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VOTE411 Voter Guide

ISD #742 School Board Member at Large {_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!

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    Al Dahlgren
    (NP)

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    Sonia Eizenhoefer
    (NP)

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    Robert W. Galler, Jr.
    (NP)

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    Vincent Miles
    (NP)

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    Steven D. Schiller
    (NP)

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    Heather Weems
    (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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As a District 742 parent, clinical psychologist, and local small business owner of 12+ years, I offer a distinct blend of human-centered leadership and fiscal discipline. My wife and I are proud 742 parents with a son in Chinese Immersion at Madison Elementary, giving me a direct personal stake in our district. Through my doctorate in clinical psychology and extensive nonprofit board service, I have spent my career solving complex human problems, listening across differences, and building collaborative teams. I bring a practical, compassionate perspective that focuses on supporting our educators, investing in mental health and student well-being, and ensuring every child has the resources to thrive from early childhood to graduation.
1) Whole-Child Well-Being: Expanding mental health support, early intervention, and well-being resources so every student is ready to learn. 2) Educator Support & Retention: Creating a collaborative environment where teachers and staff feel valued, supported, and included in decision-making. 3) Equitable Stewardship: Allocating district resources transparently to bridge opportunity gaps, maintain infrastructure, and prepare students for career, college, and community life.
Listen first, then my strategy supports collaborative stewardship that protects direct classroom learning and student-facing staff. Drawing on my small business background, I would analyze administrative overhead and operational efficiencies before touching classroom resources. Budget decisions must be guided by equity and transparency - engaging educators, staff, and families in open dialogue so tough choices prioritize student safety, mental health, and direct instructional support.
Addressing educational disparities requires tackling upstream contributors like early learning gaps, health, and family stability. Solutions cannot be top-down; we must increase parent communication and actively partner with families - especially underrepresented voices - in co-designing solutions. By combining whole-child support, equitable funding, and authentic family engagement, we ensure every student, regardless of race or income, receives the support needed to thrive.
Leadership requires active listening, not just sitting behind a nameplate. I will host listening sessions, maintain an accessible open-door policy, and proactively seek input from families and educators before policies reach the board table. Families are primary partners in education; I will ensure communication is transparent and welcoming. By valuing diverse perspectives, without viewing input as "winners and losers", we build authentic trust and make stronger decisions together.
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