ISD #11 School Board Member District 4 Choose 1
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: Voting Local Matters: Why Vote for School Board | League of Women VotersWatch the candidate forum recorded on September 10, 2025, here.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)
Candidate has not yet responded.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Candidate has not yet responded.
Biographical Information
telephone
612-363-9247
Contact Phone
612-363-9247
Facebook (Full URL)
http://www.facebook.com/abbeypayeurforschoolboard
Campaign Email
abbeypayeurforschoolboard@gmail.com
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
I’ve spent the last twenty years working in education as a teacher, leader, and professor. Since I know the system inside and out, I’m the right person to guide the district in long-term planning, budgeting, supporting teachers, and keeping our public schools strong. As a mom of 3 - a preschooler, middle schooler, and high schooler, I care about ensuring that our schools are student-centered, relevant, and joyful at all levels. I have a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction and also work on a dyslexia research project at the University of MN - these experiences make me an asset to the board and will help us work together to improve educational outcomes. Voting for Abbey Payeur is a vote for strong, effective, well-managed schools.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
I will bring stability to our board that has been tumultuous and ineffective. Extreme political talking points must be left outside the board room door, and we must focus on the challenges our schools actually face and make decisions that truly put kids first. I will work hard to strengthen the district’s plan to improve academics. If foundational skills are strong in elementary schoolers, secondary teachers can focus on analysis, critical thinking and application of their complex content.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
I will avoid putting additional stress on students and teachers by ensuring cuts don’t increase class size. I am also interested in exploring grant funding and business partnerships to cover budget gaps. Creative solutions, such as grouping bus stops, could keep similar levels of service with just a bit of sacrifice to cut costs. Let’s couple fiscal responsibility with out-of-the-box thinking to ensure we have high-quality programming and well-maintained buildings for our students and staff.
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
Serving all students well means that schools are safe, joyful and opportunity rich. It is worth investing in early childhood and support programs that lift up struggling families. If a parent had a poor school experience, they may not feel well-connected to their child’s school, so we must work to change that. Effective schools do this by welcoming families as partners, allowing the ideas and contributions of the whole community, and by having open communication between teachers and parents.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Parents & teachers play key roles in helping the board make effective decisions. I plan to take their input through advisory boards, family surveys, and public forums. Parents and students are the district’s “customers” and their input is an important guide. As a board member, I will visit schools regularly. I will always treat teachers and district leaders as the experts they are and support the decisions they collectively reach when it comes to curriculum, textbook, and standards adoption.