Greetings!  My name is Debbie Dodge and I am a 64-year-old life-long Minnesotan.

I have owned and operated a successful business for over 20 years. I am a member of several Buffalo Community organizations and an active member of my church. I volunteer at a transitional housing facility helping children and teens with their reading and homework.  I am also a Mom, and the Minnesota Chapter President of United States Parents Involved in Education, both of which have enabled me to get an inside look at education in America and how critical parental control is to raising intelligent, independent thinkers in a very confusing world.

I am running for BHM School Board because this is not the Minnesota Education system I grew up with.  I am deeply concerned about the rapid decline in proficiency in reading, writing, and math since the focus has shifted from academics to ideology.  This is not acceptable.  Parents should be in charge of their children’s education, not watching others make decisions for them.

I did not attend school board meetings when my children were in school, and in hindsight, I truly wish I could go back and do this differently.

I consider the following to be the most important issues facing the school district now and this is how I would propose solving these issues:

1)      Raise the bar in academics with strong fundamental skills! Once upon a time, public schools did educate children in the basics of math, science, history, grammar, and literature, but now they are not.  Less than a third of children are proficient in any core subject based on the government’s own absurdly “dumbed-down” standards.  In the 2026 Kids Count report, Minnesota ranked 21st nationally in education, down from 7th in 2021.  We need to return to the education system that actually worked for hundreds of years. I think the curriculum is questionable at best – Ethnic Studies, Social Emotional Learning, Restorative Justice – that’s a big part of the problem.   Political or agenda -based items should not be allowed in speech or classrooms.  A kid can’t make change at the grocery store but they can tell you all about “intersectional oppression,” “global citizenship,” “gender,” and global warming.  If you’re a teacher, this is nothing personal – I’m calling out the system you’re working under.

2)      Restore control of education to the parents and the local government.  Parents are the primary educators of their children and they need to reclaim that responsibility.  The School Board serves the people, so communication must be fostered between Parents, the Community, and the School Board.  Parents must be visible and involved, and the schools need to be transparent about everything that is being taught in the classroom.  All of us, as a community, are tasked with making sure all of our children are strong, moral, free thinkers — not sheep.

3)      Transparency and Accountability.  Tax-payers should know exactly what their money is spent on – teacher workshops, students’ sources of education, and what grants and contracts/programs are being approved.  We need board members who are willing and able to honestly and critically review the current systems, processes, and goals with the aim to drive the district toward excellence.  School Board meetings should be recorded and made public just like our county board and city council meetings.  Parents should be actively encouraged and welcomed at the School Board meetings.