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VOTE411 Voter Guide

ISD #199 School Board Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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-boardIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info (https://candidates.sos.mn.gov/). If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from LWVMN!Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 22, 2026.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Shana Dukes
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Sarah Larsen
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Amy Reynertson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Michael Wakefield
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

If forced to cut the budget in the face of declining revenues, what would be your strategy? (500 characters)

How would you address any racial and economic disparities in our education system? (500 characters)

Please describe how you will engage teachers and families in your decision making process. (500 characters)

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I believe I am the best candidate for the ISD 199 School Board because I am a lifelong Inver Grove Heights resident, parent, former employee, and longtime volunteer in our schools. My children are the third generation of my family to attend Inver Grove schools and the fourth generation to call this community home. I spend many hours volunteering at our schools seeing the day-to-day experiences of students, teachers, and staff. I also have years of experience as a volunteer treasurer for school-affiliated nonprofits, giving me experience with budgeting, stewardship, and responsible decision-making. Most importantly, I care deeply about our students, educators, and community and want to help our schools continue to grow and succeed.
My top three priorities if elected are: fiscal responsibility, teacher retention, and technology use in our schools. We must be prudent & thoughtful managers of taxpayer dollars, building trust with our community so they continue to support our schools as needs arise. We need to better understand what support teachers need to stay and thrive in ISD 199. Finally, we should evaluate how technology is being used in our schools, as many schools nationwide are cutting back on screen time.
I would make it a priority to have a complete and clear understanding of the financial situation and work to make sure any cuts are based on the data available. I would work to keep cuts as far away from affecting students as possible, prioritizing the classroom experience and student support. When difficult decisions are necessary, I believe we need to be transparent and always keep our students at the center of every resolution.
I’d start by truly listening to students, families, and educators to understand where inequities show up in their daily experiences. Using that feedback, along with district data, would help reveal where access, support, or resources fall short. From there, I’d focus on practical changes—removing barriers, strengthening academic support, and directing resources where they’re most needed—so every student feels seen, supported, and has the opportunity to succeed.
I would engage teachers and families in my decision-making by being present, available, and ready to listen. As a lifelong resident and active member of our schools and community, I have already had the opportunity to get to know many families, teachers, and community members. I would continue showing up to events and advocate for the board to truly listen to our teachers, families, and community—especially when important decisions are being made.
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