Campaign Phone Number
4145307907
First, student achievement and developing our policies and strategic plan to ensure they support every student to reach their fullest potential. Second, ensuring our spending aligns with our revenue and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Third, in the next 5 years, about 150 of our teachers will be eligible for retirement, so having strong retention and recruitment plans will be crucial.
Funding public schools begins with making sure the community understands the importance of public education and that strong public schools benefit everyone in the community. Our Board has a robust system in place to ensure we actively communicate with the legislature to secure funding, and I will continue to support this. Finally, staffing strong grant writers is critical to ensure we continue to receive this type of funding.
Boards should establish high expectations for student achievement with clear accountability measures to reach these outcomes. Boards need to embrace data, even when the information is negative, and use it to drive continuous improvement for our students. The primary way the Board does this is through its policies and monitoring, but the Board also plays a symbolic role. A cohesive board that is unified in its commitment to student achievement sets a positive tone for the entire District.
One of our most successful recruitment programs is our “Grow Your Own” program, which supports current employees returning to school for teaching degrees. This allows our talented workforce to grow into different roles in our District. I would also ensure that our teachers’ salaries and workday schedules are competitive and allow educators to thrive. Finally, mentoring and a supportive school culture that recognizes and celebrates educators can positively impact recruitment and retention.
This District has always been a part of my life. My family worked here, I attended K-12 and graduated from Fargo South, and my children attend here. We have amazing students who are changing the world each day, talented educators who are guiding them along in doing that, and I will make sure our community knows this. This District is a place for everyone and supports every learner, which is exactly why I am proud to send my kids to this District, proud to serve it, and proud to champion it.
Endorsements
Fargo Education Association
Campaign Phone Number
701-388-7369
My top three priorities have been, and will continue to be, supporting our staff, strengthening student success, and continuing to show up, listen, and lead. Supporting staff means focusing on recruitment and retention and ensuring educators feel valued. Student success means prioritizing belonging and relevant, personalized learning. I will continue showing up in our schools to listen, learn, and make informed decisions while advancing our strategic plan grounded in shared values.
Adequate funding requires transparency, innovation, and keeping students at the center of every decision. Fargo Public Schools is, and has been, a financially sound district, and we must continue that discipline. My focus will remain on prioritizing students and staff while advocating for stable, sustainable funding at the state level to ensure public dollars are invested in public schools.
Student success is our number one responsibility, and the school board sets the strategic plan with students in mind. It is our responsibility to hire, direct, and evaluate the superintendent, set clear goals, align resources, and ensure accountability for results. By staying focused on outcomes, using data to guide decisions, and listening to our community, we help create the conditions for every student to succeed.
Supporting recruitment and retention starts with valuing our staff. That includes ensuring competitive compensation and continued salary growth, strengthening programs like Grow Your Own, and providing strong mentorship for new hires. We must also respect educators’ expertise, offer relevant professional development, and create meaningful opportunities for input. I will continue to show up, listen, and advocate for our educators so they feel supported and choose to stay.
I have already proven to be a champion for Fargo Public Schools by consistently showing up in our schools and at events, connecting with staff and students, and never shying away from celebrating their success. I will continue to advocate for our district, share the great work happening in our classrooms, and build strong relationships in our community and at the state level to support our schools.
Endorsements
Fargo Education Association
Campaign Phone Number
701-212-0703
1) Addressing Teacher Recruitment and Retention. A 2024 survey of ND teachers found that only 40% plan to retire as teachers. This is a sign they’re overburdened, underpaid, and burning out.
2) Improving Student Attendance. Students can’t learn if they aren’t in school. Yet 1 in 4 Fargo students are absent more than 10% of the school year.
3) Revitalizing the Strategic Plan. It is essential that every dollar and every decision is focused on what’s best for our students, staff, and community.
As the school board’s Planning Committee chair, I spent the last year leading the effort to reduce spending and bring the budget back into balance. However, I believe the budget represents an investment in our young people and Fargo’s future, so we can’t slash spending year after year. In order to continue investing in the teachers and programs that directly impact student achievement, we must rein in spending on less impactful things like runaway administrative and transportation costs.
It all begins with developing a strategic plan where the school board, with community input, identifies which academic outcomes are the most essential for the education of our students. To achieve those outcomes, the board then directs its resources into the educators and programs necessary for success.
The board must plan for the future. But it must also monitor progress towards achieving outcomes and be willing to adapt. Continuous improvement demands continuously vigilant board members.
I’ll fight to increase wages. I’m not happy with the 1% raises FPS has given for the last few years, and neither are staff. If school funding from the state continues to lag, the board will have to reduce spending elsewhere in order to pay our educators fairly.
I’ll also work to expand the district’s “Grow Your Own” para-to-teacher program which lifts up talented paraeducators and assists them in becoming licensed teachers.
My life already revolves around public education. My wife is an elementary librarian. Many of my friends & neighbors are teachers. I studied education policy while earning my master’s degree. I help out at book fairs, attend school events, and serve on the FPS Foundation board. I see the daily triumphs and challenges happening in schools.
I’m a professional data analyst. My experience working with complex finances is an asset when budgets are shrinking and every tax dollar must be spent wisely.
Campaign Phone Number
7012382336
My priorities are keeping students at the center of every decision, setting clear and focused district priorities, and using public resources responsibly. It’s important that we stay focused on supporting student learning and prepare students for a rapidly changing world.
As a parent of two children in Fargo Public Schools and someone who has spent most of my career working alongside schools, I understand how board decisions directly impact classrooms.
Ensuring adequate funding requires both responsible budgeting and strong advocacy. I bring experience managing budgets and working with state and federal K-12 funding. Our budget needs to reflect our priorities as a district- and the same can be said at the state level. The current state special education funding is not keeping pace with the needs of serving students. As a board member, I would work collaboratively with legislators to advocate for increased funding for special education.
The Fargo School Board operates under a Policy Governance model which means it is responsible for the strategic direction of the district, rather than the day-to-day decision-making. The Board is responsible for monitoring the outcomes of the district annually through its Results Policies, which include academic outcomes. The Board sets the vision, priorities, and expectations, while the superintendent and staff are responsible for implementation.
Teacher recruitment and retention is a statewide challenge. Since school districts don’t control foundation aid payments, we also need to try focus on what we can control, like ensuring FPS is a district where educators want to work.
That starts with clear priorities and a focused strategic plan. Reducing unnecessary initiatives helps ensure teachers can focus on their core work without feeling overwhelmed. I support adding resources where possible and setting clear priorities.
I bring a balanced, practical approach- I’ve joked I’m a “middle of the road mom,” but that reflects how I lead. I’m invested as a parent, experienced in education, and I approach issues as a problem-solver. I’m running to support and strengthen Fargo Public Schools so every student has the same positive experiences and opportunities as my own kids have.
Campaign Phone Number
7018666968
To produce academic results in the kids of our community.
Balance the budget, and support Dr. Steiner in his vision to do so.
Explore and implement making the Fargo Public Schools safer.
To ensure we are being good stewards by making sure funds are going to true needs of the schools, and not inappropriate expenditures.
The primary role of school board members is to ensure academic success for the students in our community. To accomplish this, the board must collectively identify and select curricula that will help achieve this goal while also holding each school accountable for producing results for every student. I would argue that school choice provides the appropriate level of pressure needed to keep the public school system accountable to the public.
Fargo has incredible educators, and they need strong support from the board to do their jobs. Teachers cannot teach if there is not discipline in the classrooms. Teachers cannot hold students to high standards if the board doesn't continue to call each school higher. And teachers need support from the board to teach objective curriculum that points students towards the exploration and discovery of objective truth in core subjects.
Bear with me here - what I am saying here is we have something to learn from Mississippi and the Mississippi miracle. I would champion the school district through proposing and persuading the board towards following in Mississippi's shoes by becoming most improved through implementing a comprehensive, long-term strategy focused on early literacy, rigorous teacher training in the "science of reading," and strict accountability measures.
Campaign Phone Number
701-429-0699
My top priority is improving student proficiency. That starts with having enough teachers so they can focus on teaching, not managing the needs of a small number of high‑needs students. It requires a hard look at the budget and asking, “Does this help students learn?” I also want to be accessible to parents and clearly explain school board decisions that affect their kids and their tax dollars.
Adequate funding already exists under current mill levy levels. The challenge is using those dollars wisely. I would review the budget from the bottom up, line by line if necessary, and ask tough questions about whether each expense helps students learn. Responsible budgeting—not higher taxes—is how we meet the district’s needs.
School board members drive academic outcomes by setting priorities. We do that by defining how success is measured and aligning the administration around student proficiency—not just being “choice ready.” When students are proficient, they have real options instead of limited ones. The board also controls the budget, and funding should be directed first to the programs and supports that most directly improve student learning.
Strengthen teacher preparation by emphasizing classroom and behavioral management during college. Offer starting pay that is competitive with other entry‑level careers. Pair new teachers with experienced mentors focused on student proficiency. Most importantly, listen to teachers, give them space to raise real issues, and follow through with actions that support their expertise.
I would represent parents, teachers, and community members who have questions but don’t always have the time to attend or speak at board meetings. That means digging into issues, following through on solutions, and ensuring decisions are made in the district’s best interest. I would also monitor and advocate on legislation that affects our schools, with a clear focus on improving student proficiency.
Campaign Phone Number
7012381188
Students: Every child deserves an excellent education. I will focus on measurable learning, small class sizes, family engagement, and ensuring all students feel respected and included.
Educators: Teachers and staff are the heart of our schools. I will advocate for competitive pay, strong resources, manageable workloads, and mental health support.
Community: A strong Fargo invests in kids. I will use fiscal discipline to maximize every dollar while respecting taxpayers and strengthening our city.
I bring proven fiscal discipline and a strong voice to respect taxpayers while maximizing impact. I will prioritize limited resources to improve student outcomes and ensure long-term sustainability. With unparalleled experience at the state legislative level—the largest share of district funding—and in my career managing complex, multi-million-dollar budgets across federal, state, and local sources, I’m ready and will continue to deliver results.
School boards drive student success by setting clear goals, aligning priorities, and using data to guide decisions and resource use. Academic achievement must remain central, but student well-being is essential to learning. I support a whole-child approach with strong supports like counselors and community partnerships. The board must advocate for policies and resources that ensure every student can thrive both academically and be prepared to be contributing members of society.
I’d use a multi-pronged approach: advocate for sustainable state funding to ensure competitive pay and benefits; expand tools like the Vital Network so staff feedback leads to real change; bolster building leadership to foster supportive, collaborative workplaces; and support affordable childcare and adequate special education funding to reduce burnout and improve retention.
I’ll champion the district by continuing to lead with deep roots in Fargo Public Schools—where I was educated and my family continues today. With 20+ years on the Board, including as president and vice president, I bring proven results. I’ve built bipartisan legislative partnerships to secure funding for education, strengthened schools, and will keep fighting for resources and opportunities for every student.
