ISD #11 School Board Member District 6 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
Facebook (Full URL)
http://www.facebook.com/jeffsimonschoolboard
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
My 12+ years’ experience serving on this board is especially important at this moment with our current budget cuts, contract negotiations, implementing new literacy curriculum & student & staff safety initiatives which includes a pilot at CRMS that I championed, and has been a huge success that I’m hopeful will become a model for all middle schools.
Outside of my board service, my experience in our district & community has always been about service and includes:
- Hoover Elementary PTO
- AH District Task Force
- Coon Creek Watershed District
- Little League Baseball & Youth Basketball Coach
- VP & Treasurer for CRHS Boys Basketball & Alpine Ski Boosters
For me, this is about service, not politics.
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
We need to stay focused on our district’s mission, ‘to effectively educate each of our students for success” and our strategic priorities including academic achievement in literacy and staff & student safety. Beyond those goals, it's important to be thoughtful about a long-term roadmap for continuous improvement, and setting this type of vision takes experience. I am very confident that my experience serving for over 12 years will benefit our board, our district, and our community.
If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)
We have been forced to cut the budget and will need to continue next year. The priority has been to keep cuts away from schools and classrooms wherever possible. We have been successful in that the vast majority of cuts have come from our central office. Bringing principals and teachers into the discussion has helped create priorities to keep cuts away from the classroom including keep lowest class sizes possible, keep support for literacy, and keep support for student and staff safety.
How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)
We are focused on our mission "to educate EACH of our students for success". This includes students struggling academically/school readiness/mental health, students in poverty, special education students, and advanced students. All students have needs, and we have created pathways, systems, and programs to meet these needs. We need to continuously improve in these and all areas. For example, students struggling with school readiness will now have a new K-3 program a new MS program.
Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)
Engagement and communication are important in public education as our schools are community schools. We have systems in place for important decision including boundaries, budget cuts, and curriculum that involves all stakeholder (teachers & parents). These systems are robust and take the time to truly understand stakeholder voice before coming to a final decision. Beyond our district's efforts, I personally proactively connect with teachers and parents in District 6 on a weekly basis.
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.