ISD #277 School Board Member Choose 3
School board members oversee the care, management, and control of schools. This includes hiring, firing, and overseeing superintendents, who manage the day-to-day affairs of the district. They also set levies to fund the district and create school policies.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-school-boardA forum for this race will be held on September 18, 2025 (location). A link to the recording will be posted here as soon as it is available.If your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info. If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!
Biographical Information
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
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Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
I have a deep connection and commitment to the Westonka school district. I graduated from the district in 1975, and have 3 sons who also graduated from the district. As a retired pastor, I am well known in the district, and I continue to serve as a volunteer police chaplain and a member of the Westonka Community Food Shelf Board. Because of the many congregational and community roles in which I have served, I have strong skills in working with others on a "team" like the school board. I have the confidence to express my honest opinions on subjects of discussion, and to openly listen to the opinions of others. I have strong skills in financial management, and 12 years of experience on the school board and district finance committee.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
Our district is currently in the midst of a $93 million bond project, so one priority will be to help see this project through to its completion. The district is currently in a solid financial position, and a second priority will be to work with our district administration to maintain our fiscal health. Finally, our district was recently ranked # 1 in the state on reading and math test scores, and a third priority will be to continue to strive for this high standard of educational excellence.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
Currently, our board works each year with our superintendent, administrative staff, and principals to look for ways to trim or tighten our budget, trying to anticipate and avoid the impact of possible revenue declines. I would continue to work as one member of the finance committee and the school board, together with the administrative team, to set a budget based on the anticipated revenue and to regularly (at our monthly board meetings) review and oversee our income and expenditures.
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
Our school board is regularly updated on the gaps in test scores based on racial and/or economic disparities. Under the direction of our assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, and with the input of principals and teachers, we are constantly working on ways to close those gaps. The current state program providing free breakfast & lunch for all school students is a key piece in reducing economic disparity, and I would advocate for the continuance of that program which benefits so many.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Whenever large decisions are being made in our district, from the redesign of the high school, to the naming of our schools, to the programs being offered, our school board and administration already seek comment from and consult with teacher and parent groups. We listen to their questions and concerns, and we receive their input and ideas on how best to proceed with the project at hand. I would continue to advocate for and encourage this practice of constructive community involvement.
Biographical Information
Campaign Email
r.kahnke@mchsi.com
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
I am the right person at the right time: I am a reading specialist and the Westonka School District is implementing the READ Act. I have worked extensively with students from the district, one-on-one, and am in ongoing conversation with their parents. I am in a unique position to provide input on their needs and concerns. I am passionate about literacy and getting all our students reading at grade level. Our school district has had great success putting the READ Act in place. We are highly ranked for reading and math. And there is more to be done. We are at a critical point in our history, with artificial intelligence already here. It is imperative we teach our students to read, write, and think to the best of their abilities.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
Assess:
1. Reassess the role of technology in the classroom and its place in the learning environment, particularly in the elementary and middle grades. Are we using technology most effectively? How can we best serve our students’ needs?
Communicate:
2. Engage with parents and teachers about reading best practices and how the district is implementing them. Change is best achieved with consensus among teachers and parents.
Teach:
3. Continue implementation of the READ Act with rigor.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
My strategy would be to identify what’s most crucial to our students’ learning and thriving, and preserve those things. We need to make sure our teachers and students have what they need before anything else. Additionally, what can we harness from our great community? Can we implement volunteers to fill gaps that arise? Thinking broadly and creatively is my approach. As in our own lives, we must think, how can we make the most of what we have?
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
I believe every student is created equal, and would strive to ensure that race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background do not impact or hinder any student’s ability to thrive in our schools. Westonka should be a district where the content of our students’ character is what matters. We need to approach our students as both parts of the broad student body and as unique individuals, and meet individual needs as best we can.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Everyone does better when they are heard and respected. First, I would encourage residents to attend board meetings, and/or observe the recordings online. Second, I would organize specific opportunities to meet both with teachers and with parents. It is up to us as citizens to stay abreast of what’s going on in our district, but structured opportunities help. The more we come together and hear one another out in a respectful and civil manner, the better off we are.
Biographical Information
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
Having 16 years experience as a school board member gives me the background to continue to move Westonka school in the right direction. My relationship with School administration and staff is one of trust and respect. This means respecting all opinions and doing what is right for teaching and education. My goal is to make sure the tools are there so every student ahs the opportunity to succeed.
I take great pride in being involved in all aspects of Westonka schools; from School board to coaching sports ;running youth clubs and being on several School Board committees.( policy, facilities, Teacher negotiations, Teaching and Learning committee and Community Education Advisory Council.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
If re-elected my top 3 priorities would be :
1) Complete the Bond work and the remodeling of schools and sports facilities.
2) Continue to work on and complete The Strategic Priorities plan Westonka schools to give the pathway for future continued school success
3) Continue to build upon student achievement through making sure curriculum meets the standards for every students success.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
Budgets are something that is constantly being looked at.
Having a strong financial committee and Administration helps to avoid large scale cuts. The key is to avoid raising class size by cutting staff. Each year revenues and looked at you need to look at when expenses can cut. It may mean re-negotiating insurance contracts or who we use for our copier service. there are allot of variables to look at depending on how deep the cuts need to be.
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
It is the goal of the School Board ,Administration and teachers the we work to to make sure every student has the opportunity to succeed and feels welcomed. This is why you develop a curriculum to support the students and have programs like Free and Reduced meals, Tutoring ,Native American Advisory group, MTSS and being part of theWestonka healthy Collaboration Partner. These programs and more are in place in to help people be aware and understand disparities that exist.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
The one thing I am proud of in our schools is the Transparency that we work hard to have with our families and teachers. We use discussion groups and committees to get input from the community and Westonka staff as decisions are made. These ideas are then used to help arrive at decisions that will be beneficial to our community, staff and students. Teamwork is always important in the ddecision process.