2023Voter Guide

Minnesota Parents Alliance identifies and endorses school board candidates across the state who are aligned with our mission of prioritizing academic achievement, equality and parental rights in their school district. The candidates listed below are ready to stand up for students and parents and deserve your support.

Our Voter Guide is not created in coordination with any candidate or campaign. Candidates featured in is resource are endorsed based on MPA’s research of their platform and campaign, as well as input we receive from engaged, informed parents in each community. We identify the strongest candidates in each district who can be trusted to prioritize achievement, equal treatment for all students, parental involvement, safety, transparency and accountability.

All candidates featured in the Voter Guide are given the option to have the “Pro-Human Pledge” designation in their profile to indicate that they are aligned with and supportive of the FAIR Pro-Human Pledge. This is not an endorsement by FAIR, but rather a way for candidates to further emphasize their stance on fair and equal treatment of ALL students.

If you are interested in becoming a candidate for school board or you are a candidate who is interested in being featured in our Voter Guide, contact us today!

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Pro-Human Badge
Newly Elected

Linda Hoekman

Anoka Hennepin School District 11
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Linda Hoekman

Hello, I am Linda Hoekman, a mom, teacher, and concerned Minnesotan. While working in Anoka-Hennepin schools, I witnessed the dilution of curriculum and decline in discipline that has resulted in plummeting test scores. Our schools have a history of greatness and I know we can restore that tradition. I am committed to restoring excellence, freedom, and fairness to our schools by working with parents to ensure our children are protected from danger and politicized instruction. I plan to bring my experience and passion for education to the board because every student deserves a world class education. Thank you for considering me for the school board.
Pro-Human Badge

Aaron Brooksby

Inver Grove Heights School District 199
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Aaron Brooksby

I'm Aaron Brooksby and I'm running for School Board Member in the Special Election for Inver Grove Heights Schools (ISD #199). As an attorney and dedicated advocate, I'm committed to raising academic standards, fostering unity, and empowering parents. Our schools should provide top-notch education, emphasizing high expectations and student success. I believe in creating a strong partnership between parents and teachers and in crafting district policies that reflect our community's values. Join me in achieving excellence, unity, and parent-driven policies in ISD #199.
Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Tracy Stuewe

St. Peter School District 508
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Tracy Stuewe

My name is Tracy Stuewe. I am excited to announce that I am seeking re-election for a second term on the St. Peter School Board. My husband and I have raised our family and have made St. Peter our home for the past 22 years. We have three children who have graduated from St. Peter Public Schools and our youngest son just started 9th grade. I am running for re-election because I believe a good quality public education system will make for a better community for all of us. If re-elected I will continue to be fiscally responsible by making wise budgeting decisions, focus on ways to increase student enrollment and will keep students at the heart of every decision that is made. I want to be your common-sense voice on the St. Peter School Board. It is an honor to currently be serving and I ask for your vote on November 7th.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Bill Weber

St. Peter School District 508
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Bill Weber

Hello, my name is Bill Weber and I am running for District 508-St. Peter School Board. I am a long time resident of the St. Peter District with connections to the community dating back to 1994. I am running for school board to be a common sense voice for the students, parents, teachers, and staff of District 508. As a parent of three students in the district, I have a vested interest in working hard to insure that all children in our community receive a high quality education in a safe learning environment and that we use our resources wisely to achieve this goal.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Krystal Loula

St. Peter School District 508
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Krystal Loula

Hello! My name is Krystal Loula (pronounced 'Lola'). I have lived and worked on our family farm, just outside of St. Peter, for 18 years along with my husband. We have three amazing daughters who are in 10th, 7th and 4th grades. I'm running for school board because I'm passionate about the children of our community and their future in the St. Peter School District. If elected, I promise to listen to the parents/members of the community and ensure their voices are heard and represented.
Parent Endorsed Badge

John Wilcox

South Saint Paul School District 6
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John Wilcox

The most important issue facing our schools is to make up for the learning loss our children have experienced. District wide, Academic scores have declined sharply. Despite valiant efforts by our teachers, in a very difficult situation. We need to get all our students back on track and caught up to where they should be. To do this we need to put our focus on academics and not activism. Keep Politics out of the Classroom. Promote Student accountability and transparency with parents on curriculum and academic standards.
Pro-Human Badge

Ibsen Gabriel

Fridley School District 14
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Ibsen Gabriel

I am an advocate for education, I believe that every student deserves access to quality education that will help prepare them for success in their future. We face many challenges, especially with the set back that the Covid pandemic brought our students. I am running because we have work to do and I want to be a voice for students, families, and the community. I want to advocate for policies and practices that ensure every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential. By partnering teachers, schools and parents, we can better help our future succeed.
Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Allie Schmidt

Spring Lake Park School District 16
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Allie Schmidt

I know that education has the power to change one’s path in life. I want to make sure that all our students have the opportunity to reach their full potential and continue to be supported by teachers who have the resources and tools they need to deliver the quality education our children deserve. I hope to build on the great work already being done in the district, and provide a voice for parents, teachers, and students alike. Safety, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability are of the utmost importance in the schools, and I will advocate for parents, students and teachers. I’m committed and I’m ready to work for our kids and our schools.
Pro-Human Badge

Ricardo Oliva

Bloomington School District 271
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Ricardo Oliva

I grew up in Bloomington, graduated from Kennedy High School, and went on to earn a B.M. in Contemporary Writing and Production from Berklee College of Music and a M.M. in Music Education from Boston University. Whether it is coaching youth baseball, serving on an advisory committee, or teaching music lessons, I feel great joy in serving our community and I am passionate about education. I am running for school board so I can combine my experience with my dedication to education and have a positive influence on our entire school community.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Sandra Johnson

Bloomington School District 271

Sandra Johnson


Parent Endorsed Badge

Langa Oriho

Bloomington School District 271
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Langa Oriho

I have migrated from South Sudan to US particularly Bloomington 7 years ago,I have a bachelor Degree in Computer Science from Comboni College Khartoum, Currently working as Cloud Engineer, Also serving as a board member in School in Sudan where our school has been leading the region for 3 years now. I serve migrant communities helping them to bridge the gap between the two worlds. Personally Education was the only tool to make it in life and I am happy to transfer my experience to Bloomington Schools.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Roger Ungemach

Fridley School District 14

Roger Ungemach


Parent Endorsed Badge

Nancy Blanchard

Hastings School District 200

Nancy Blanchard


Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Jenny Wiederholt-Pine

Hastings School District 200

Jenny Wiederholt-Pine


Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Philip Biermaier

Hastings School District 200

Philip Biermaier


Pro-Human Badge
Newly Elected

Melissa Millner

Hastings School District 200
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Melissa Millner

I am running for school board because as a business owner for 25 years, I know these kids need a great education to thrive as adults. The decline in our academics is unacceptable. The behavior and bullying issues contribute to classroom challenges. 25% of Hastings students leave the district, taking with them precious funding that the district needs for improving all aspects of our schools. The current state of our schools tells us we need to let go of the division and come together for our kids, our schools, our teachers and our community! Let’s restore excellence!
Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Kaj Thompson

Hopkins School District 270

Kaj Thompson


Pro-Human Badge

Brandon Voges

Minnetonka School District 276
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Brandon Voges

I am running for Minnetonka School Board to ensure our district regains its academic excellence in safe and secure facilities. Despite our vast resources and incredible educators, 1:4 students are not proficient in math, science and reading. Since 2018, the percentage of students falling-short of Minnesota’s proficiency standards has grown from 19.1% to 27.2%. in 2022. I believe a re-commitment to strict adherence to academics in the classroom and empowerment of parents throughout their kids’ schooling, will stop the downward trend and more students will flourish. Our district is great, however, there are issues surfacing which must be addressed.
Pro-Human Badge

Chris Kratoska

Minnetonka School District 276
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Chris Kratoska

I'm an owner of (and ran for the past 5 years) a small business that teaches kids to code. In that time, I've been blessed to teach many of Minnetonka's brightest students, as well as employ several great high schoolers. For the past 3 years, I've been a volunteer with the Minnetonka branch of Treehouse, an organization that works with local teens, often from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our mantra that we have our teens repeat at the end of each night is: "I am lovable, capable and worthwhile. I am loved without strings and never alone. I have a future." I think this is such an important message for our kids to hear these days, and would love for every student in our district to know those truths about themselves. I feel I have a great sense of the kids in our district, from pre-school to high school, of all different socio-economic statuses, with neurodivergent & typical student. I know how kids learn, and what it takes to educate a child. We picked Minnetonka schools because of their reputation for excellence. If elected, I'd be honored to contribute to the great schools we already have, and keep improving them.
Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Kemerie Foss

Minnetonka School District 276

Kemerie Foss


Parent Endorsed Badge

Karen Jordan

Minnetonka School District 276

Karen Jordan


Parent Endorsed Badge
Newly Elected

Zach Arco

Anoka Hennepin School District 11
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Zach Arco

I am running for the Anoka-Hennepin School Board because I want to restore the public education system to what it was when I was a student. I will work to restore the academic performance of students, make sure Blaine has adequate facilities to meet the growing demand of the city, and respect the rights of parents to raise their children according to their own values and beliefs by removing culturally divisive and politically divisive content from the classroom and curriculum. It’s time to return to the mission statement of Minnesota statute 120a.03, “The mission of public education in Minnesota, a system for lifelong learning, is to ensure individual academic achievement, an informed citizenry, and a highly productive work force."
Parent Endorsed Badge

Ryan McLaughlin

Spring Lake Park School District 16

Ryan McLaughlin


Parent Endorsed Badge

Scott Simmons

Anoka Hennepin School District 11
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Scott Simmons

I am running for the Anoka-Hennepin School Board because it’s time to put students first by focusing on three essential priorities. First, we must raise academic performance. The District’s primary mission must be to educate our kids to be successful by restoring high standards and closing achievement gaps. Second, we must ensure classroom safety. Teachers need a safe environment in which to teach. Classroom disruption hurts learning. Accountability must be restored to student conduct. Third, we must uphold parental rights. Curriculum transparency and parental engagement empowers parents in their students’ education. The partnership between parents and teachers must be improved to restore strong schools.
Pro-Human Badge
Newly Elected

Valentina Eyres

Wayzata School District 284
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Valentina Eyres

I decided to run for school board because I believe that: * We need to rebuild trust between parents, teachers, and the school administration in order to regain the students who left the school system during the COVID emergency. * Each student is an individual, not just a member of a group. * Students should be taught how to think, not what to think. * Parents are responsible for their children’s moral and social development. * We need to focus on reading proficiency, so all students start "reading to learn” by 3 rd grade. *We need to ensure that technology serves education rather than the reverse.
Pro-Human Badge

Frances Wittenberg

Duluth School District 709
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Frances Wittenberg

My passion is to continue to serve and help make a positive difference in our children's education and advocate for our community stakeholders - their parents, families, and most importantly our educators! The lack of transparency and how the Duluth School District manages changes concerns me. My priority is to provide solutions to bridge the student academic gap amongst the schools, defend the educators by making a priority to support their ability to teach effectively in their own classrooms, and to focus our attention to keep our children safe throughout the school grounds, in bathrooms and on school buses.
Pro-Human Badge

Jessica Johnson

Stillwater School District 834
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Jessica Johnson

As a parent of four, I’m running for school board to champion quality, science-backed education for all students. Committed to a safe, respectful environment for students and teachers, I endorse accountability. I back evidence-based curriculum, fostering critical thinking and a well-rounded education. My aim is to empower parents' choices in their children's education and ensure that community values are reflected in decisions, preserving a diverse range of perspectives and transparent, local control of our schools. My dedication to education and our children's future drives my candidacy, promising a balanced, responsible, and value-driven approach to shaping our school system. Secure a promising future for our district’s youth by voting for me, someone who values education, fiscal responsibility, and community input.
Pro-Human Badge

Anthony Mahmood

South Washington County School District 833
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Anthony Mahmood

Reasons for running 1. Transparency with curriculum and finances. 2. Teachers shouldn't have to spend their own time writing curriculum. 3. Focus on the fundamentals (reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history) 4. Why did we get rid of our mental health teachers? 5. Stream line administration.
Pro-Human Badge

Jaime Kokaisel

South Washington County School District 833
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Jaime Kokaisel

My motivation to run for District 833 School Board began two and a half years ago when I was researching private and homeschool options for my two children. Once I saw how GREAT education could be in the private school models, it became very clear to me that fundamental GOODNESS was missing in the public school : GOOD grades, GOOD behavior, GOOD choices. I believe there is tremendous value in recognizing the strengths that each model of learning brings to the WORKFORCE. We the District of SoWashCo Schools have the potential for EXCELLENCE, but first we need to restore our focus on academics and limit distractions in the classroom.
Pro-Human Badge
Newly Elected

Ryan Clarke

South Washington County School District 833
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Ryan Clarke

It’s all about the kids! My wife and I have three children attending public schools in district 833. I’ve observed a shifting focus from the traditional academic approach to a more politically biased curriculum. I’m also concerned with student behavior, lack of respect, and declining academic achievement. Public education should NOT be political, nor should the school board. Public education should develop aptitude and promote critical thinking of complex issues. Each student is an individual; schools should focus on students' academic progress, encourage positive personal character growth, and offer diverse experiences and perspectives that prepare students for the real world.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Christopher Reffkin

Westonka 277
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Christopher Reffkin

Exceptional education is fundamental for all Westonka students. Our students must be able to grow and achieve their fullest potential. Unfortunately, in 2022, only 66.8% of math students and only 60.4% of science students met state standards. Perhaps most critically, only 73.2% of students met state reading standards (per MDE). Community expectations must be higher than this to ensure our students can compete in the world of the mid-21st century. With a proper educational foundation, Westonka students will set themselves on a path for future success. I believe the School Board is responsible for making this a reality.
Pro-Human Badge

Paul Wikstrom

Mounds View School District 621
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Paul Wikstrom

In January 2022 the school board established a policy prohibiting parents and residents from speaking at the regular board meetings. This silenced the public voice. I started thinking about running for school board. With the increasing violence in the schools and the declining standard test scores, I committed to the 2023 race! We need safety, academic achievement, parental involvement with the teachers and students, and transparency to our school district!
Parent Endorsed Badge

Heidi Caccamo

Mounds View School District 621
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Heidi Caccamo

With a deep commitment to our students' well-being, I prioritize school safety as a fundamental right for every child. Learning should never be disrupted by concerns about personal safety. Additionally, I am dedicated to fostering academic achievement by ensuring that each student receives the highest quality education and learning opportunity. I strongly believe in the power of parental involvement, recognizing that open communication and a strong partnership between parents and teachers are vital to each child's success. It is my unwavering goal to create a supportive environment where every student and family feels embraced, supported, and equipped with the resources they need to thrive.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Art Mills

Mounds View School District 621
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Art Mills

My mission is to ensure that every student in Mounds View has access to a high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. I believe that this requires transparency, community engagement and reasonable decision-making that considers the needs of all students and families free from divisive partisan issues that divert from the mission. As a school board member, I will work to promote equality of opportunity, support our teachers and staff and engage our community in meaningful dialogue about the future of our schools. Together, we can build a better Mounds View School District for all.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Mark Kelliher

Mounds View School District 621
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Mark Kelliher

I am running for school board so that our children of today, who incidentally, will be the leaders of tomorrow, will be better equipped with the skills to do well in the real world. We have seen a steady erosion in academic proficiency, a true statement even before Covid. The current board has been distracted with social engineering issues and, as a result, important educational fundamentals have gone out of focus. This focus WILL change when I am elected. I will also open board meetings to public comments because parents and the entire community should have a say in educating our children.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Lori Urkiel

Rosemount Apple Valley Eagan 196
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Lori Urkiel

Let Kids be Kids. I will work for a better classroom with improved education for our children and a healthy environment for our teachers and staff while encouraging productive relationships between parents and the district.
Pro-Human Badge

Melissa Field

Rosemount Apple Valley Eagan 196
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Melissa Field

As a mother and retired police officer, safety for our kids has always been at the forefront of my mind. As more parents and schools report safety concerns for both students and teachers, I believe the school board can begin to address these issues through supporting parents by allowing them to parent their children as they see fit, allowing teachers to teach knowledge and skills needed to prepare them to be marketable in the workforce, and ensure taxpayer money is being spent on necessary resources to ensure excellent learning and a safe environment.
Pro-Human Badge

Teressa Schlueter

Rosemount Apple Valley Eagan 196
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Teressa Schlueter

My purpose is to be a champion for students and a voice for parents; I have seen and experienced gaps as a mom and active volunteer in ISD196. We need to ensure all children receive an equal and inclusive education that encourages them to reach their full potential, as well as a focus on core curriculum and transparency in academics. There is opportunity to have an even greater partnership between students, staff, parents, and the school board, while also providing the community a clear understanding of the district budget and spending.
Pro-Human Badge

Kim Bauer

Rosemount Apple Valley Eagan 196
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Kim Bauer

I believe the foundation for student success begins with solid literacy, math, and science skills. Unfortunately, District 196 has steadily declined in these core areas for the past ten years. We need to do better for our students — if elected, I’ll advocate for the resources, policies, and support systems that will make meaningful and measurable improvement in academic performance for our schools. I’ll also champion increased parent and community involvement to ensure diverse viewpoints are represented, respected, and reflected in the district’s plans. I’ll be a strong voice for students, parents, and teachers. Let’s help our students and get our district back on track!
Parent Endorsed Badge

Cheryl Ekstrand

Columbia Heights School District 13

Cheryl Ekstrand


Parent Endorsed Badge

Alan Holasek

Roseville School District 623
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Alan Holasek

Our public schools have a history of drawing families and teachers to Roseville. We spend over $20,000 per student and are well-positioned to put our schools at the top of the list. However, only 50% of Roseville students are proficient in reading, and 38% are proficient in math. In addition, many teachers are quitting over violence in our schools. Almost ten teachers from the middle school quit this past year. I believe we can do a much better job utilizing the resources our community puts into our schools to support our teachers and students.
Parent Endorsed Badge

Karl Crump

Roseville School District 623

Karl Crump


Parent Endorsed Badge

Adam Maier

Roseville School District 623

Adam Maier


Aaron Olson

Chisago Lakes School District 2144

Aaron Olson


Copyright © 2024 Minnesota Parents Alliance. All Rights Reserved.
Prepared and paid for by Minnesota Parents Alliance, 1161 E. Wayzata Blvd #55, Wayzata, MN 55391. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Prepared and paid for by Minnesota Parents Alliance, 1161 E. Wayzata Blvd #55, Wayzata, MN 55391. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Copyright © 2024 Minnesota Parents Alliance. All Rights Reserved.
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