EP School candidates for Nov. 2 special election featured as early voting continues

Five candidates are running in the Nov. 2 special election to fill a single open seat on the Eden Prairie School Board.

Questionnaires were sent to each candidate and their answers are presented by EPLN as a public service. Click on the candidate’s name to read their replies.

Candidates are: Steve Bartz, Albert Born, Michelle Mattison, Francesca Pagan-Umar and Darryl Stanton.

The special election was made necessary by the resignation of Veronica Stoltz in May when her family left Minnesota. Former board member Karla Bratrud was selected to fill Stoltz’s seat until the special election. The winner of the Nov. 2 election will assume the seat immediately.

The League of Women Voters of Minnetonka/Eden Prairie/Hopkins will host a candidate forum from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29. The event will not include a live audience, according to Jenifer Prince, forum chair. Questions should be submitted to lwvmeph.org.

The forum will be streamed live on EPTV at edenprairie.org/CityTV and Facebook.com/CityOfEdenPrairie. A video link will be posted on the organization’s website after the event.

Early voting began Sept. 17. Voters can cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays until Nov. 2 at the Administrative Services Center, 8100 School Road.

Steve Bartz

Please provide some personal background.

My name is Steve Bartz. I am 48 years old and am a 17-year resident of Eden Prairie. My wife, Traci, and I have been blessed with three kids, Luke, Ella and Evelin. Our son, Luke, is a 2021 graduate of EPHS, now attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and our twin daughters, Ella and Evelin, are juniors at EPHS.

From the time we moved to Eden Prairie in 2004, our family has been active in Eden Prairie Schools and the community. I have served in the schools as a parent volunteer in the classroom, at the Eden Lake school carnival, as a chaperone on field trips, and as a speaker in the EPHS careers class. I have been a long-time head or assistant coach from grade school into high school for a variety of my kid’s sports teams, including the EP Soccer Association and EP Soccer Club, and the EP girls’ and boys’ basketball associations.

I am active in my church, Grace Church of Eden Prairie, having served in the Awana program and youth ministries, as a Sunday school teacher, and in Grace’s Big Serve community outreach ministry. I will be co-leading a men’s Bible study this fall.

Professionally, I work as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from Minot State University and a master’s degree in anesthesia science from the Minneapolis School of Anesthesia. I work in the Anesthesia Department at Methodist Hospital, where I have been employed for the last 19 years. I have also worked as a private contractor, providing anesthesia services in greater Minnesota.

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board?

As a 17-year resident of Eden Prairie, I think I have a good sense of what our community values, wants and expects from our schools. I feel uniquely qualified for a seat on the board because of the insight and experience I have gained and the relationships I have formed as an involved parent of kids in our schools, as well as my record of service in the community. I have the courage to ask tough questions and a desire to listen, learn and engage with others. I am results-driven and hard-working. As a healthcare provider with over 20 years of experience in the areas of critical care and anesthesia, my career has been devoted to delivering the highest level of care and making important decisions in the most critical of circumstances. The experience I have working on teams, coordinating plans, communicating and collaborating across multiple disciplines and specialties to achieve optimal results will be of great value to the board.

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate? 

There are a number of values and qualities that are important. But the following, in my view, stand out: trustworthiness, honesty, courage, leadership, objectivity/fair-mindedness and being an engaged listener.  

Why should Eden Prairie voters choose you for the school board rather than other candidates?

I am not running my campaign on a single issue. I was compelled to run for the open school board seat because serving is important to me. A motto I embrace is, “Do what you can, when you can, where you can.” Contributing my time and talents on the school board is a fitting next step for me in my effort to do this. As I mentioned above, I have a good sense of what our community values, wants and expects from our schools. Placing your vote for a school board candidate is about trust … trusting in someone to be a representative for you and your family. I am the candidate you can trust to keep Eden Prairie Schools leading and learning and focused on our main objective, our students. I will work hard as your trusted representative to listen and advocate on your behalf.

COVID-19 rates are increasing once again in Eden Prairie and Hennepin County. What do you believe are the key factors in Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year, and why (e.g., mask mandates and/or vaccine mandates for staff and students, other)?

Navigating the pandemic will continue to be one of our biggest challenges as a district. Our superintendent and his administrative staff have done an excellent job in steering our schools through very turbulent waters. Through the pandemic, our district was a leader in the number of “in-school” days for our students. We also had one of the lowest number of “quarantined classrooms” in the state. A detailed plan was recently communicated to school families, informing them of how the district can best keep each student in the classroom for the 2021-2022 school year. I agree with our administration’s decision to not impose a vaccine mandate. I believe an individual’s decisions and information surrounding their health is personal and private and must be respected. In regard to the mask requirement for K-6, I understand the relevance behind the decision – that children under the eligible age (12) to receive a COVID-19 vaccination stand the best chance of staying in school and avoiding classroom quarantines due to direct exposure if masks are worn. As a healthcare worker having to wear a mask all day, every day, I sympathize with those who oppose the K-6 mask rules. I understand the importance of our kids “seeing” each other’s faces, their expressions, and smiles.  Keeping our perspective is key in what I see as the main goal of the current guidelines – keeping each child and staff member engaged and in person, in school and being flexible and willing to pivot our position in a safe and responsible manner as it relates to guidelines set forth in the Safe Learning Plan.

The school board recently decided not to pursue an operating fund levy referendum this year. What is your position on such a referendum in the future, and why?

I am aware of the 2021-2022 budget numbers that reveal the likelihood of increasing deficits over the next five years. As a proponent of quality education and fiscal responsibility, if elected, I would welcome discussions involving such a referendum, and the sooner we do this, the better. New referendums require a long runway. I think the board made the right decision by not rushing to put a referendum on the ballot of an off-year special election. Forward-thinking and community engagement will be essential as the board devises a plan to tackle the expiring operating referendums and offer solutions to ensure each of our students is in a fully-funded, right-sized and equipped classroom with highly skilled teachers and support staff. Whether you have kids in school now, starting a family, enjoying single life or retirement, we are all taxpaying stakeholders. We need to be certain that the board is being a good steward with the investments we are making in our schools, in that we are reaching the Ends policies and goals of the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan.  

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why?

Priority one is to keep our students, teachers, administrators and support staff safe, healthy and “in” school, engaging and interacting in the school community.  

Secondly, it will be imperative for our administration and board to be flexible and nimble-thinking, willing to pivot their positions in a safe and responsible manner as it relates to our Safe Learning Plan and the ever-changing data and guidelines related to pandemic.

Lastly, there is a saying that I think simplifies the priorities for our schools: let’s keep the “main thing” the “main thing.” We need to stay student-focused, intentional and impactful with our investment in the district’s Strategic Plan, making certain each student is inspired to learn and reach their full potential. We can accomplish this by creating a positive and supportive culture in each of our school buildings, where each student feels a sense of belonging and community. 

What will it mean to you personally if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board?

It would be both humbling and exciting. So much time, work and energy go into a campaign in hopes that the message resonates with the community. I am aware of the demands of this position and the expectation to get “up to speed” swiftly with the board’s policies, language and governance. This will be a humbling experience, but I am ready for the challenge. If elected, I will be excited to work alongside our superintendent and board members, who I feel are a talented and dedicated group. 

How can interested voters learn more about your candidacy?

I am working to get my campaign website up and running, and my Facebook page, facebook.com/SteveforEP, is still in its infancy.

Email: stevebartzforep@gmail.com

Albert Born

Please provide some personal background.

My name is Albert Born, candidate for Eden Prairie School Board. I’ve lived in Eden Prairie with my wife and three children for four years. All three of my children go to Eden Prairie schools. I am a salesman at Guitar Center in Bloomington. I am also a sound engineer and consultant, a music teacher and a self-employed musician. I grew up in Madison, Wis. I went to college at the University of Minnesota-Minneapolis, where I earned a degree in aerospace engineering and mechanics.

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board?

I have many years successfully working with the public and teaching. Working in sales has taught me to be a great communicator. I am never afraid to ask questions and always eager to listen. As an engineer, I’ve learned to solve difficult problems and stay focused. I can think from different angles to resolve problems when tensions arise. As a teacher, I have learned what works for kids and what doesn’t. I am passionate about teaching the next generation. As a musician, I know it takes hard work and patience to achieve your goal. I’ve worked with people from many different cultures, backgrounds and languages. It is always exciting to learn from each other.

I also have great support from my family. We are always interested in what is happening in the community. We like to volunteer at the school and other community events and programs. Staying informed and involved is important to us. We enjoy being a part of the community and being out and about in Eden Prairie.

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate?

To understand the process. To listen to parents, teachers, students and the community. To be fair to all. To be able to think clearly, see the whole picture and have common sense. To be positive and come up with solutions to solve problems. To be proactive.

Why should Eden Prairie voters choose you for the school board rather than other candidates?

I am a dad with three kids in the Eden Prairie school system. I understand how the school board works. I like to be involved and be a positive force. I see the importance and impact the school board has on the school system and community. I will help shape and improve the educational development of our greatest Eden Prairie asset – the children.

COVID-19 rates are increasing once again in Eden Prairie and Hennepin County. What do you believe are the key factors in Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year, and why (e.g., mask mandates and/or vaccine mandates for staff and students, other)?

Follow up-to-date science and valid data. Listen to the community.

The school board recently decided not to pursue an operating fund levy referendum this year. What is your position on such a referendum in the future, and why?

Part of the school board’s job is to make sure we have proper funding and to not spend money foolishly. Before asking the community for more money, we first need to look at the budget and see if there are better ways to balance it. It is unfair to ask for more money because of poor money management.

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why?

Make decisions based on facts and common sense. Not political bias or the popular trend. Too many school boards are falling prey to media bias and politics of the day. We need to stay focused on educating the children and not indoctrinating them.

Listen to parents, teachers and students. Be approachable. I think many people find it difficult to speak with the school board and get straight answers to their questions, problems or issues. They also have a difficult time understanding the process. We need to make it easier and have more visibility.

Better nutrition and fitness at our schools. School lunches and breakfasts are not that great. We need to fix it. We also need to find better ways to teach our kids about nutrition and fitness and its importance. 

What will it mean to you personally if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board?

I know that I can make a difference. I want our future generations to grow beyond our wildest dreams and make a positive impact on this Earth. I want people to be impressed when they find out Eden Prairie was where they grew up and went to school. This is the place to be!

How can interested voters learn more about your candidacy?

Email: VoteAlbertBorn@gmail.com

Michelle Mattison

Please provide some personal background.

She/Her pronouns. I am originally from Detroit, Mich. (Detroit proper, born and raised). This is my second time living in Eden Prairie; once from 2016-2018 and recently relocated back in November 2020. I live with my husband and three children: ages 2, 4, and 6. Professionally, I am a clinical social worker for children with severe emotional disturbances and adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMIs). I absolutely love what I do and hope to have a life-long career in serving our community with their needs. 

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board?

I explain my qualifications in three tiers: mother and social worker. 

As a mother of three young boys, two with autism, I understand the importance of advocating for various needs simultaneously and how rigorous it is. As our family learns to navigate this diagnosis, we continuously experience new challenges and joys that other parents in the district face. This component of motherhood empowers me to advocate for the needs that our EP families haven’t quite articulated, or resources that they could benefit from to support their child. 

As a social worker, I am governed by a body of ethics that I maintain in my professional identity as an advocate to support the well-being of “the whole person.” I have worked in community mental health agencies, local and Michigan government roles, hospitals and more. Most of my volunteer work has been focused on transitional age youth and getting them connected to resources to stabilize undesirable circumstances. This is the most important piece of experience I bring to my candidacy because my heart is truly invested in better outcomes for our youth.

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate?

It is imperative for school board candidates to fully understand the objective content of an issue/concern, then be able to identify and reflect on its impact. There will be several challenges to negotiate and advocate for the students’ optimal outcome. However, candidates should remain open to understanding the issues fully.

COVID-19 rates are increasing once again in Eden Prairie and Hennepin County. What do you believe are the key factors in Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year, and why (e.g., mask mandates and/or vaccine mandates for staff and students, other)?

Our community’s ability to change and adapt without proper notice is continuously tested by COVID urgencies. I believe that the key factors will be our district’s focus on replicating other success rates in other communities. This means we should assess what was done to accomplish those rates and if they can be implemented within EP successfully. I support mask mandates for all students because many of our households are mixed with children of different ages and schools.

The school board recently decided not to pursue an operating fund levy referendum this year. What is your position on such a referendum in the future, and why?

I think that the levy referendum should be reconsidered, as most of our EP community members would be willing to support this approach, and it would set the district up for long-term financial stability. I also believe that it should be proposed with a clear path that delineates what target areas of impact will be secured.

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why?

Mental health – Our students and their families are still processing the pandemic and need additional support. This priority is very important to me because I see how our children in this state have navigated the last almost two years while silently hurting, or needing mental health advocacy to no avail. I think some specific mental health areas to address in our school systems are impacts of divorce, grief or loss of a parent or close family member, culturally sensitive mental health frameworks. 

Racial equity – As a social worker, much of my work is rooted in teaching from an anti-racist lens and promoting racial equity in all spaces. I partner with organizations on various levels to teach about racial trauma and allyship. Our district is tasked with equipping our children with the skills to thrive in the 21st century and racial equity is a major component.

Integrated supports – I am advocating for families to have a transition team when they relocate into or away from EP School Districts to successfully adapt with ease. It would be helpful to centralize the resources for families and integrate as many opportunities as possible.

What will it mean to you personally if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board?

It would mean that our community trusts me to deliver on my leadership and that is something I take very seriously. I am a person of my strengths, but the stakeholders (our children, families and staff) should be the key voices in our district. If I am elected, I will uphold that value and work to deliver the results that keep our students first.

How can interested voters learn more about your candidacy?

Website: MattisonCampaign.com

Email: MCMCampaign@gmail.com

Francesca Pagan-Umar

Please provide some personal background.

My name is Francesca Pagan-Umar, and I am a teacher by profession. I’ve been married for 18 years to my amazing husband, Muhammad. We have three amazing children, all of them in Eden Prairie Public Schools, ranging from preschool to high school. My family has lived in Eden Prairie for the past three and a half years.  

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board?

I am a teacher by profession. I taught children with special needs in one of the most challenging districts in our country: New York City public schools. I began teaching in 1998; did my bachelor’s in forensic psychology, and my master’s work in general and special education, with a focus on early childhood literacy. My teaching experiences include being a classroom teacher, science teacher, literacy teacher, and lead of an early childhood education program. I’ve worked with students in general ed and special ed, including students on the autism spectrum, as well as students with emotional and psychological challenges that significantly impact their learning. I want to bring my knowledge and experience to the benefit and growth of our district. 

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate?

Valuing public education is essential for anyone who will make decisions for our public schools. Having a passion for learning, and a background in education are also important. Especially after the last 18 months our students have had, they need board members that know what best supports their learning and achievement, to ensure every student can thrive.  

Why should Eden Prairie voters choose you for the school board rather than other candidates?

Last November, more than 9,000 Eden Prairie residents voted for me, for which I am grateful. They supported me because of my experiences as a teacher and parent and my passion for public education. I’m the only candidate with a teaching background. As a diverse person with a mixed-race background, I understand the importance of representation. 47.2% of our students identify as non-white. Electing me to the school board would help ensure everyone has a seat at the table, and that every voice can be heard.

COVID-19 rates are increasing once again in Eden Prairie and Hennepin County. What do you believe are the key factors in Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year, and why (e.g., mask mandates and/or vaccine mandates for staff and students, other)?

Our district successfully maintained in-person learning most of last year while keeping students and staff safe, because of our outstanding effort using expert guidance to inform prevention methods. We utilized guidance from the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education, weekly case-rate statistics from Hennepin County, and our superintendent created a Covid Task Force to use this changing information to guide our response efforts, adjusting them up or down based on the local situation. To maintain in-person learning this year, it is essential that our district continues to follow guidance from the Minnesota Departments of Health and Education, along with information from local experts, and adjusts our risk mitigation response accordingly. Our schools should continue the extra cleaning and sanitizing measures that prevented outbreaks last year. Students and staff should stay home when sick, frequently wash and sanitize hands, wear a face mask, social distance, get vaccinated if they choose, and test regularly.  

The school board recently decided not to pursue an operating fund levy referendum this year. What is your position on such a referendum in the future, and why?

If budgetary concerns arise, the board should instruct the district to look for ways to reduce expenses, look for efficiencies, and other ways to increase value. If this were not enough, then a levy should be considered, with guidance from finance and education experts, with input from stakeholders and the community.

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why?

Each student thrives: In order for our district to maintain success, each student must have the support they need to thrive. This includes added support for underperforming students; rigorous curricula that meet the needs of both typical and special education learners; social-emotional support, especially in light of the last 18 months; and access to advanced coursework be made available to each student. Best practices like this, that are backed by research, and have been found effective in districts like ours, should be prioritized.

Bring everyone to the table: 47.2% of our students are non-white, and we have a large and vibrant Muslim-American student body, both of whom lack representation on our board. Diversity is our superpower. When people from different backgrounds come together, problem-solving benefits from their diverse perspectives, and is reflected in decision-making that better meets the needs of the whole community.

Commitment to service: It is essential for the success of our schools that board members are committed to serving our community, and not personal beliefs or political agendas. The learning needs of students should be prioritized in board policy and, therefore, also the workplace needs of teachers. I am committed to serving, as is demonstrated by the years I spent in the Army ROTC, as a Girl Scout troop leader, and volunteering in our schools and community.

What will it mean to you personally if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board?

It is an opportunity to serve the people of Eden Prairie, and to bring my education and experience to the benefit of our students and teachers.  

How can interested voters learn more about your candidacy?

On the Web:
www.Francesca4EP.com
www.Facebook.com/Francesca4EP

Email: Francesca4EP@gmail.com

Phone: (612) 888-3220

Mail:
Francesca for Eden Prairie Schools
P.O. Box 44974
Eden Prairie, MN 55347

Darryl Stanton

Please provide some personal background.

My wife and I have lived in Eden Prairie for 26 years. We have a son who attends Eden Prairie High School and is an honors student, a member of the Eden Prairie Historical Society, and a member of the football team. Let’s GO, Eagle Nation!! 

I am a small business owner. I earned a basketball scholarship to attend Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), a cum laude graduate with a double major: bachelor’s degrees in business administration and management & sociology. I received the Celebrate Southwest State Award for contributions to Southwest State University and community. I was inducted into PI Gamma Mu International Honors Society for Social Sciences.  

What experience and qualifications do you bring to your candidacy for Eden Prairie School Board?

I currently serve on Eden Prairie Schools’ “World’s Best Workforce Committee” and am one of its longest-serving members. The committee was created by Minnesota State statute, and our goals are: All of our children are ready for school, all third graders can read at grade level, all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed, all students are ready for a career and college, all students graduate from high school.

I served on Eden Prairie Schools Strategic Planning Committee. 

Some of my professional opportunities include: created, developed and implemented SMSU’s first Multicultural Student Services Program, enrollment management at Hamline University College of Liberal Arts as director of multicultural admissions, and director of recruitment graduate school of public administration and management.     

Served on Eden Prairie Schools Curriculum Advisory Committee (name changed to World’s Best Workforce Committee).

I was elected and served two terms as president of the Minnesota Association of Counselors of Color (MNACC). MNACC, established in 1991, is a noncompetitive post-secondary collaborative dedicated to access to higher education for Minnesota students of color. 

Nominated four times as volunteer of the year for service to the students of Eden Prairie Schools.

Served 10 years as a youth basketball coach.

For five straight years, I organized a team comprised of Eden Prairie students to compete in the Minnesota State Rec. Championship. 

Received the City of Eden Prairie Human Rights Award.

What personal values and qualities do you believe are especially important for a school board candidate?

A dedication to serve, not for personal or political gain, but for the love of humanity and betterment of community.

Creative thinking skills. 

Strong work ethic, taught to me by my grandmother, father and mother, who all survived the Great Depression. They told me, “always work hard and keep your nose to the grindstone.” I plan to keep my nose to the grindstone for Eden Prairie Schools. 

The ability to work collaboratively to address and solve problems.

The ability to listen as well as hear.

I learned from the late, great Eden Prairie Mayor Jean Harris, who I considered a mentor and friend, to “never stop working hard. If you fail, try again.”   

Why should Eden Prairie voters choose you for the school board rather than other candidates?

I will continue the work to ensure all of our children are ready for school, all third graders can read at grade level, all racial and economic achievement gaps between students are closed, all students are ready for a career and college, all students graduate from high school.  

I will continue on my 26-year journey of service to our community and Eden Prairie Schools with or without the title of school board member. However, I believe as an elected school board member, I would be able to help Eden Prairie Schools achieve its stated goals for all students. 

I had the honor and privilege to read to Eden Prairie School Students six straight years (K- 5) at my son’s elementary school during their lunchtime. One parent said to me, “You are a one-man Read-A-Thon!”

Served as a member of the City of Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission.

I have spent numerous hours in the classroom as a volunteer to help with various projects such as setting up a fact-based mini-library for students, a fact-based hallway of black history information during Black History Month, and did a reenactment of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech,” with full class participation. 

My oldest brother was a dedicated teacher. He loved teaching his students at his high school alma mater. He even taught on days he had kidney dialysis treatments. He had enough years to have retired, but he loved teaching so much he refused. One day while teaching his class and writing on the whiteboard, he had a heart attack and died in front of his students. It was a devastating day for his school community and our family. I share this story with you because he is the epitome of a teacher, always willing to sacrifice for the betterment of their students. 

As a volunteer, I bore witness to the intellectual fitness, dedication and hard work Eden Prairie School teachers and staff put in to inspire our students every day. I will work hard to continue to ensure they have the resources to continue their mission to prepare every student to succeed.  

COVID-19 rates are increasing once again in Eden Prairie and Hennepin County. What do you believe are the key factors in Eden Prairie Schools’ management of COVID-19 for the 2021-22 school year, and why (e.g., make mandates and/or vaccine mandates for staff and students, other)?

I believe we must listen to the experts in infectious diseases, such as the scientists and doctors from the CDC and the MDH, who are saying the new Delta mutation comprises 99% of new COVID-19 cases and is more contagious. I personally wear a mask in public to protect my family and others in the community. Our immediate family has been fully vaccinated. So, if experts say wearing of a mask, a vaccination, and social distancing are going to save the precious lives of our children, teachers, staff and people in our community, I will support it.    

The school board recently decided not to pursue an operating fund levy referendum this year. What is your position on such a referendum in the future, and why?  

My position on such a future referendum is that it must be planned properly, demonstrate the needs to our community stakeholders, work collaboratively as a school board, the process must be fully transparent to all stakeholders.   

What are your top three priorities for Eden Prairie Schools, and why? 

With so many unknowns due to COVID-19 and short- and long-term ramifications, the following are just the tip of the COVID-19 iceberg of priorities:

• Restorative learning action plan: For achievement gap students, special needs students and students that do not fall under either category. We must put together a strategic plan to address learning needs of these students falling behind due to COVID-19. The studies have shown more students are falling behind due to the pandemic.

• Achievement gap: Our students who continue to fall behind into achievement gap are at higher risk to drop out of high school, not seek post-secondary choices, and thus shackled to low-wage jobs their entire lives.

• Mental health: Due to COVID-19, the mental health of our students, teachers and school community are under extreme duress. We must take an all-hands-on-deck approach to deal with the short- and long-term effects that this insidious virus is having on the mental health of the Eden Prairie school community.   

What will it mean to you personally if you are elected to the Eden Prairie School Board?

My service to our community of Eden Prairie has never been about me personally; it will mean I will have been afforded the opportunity to continue to serve my beloved community and continue to strive to help improve the lives of others. 

How can interested voters learn more about your candidacy?

Website: www.stanton4people.com

Email: stanton4people@aol.com

Phone: 952-240-3200

Editor’s note: This story was updated Sept.23 to include additional information about the League of Women Voters forum.