9 candidates for school board

Nine candidates vying for four seats on Minneota school board

Nine candidates are vying for four open spots on the Minneota School Board when the public votes on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Dawn Van Keulen and Jeff Buysse, longtime school board members, have each decided not to run for re-election, while two current school board members, Abby Thostenson and Tom Skorczewski, are each running for another term.
The Mascot contacted each of the nine candidates, six women and three men, to give voters a little background and perspective on each one.
Besides Thostenson and Skorczewski, the other seven candidates running this year are Katie Boettger, Christa Bouwman, Jon Buysse, Emily Coequyt, Martin Hennen, Lacy Richards, and Jeri Whortenbury.
Only three of the six candidates grew up in Minneota, but all felt a need to support their
local school district by running.
The four candidates voted in on Tuesday will sit on the school board with current members Terri Myhre, Carmen Panka and Ryan Runia.
Each of the candidates had varying ideas about why they decided to run, why they feel they are qualified to sit on the board, the top needs of the school district, the importance of the school budget, their ideas on keeping the school safe, and their opinion on livestreaming the board meetings in order for those who are unable to attend a meeting to view them.
Running for school board can be a challenging and exciting experience as it allows an opportunity to contribute and improve your school district and community. Contributing your ideas while collaborating as a team with other school board members and administrators is vital to accomplish goals that can benefit students and faculty members.Katie Boettger
Katie grew up in Boyd and graduated from Dawson-Boyd High School in 2012. Katie and her husband, Matt, live in Minneota and have one son, Hayes, who turns two in February. Katie is employed with Fixen Chiropractic in Minneota as a chiropractor assistant.

Why did you decide to run for school board?
I decided to run for school board as I would like to become even more involved with the school. I have been an assistant softball coach for the Minneota/Canby softball team since 2019. I love being involved with the community/students in that respect, but would like the opportunity to be involved on the other spectrum of the district as well.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
I feel I am qualified to be on the school board as I have worked in the community for over four years and I have been involved with the school for three years as a softball coach. Throughout my time of working at Universal Forest Products before beginning my career with Fixen Chiropractic, I have learned the value of working as a team as I was working with various departments at our facility on a daily basis. I also needed to understand situations that arose from all perspectives before taking action to either resolve an issue or handle a task at hand. This is not something that is figured out overnight, it takes time and effort—both of which I put forth in that position to the best of my ability.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
I believe the top needs of the school are as follows: Continue to evaluate how we can make the education for our students better and ensure their success in the future, and ensure our food programs continue to thrive as we know that is crucial for our children, no matter what age.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
The budget priorities for me include technology for the students and staff, security updates for the school and transportation to ensure all children have a safe and reliable way to get to school each day.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
​Minneota School currently has several processes/procedures/technologies in place to ensure the safety of the students and staff. The one process I would like to see implemented to make the school safer as well as create a learning opportunity to see law enforcement personnel in a positive setting is to have the local agencies visit the school and interact with the students/staff more often. There are currently law enforcement agencies who have officers come into the school on occasion but having that presence be more often, if possible, I think will help the students and staff get to know the officers on a positive note to be more comfortable around them if anything should arise.

Christa Bouwman
Bouwman grew up in Swea City, IA and graduated from North Kossuth High School. After high school, she attended Waldorf College and earned an Associate of Arts degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance. She also played softball collegiately. Christa and husband Drew have lived in Minneota for 15 years. They have one daughter, Keatyn, 10; and one son, Colt, 9. Christa is a credit manager for U.S. Bank in Marshall where she has worked for over 20 years.

Why did you decide to run for school board?
The main reason I decided to run for the school board is to be an advocate for our kids along with the faculty and staff within our district.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
I feel that I have the ability to listen and offer sound advice and suggestions. I have not and will not shy away from the tough topics and will always put ALL students, ALL staff members, as well as our community, as a priority when making decisions.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
It’s extremely important to grow and excel our programs within academics and encourage our students that we have the tools and resources to help them achieve success. Secondarily, to continue with the improvements and modernizations to our facilities to make sure we give our students, staff, and community the best experience possible when within our facilities. We need to continue to ensure we create a safe space for all.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
In my opinion, our budget priorities should be adding programs to build and maintain academic success, have a plan for long-term facilities, and most importantly doing this while being fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. This will all help to ensure all our students have the best tools possible to grow our school district.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
​Our school, today, does an excellent job in keeping our school safe by partnering with our local law enforcement in Chief Bill Bolt and ensuring that communication is clear and transparent. We also have an excellent administration in place to ensure all students and staff are safe each day.

Jon Buysse
Jon, born and raised in Minneota, and a high school graduate here, lives and farms near town with his wife, Mandi, and their two children, Max, 8; and Emma, 5.

Why did you decide to run for school board?
I decided to run because I have children in the school and would like to understand what the school board does and help in any way I can.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
I have been on the Westerheim township board for many years and I’m a business owner.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
To continue to put education and safety first while being mindful of the taxpayer’s dollars.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
I would like to get a full understanding of the budget and financial position of the school before I would have a priority.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
It seems that we currently have a safe school. I would just like to continue growing in school safety as the needs change.

Emily Coequyt
Emily grew up in Canby and graduated high school there. She and husband Matt live in Minneota and have four children – Bretten, 15; Jaylyn, 13; Nolan, 10; and Daxton, 4. Emily is a National Accounts Executive for Westrock. She also works as an EMT and educator, and is co-director for the Minneota First Responders.

Why did you decide to run for school board?
I have four children within the walls of our school. I feel a need to be giving back to our school and community, and this would be one opportunity to do that.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
As a contracted educator in the high school and a substitute teacher, I have a unique insight as to what the needs of the district could be. I see where we excel and areas that we need to look at and improve upon. In my position at Westrock, one area I specialized in is looking for ways to become more efficient and to cut costs without a reduction in productivity or quality. I feel that this background will be very beneficial as a member of our school board.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
Top needs include ensuring all students have access to the supplies and materials that they need along with access to nutritious meals. I would also like to see the school work to have greater partnership with local colleges to offer a greater range of post-secondary education options. However, I feel there is a great opportunity for our school to work directly with trade schools to provide post-secondary options in various trade vocations. There is high demand for new workers to enter the trade industry, and a partnership within our high school could set up several students for future success.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
Fiscal responsibility is of the utmost importance. We need to understand and respect that the money we spend is taxpayer dollars. We need to weigh the balance between expending tax dollars to be a benefit that will be provided to our students. If the expense does not provide benefit to students, the money should not be spent. Our current priorities need to focus on the ability to keep the quality educators we have and be able to attract new quality teachers. Other priorities need to center around student needs. We need to stay current with technology and ensure all of our students have access to the materials needed for a quality education.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
With the tragic events that have occurred in schools throughout our country we cannot afford to turn a blind eye and say it will not happen here. Although our school has taken some fantastic steps in bolstering school security, we need to be proactive in the safety of our students. I would support personal safety education for our students, push for education of pre-violence warning signs for our staff, and expect that reports of concern are brought forward regardless of how minor. It is all too often that we can look back at a tragic incident and see all the red flags. I would also support school staff training with local emergency responders. Aside from the school building we need to review school safety plans for off-campus locations such as the athletic fields, and on the school bus.

Martin Hennen
Martin grew up in Minneota and graduated high school here. Martin and wife, Laura, live on the farm outside of Minneota that Martin grew up on. They have four children, three in the Minneota school system and one in college.

Why did you decide to run for school board?
I decided to run for the Minneota School Board because I wanted to be involved in the decision-making process for the education of my children.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
I work well with others and feel that I am level-headed in my decision making.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
One of the top needs of the school district is to make sure all of our students receive the highest education possible. We need to make sure that there aren’t students who fall between the cracks and get behind.

What do you feel are the bud
get priorities?
I feel that there are a couple of budget priorities for our school district. One of the priorities is to make sure that our teachers and staff members are compensated fairly so that we can have consistency (rather than a large turnover). Another budget priority would be the regular maintenance/up keep of our school buildings and grounds.

What, if anything, would you like to see implemented to make the school safer?
I feel that our administration is doing a great job of keeping up with the safety needs of our school. As time goes on, there are always improvements that come along. We need to keep up with safety measures as needed.

Lacy Richards
Lacy is a native of Lidgerwood, ND, where she also graduated from. Lacy and her husband, Ted Gregoire, live in Minneota and have two sons, Bensyn, 9; and Elliot, 2. Lacy works for U.S. Bank in Marshall in Default Management.

Why did you decide to run for school board, and why do you feel qualified?
As a parent of young children and a member of our rural community, I am aware of the challenges that our youth face. Whether it be improving access to school meals or re-imagining proactive approaches to deter bullying, I have both the desire and time to dedicate to our school district.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
According to 2020 Census data, over 41 percent of households in Minneota earn less than $50,000 annually while the median household income sits at $58,824. This equates to, at least, 174 households that are living in or just above poverty. Children cannot focus, learn or retain information if they’re hungry, so it is critical that we make changes to improve access to sufficient and healthy meals during the school year (and beyond). Additionally, I feel strongly that the districts’ Bullying Prohibition Policy should be reevaluated and expanded to include programming that engages families and community members. While I’m aware that the school cannot monitor this at all times and does not have jurisdiction over children outside of school, it is abundantly clear that parents, families, and community members get involved, stay engaged, and remain proactive.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
I would advocate for additional funding to further offset the cost of school meals for all students, not just those eligible for free and reduced meals. I’d like to explore grant programs, local angel or foundation-type support or additional federal dollars to fund this line item. I believe that our teachers should receive higher pay and that the district establishes a set-aside fund for school supplies. Families are often unable to provide adequate school supplies, which subsequently falls on the teachers’ shoulders. Teachers continue to support their students by purchasing supplies out-of-pocket. To offset this, the district could explore programs like Impacks, a nonprofit, Minnesota-based start-up that works with districts and communities to provide school supply kits tailored to classrooms’ needs.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
Poverty, access to food, educational resources, as well as mental health and bullying concerns all contribute to a students’ educational success. I think we should consider sourcing funding mechanisms and implementing programs to improve the students’ experience and safety.

Tom Skorczewski (I)
Tom grew up in Marshall and is a Marshall High School graduate. He and Tara have been married for 10 years and have lived in Minneota for nine years. They have five children; Ben, 20; Sam, 17; Eva, 8; Lydia, 5; and Emelia, 3. Tom is employed with AgPlus and works out of the Minneota office in Energy Sales.

Why did you decide to run for another term?
I’m running because I feel our school is a great place and I want that to continue.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
I feel I’m qualified with my wide range of business knowledge and having four children currently in our school, I feel I have a pulse on what is happening there.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
The top “needs” are; always making sure our students are getting the best education, making sure our staff (Kitchen staff, Teachers, Paraprofessionals, Custodial staff, Office staff and Administration) have a voice and for them to know they are valued and essential. I feel it is also very important for parents to be involved in their child’s education.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
Our budget should always be child driven first. Their education is the main priority.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
As someone that lives near our school, I feel a “drop off zone” would be a great addition to our school.

Abby Thostenson (I)
Abby was born and raised in Minneota and graduated here in 2002. She and husband, Joe, have three children; Hudson, eighth grade; Alexis, sixth grade; and Ivy, first grade. Abby is a Project Coordinator at Meier Electric.

Why did you decide to run for another term?
I decided to run for another term for the students and staff and to continue to serve our community. The last four years have been very rewarding and challenging. I would like to continue to be invested and make an impact on the school and continue to have a safe and fun environment for everyone who enters the building. All three of my kids are currently attending Minneota Public Schools, and it is rewarding to see firsthand how invested the teachers and staff are. I want to continue to make sure we can provide the best opportunities for all our students.

Why do you feel qualified to be a school board member?
As I finish my first term as a School Board member, I feel the qualifications that make me a great candidate are I am a committed person, work well with others, a good listener, and asking the questions from a parent/community member perspective as well as a board member serving the district and having the district, staff and student’s best interest.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
For the school district to continue to be transparent by communicating with the staff, students, parents, and community. Keeping our staff energized and not burnt out and providing the best possible tools and support we as a school board and community can. For the district to continue to focus their priority to prepare the students for their future and making the transition from middle school to junior high to high school to their future after high school successful and to help shape them to be a purposeful citizen.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
To work closely with our administration and business manager on how the district’s budget looked pre-pandemic to now and evaluating how the pandemic and the COVID funds impacted the district and evaluating how the rising costs and supply chain shortages are impacting the current budget and how will it impact our future budget.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
I feel we currently do a great job in keeping our school safe. The improvements the district has made over the years provide the school with lots of great safety features. The district has cameras, fire doors, security doors, has implemented only one entrance into the school building once school is in session, added crosswalk supervisors and implementing the designated areas for student drop off and pick up, and increased outdoor lighting around the school property. The district has implemented safety and crisis teams and training.

Jeri Whortenbury
Jeri was born and raised in Canby, graduating from Canby High School. Jeri and her husband, Tom, have lived in Minneota the past nine years. They have three sons, Gavin, Mason and Brenten. Jeri works at First Independent Bank as a Loan Technician.

Why did you decide to run for school board, and why do you feel qualified?
I served on the school board previously; during that time, I learned how the budgets work, the policy and procedures processes and how everyone within the school district (administration and all staff) collaborate together to keep our children and school system their top priority. I’m a firm believer in there is always more to learn; however, with the platform of knowledge I’ve obtained while previously serving, it was a privilege learning those starting points and I hope I am able to continue to learn more for our district.

What do you feel are the top needs of the school district?
Maintaining the resources and continued education for our teachers to continue implementing the lessons. Technology is always changing, allowing the resources for those changes allow the teachers to teach the children.

What do you feel are the budget priorities?
As mentioned above, maintaining the resources for teachers is a high priority. As everything around us changes, the budgets change too and how to prioritize them as well. Keeping an open mind on what needs to be addressed and how to address them are key factors.

What would you like to see done to make the school safer?
With three children currently in the school district, I believe the administration and staff do a tremendous job at keeping our children safe. For example, when I enter the building, the doors are locked and visitors need to be let in. This is a positive way in protecting our children and the staff.

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The Minneota Mascot
Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492