www.annecarroll.org/
Jill Davis Minneapolis School Board
Davis is the Chair of the Minneapolis School Board. A licensed psychologist, Davis has worked extensively in the fields of early childhood development, mental health, and social services. Her main goals as a Minneapolis School Board member are to reduce the achievement gap, invest in early childhood education, and ensure that all children have access to equal academic opportunities in their communities. Davis also emphasizes the importance of embracing students and their family's cultural diversity.
First Elected: 2008
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/6/2012
Website: http://www.jilldavis.org/
Mary Doran Saint Paul School Board (At Large)
Mary Doran is a first time candidate for Saint Paul School Board, District 625. She has served as the Associate Chair for the Stonewall DFL caucus from 2008-2011, a member of the 2010 St. Paul School Board Budget Assessment Team, and the Chair of the 2009-2010 St. Paul School Board’s Citizen’s Budget and Finance Advisory Committee. She has also volunteered at Crossroads Elementary Children’s House and Elementary 1 from 2008 to present and on a number of DFL campaigns. As a member of the St. Paul community for over 10 years she understands the needs of children and the concerns of parents. As a candidate, she wants to work on improving the classroom environment for students. She is endorsed by the Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, Stonewall DFL, and various elected officials and leaders in the Saint Paul Community.
Term Length: 4 Years
Election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: http://www.marydoranschoolboard.com/
Ellen Dustman Hopkins School Board
Dustman is currently the Vice Chair of the Hopkins School Board. She works on increasing technology initiatives in high school programs, and serves on the Strategic Planning Committee as well as the Board Audit Committee. Before elected to the School Board in 2007, Dustman started as a member of the Legislative Action Coalition.
First Elected: 2007
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: N/A
Rebecca Gagnon, Minneapolis School Board, City Wide
Elected in 2010, Gagnon is currently serving her first term on the Minneapolis School Board. Endorsed by the Star Tribune, Rebecca Gagnon has held a wide-range of parent leadership within public schools across the country including PTA President in Austin, Texas. She served as the Area C District Parent Advisory Council Representative for Minneapolis Public Schools. She has been elected to represent the Lake Harriet School on the Minneapolis School Board Parent Advisory Council and, if elected to the Minneapolis School Board, Rebecca is committed to working for equal education for all students.
First Elected: 2010
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/4/2014
Website: http://sites.google.com/site/rebeccagagnon2010/
Nancy Gores St Louis Park School Board
Nancy is running for re-election to the St. Louis Park School Board having fi rst been elected in 2004. During her time on the board, she has served as Board Chair, Board Clerk and as Board Treasurer. Nancy works as an attorney and arbitrator and taught as an adjunct instructor at the University of Minnesota - Duluth (UMD). A 25-year resident of St. Louis Park, Nancy has served on the SLP Parent Athletic Advisory Council and as a Chidren First Asset Champion.
Website: www.RunNancyRun.org
Patricia Green Robbinsdale School Board
Patsy has completed two terms on the Robbinsdale School Board and began her third term in office January 2010. She has served as the chair of the board for two years. Previously she has also served on the New Hope Citizen’s Planning Committee. Her goals are to promote equality for all students and to increase responsibility and accountability within the board.
First Elected: 2001
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patsy-Green-4-School-Board/148844890498
Nelly Korman, Candidate for Bloomington School Board
Nelly Korman is a first-time candidate for the Bloomington School Board. As a parent with three children in the Bloomington schools, as well as an educator, interpreter, and substitute within the school system, Korman is very aware of the needs of the children in the district, as well as the urgency of addressing the achievement gap in the community. Korman is dedicated to providing equal opportunities for female students in the education system.
Term Length: 4 Years
Election Date: 11/8/2011
Lydia Lee Minneapolis School Board
Lydia Lee has extensive experience in the field of education. She recently begand her third term as a member of the Minneapolis Board of Education and served as the Chair during her second term. Her primary goals are to provide each student with a quality education and confidence in caring adults that believe in their success. Parent and community involvement are among her top priorities.
First Elected: 2004
Re-election Date: 11/6/2012
Website: N/A
Ann Long-Voelkner Bemidji School Board
Long-Voelkner is no stranger to the education system. She was elected to the Bemidji School Board in 2001, and has served as Chair, Vice Chair and Clerk. During her time on the board she has supported music and the arts. She is also an avid proponent for environmental involvement and education.
First Elected: 2001
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: N/A
Jean O'Connell St. Paul School Board
O'Connell was elected to the St Paul School Board in 2010 after working as a consultant for the school district for three years. O'Connell has also worked as a tutor, Junior Achievement teacher, and has over 20 years of management experience at 3M, where she worked as the chair of the Women's Advisory Committee. Her key goal is to speed up decision making around necessary changes so that students do not have to wait for a quality education and better schools.
First Elected: 2009
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: http://oconnellforstpaulkids.com/
Pam Rykken St. Louis Park School Board
Pam is running for re-election to the St. Louis Park School Board. She has been a resident of St. Louis Park since 1966 and both of her children attend St. Louis Park Public Schools. Before her election to the school board in 2007, Pam served on many local boards including Citizens Advocating Resources for Education. As a school board member, Pam prioritized the public's accessibility to the school board and implemented a Citizens Financial Group. She will continue to advocate for a streamlined system that focuses on improving the quality of education for students and ties between teachers and parents.
First Elected: 2007
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: http://www.pamrykken.org/index.php
Betsy Scheurer Hopkins School Board
Betsy won her 2009 re-election campaign to the Hopkins School Board. She hopes to continue working towards getting more community involvement in the school. Betsy offers a unique community experience to the board, being herself a Hopkins graduate. Betsy has been politically active for several years, volunteering for campaigns such as Wellstone/Mondale in 2002 and Amy Klobuchar's 2006 campaign.
First Elected: 2005
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: http://www.votebetsy.org/
Louise Seeba for Saint Paul School Board (At Large)
Louise Seeba is an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Saint Paul. As a candidate she wants to work to make sure that every child in St. Paul has access to an educational program that meets its needs. She believes that we can strengthen our schools by investing in early learning programs, community involvement in the schools, and achievement for all kids. She has been endorsed by the Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, Mayor Chris Coleman, and many other elected officials and leaders in Saint Paul.
First Elected: N/A
Term Length: 4 Years
Election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: http://www.seebaforschoolboard.org/
Lonni Skrentner- Edina School Board
Lonni Skrentner was first elected to the Edina School Board in 2009, and is up for re-election in 2013. She has been active in local DFL politics since 2004, but has been involved since she began teaching government and civics in 1968. She has 39 years of secondary social studies teaching, mentoring and curriculum supervision behind her. She belongs to women’s organizations such as NARAL and NOW and has donated and campaigned on behalf of women candidates.
First Elected: 2009
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101749548362&v=wall&viewas=0
Elona Street-Stewart St. Paul School Board
In addition to being the Vice Chair, Elona Street-Stewart is also the first American Indian elected to the Saint Paul School Board. She is committed to providing a respectful, safe, nurturing and equitable learning environment where a diverse student body can meet the highest district and state standards. She is also devoted to helping students understand the relationship between their lives and the lives of others, and the relevance of their educational experience to their roles in society.
First Elected: 2009
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Kaying Thao Rosebille School Board
Kaying is a first time candidate for Roseville School Board. She is a mother of three children who attend Roseville public schools, and is pursuing her graduate degree at Metropolitan State University in Public and Nonprofit Administration. Kaying was appointed to the Human Rights Commission for the City of Roseville in March of 2011. For the past four years, Kaying has performed contract work with various nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities, with a focus on areas such as community development, economic development, housing programs, civic engagement, and fund development. Kaying has an earnest desire to encourage a more transparent decision making process on the school board and feels strongly the board should reflect the diversity of the district.
Term Length: 4 Years
Election Date: 11/8/2011
Sherry Tyrrell Robbinsdale School Board Treasurer
Since her election in 2008, Sherry has proven her dedication to education. She strives to empower students to be self-directed learners living lives as committed and respectful global citizens. She advocates restoring lower class sizes, bringing back cancelled academic programs and reintroducing slashed after-school programs.
First Elected: 2008
Martha Van de Ven Orono School Board
Van de Ven won her 2009 re-election campaign for the Orono School Board where she has been a member since 1991. She serves as the only women on the board. Martha has a passion for working hard to make sure that all kids reach their potential. She hopes to continue serving the Orono school district.
First Elected: 1991
Re-election Date: 11/5/2013
Website: N/A
Sandra Westerman, Mounds View
Sandra was appointed to serve on the Mounds View School Board in June of 2011 beating out 13 competitors. She is running for re-election in November of 2011 for a four year term. Prior to serving on the school board, Sandra was a trustee for the Mounds View Schools Education Foundation - the non-profit partner for the school district. She also serves on the PTA at her children's elementary school, volunteers on local campaigns and is a former Executive Committee member of the Minnesota Women's Political Caucus. Sandra is a committeed community member who understands the importance of education and will continue to work hard to represent parents and students in the district.
Term Length: 4 Years
Election Date: 11/8/2011
Website: www.sandrawesterman.com
Susan Wootten Hopkins School Board
Susan is a first time candidate running for a seat on the Hopkins School Board. Wootten is the current co-chair of the Hopkins Educational Services Committee and has a 15 year volunteer background in the school district. Susan has shown a great commitment to working for women and girls in her volunteerism at the Robbinsdale Teen Annex, in her church, and the girl scouts.
First Elected: N/A
Election Date: 11/8/2011
