School Board election is for four full-term seats, one special two-year seat
They say good schools are the backbone of a community. On Nov. 8, our community will have the chance to ensure Eden Prairie’s remain strong, when voters will select five candidates to join the board, or continue to serve.
The school board shapes the strategic direction of our district. It sets high-level goals, then the superintendent administers the board’s vision. The board also hires the superintendent, approves the budget, and makes sure that our schools are spending wisely and are financially sound.
Voters will be asked to fill five open board seats for terms beginning January 2023. School board terms are staggered so the seven-member board is never replaced all at once.
Four of these seats are for four-year terms. The fifth seat is for a special, shorter term of two years. The person elected to this seat will serve the remaining two years left on the term of a school board member who resigned in September 2021.
We hope you will read the candidates’ profiles and responses to EPLN’s questions and consider: Are they qualified to serve on the school board? Do you agree with their positions? Do you feel their goals and plans will best serve our students, staff, and community?
We encourage you to visit the candidates’ websites to learn more about their views, values, and visions. If you haven’t voted already, head to the polls on Nov. 8 to help choose board members you think will best serve our public schools.
Position: Eden Prairie School Board Member (4-year position)
Candidates for the 4-year position
– Steve Bartz (incumbent)
– Aaron Casper (incumbent)
– Debjyoti “DD” Dwivedy (incumbent)
– Abby Libsack
– Francesca Pagan-Umar (incumbent)
– Jody Ward-Rannow
JOB POSTING
In addition to seeking one executive who will fill a two-year, unexpired term, Eden Prairie is seeking four other executives who, for the next four years, will establish and monitor policies for Eden Prairie School District #272 in concert with fellow office holders (one vote each), but delegate administrative duties to the school superintendent. Executives who are hired to be part of the school board – typically called school board members – approve the district’s budget, monitor finances, hire a superintendent, and establish a strategic vision.
COMPENSATION
School board executives, who have two meetings per month, receive a stipend of $4,800 per year.
QUALIFICATIONS
A school board member must be at least 21 years old, an eligible voter, a district resident for at least 30 days, and not be a convicted sex offender.
ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS
The school board is composed of seven members, each of whom typically is elected for a four-year term. Terms are staggered, so that the entire board is not up for election at the same time. These are at-large representatives, not assigned to specific wards or areas of the Eden Prairie School District. This election differs in that four executives are being elected to four-year terms, and one executive is being elected to fill the remaining two years of a term for an executive who resigned in mid-term in September 2021.
Candidate Profiles (4-year)
These are the candidates running for a four year school board term. Click the candidate’s name to view each profile. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Incumbent
Bartz, 49, is an 18-year resident of Eden Prairie. He and his wife Traci have three kids. Their son is a 2021 graduate of EPHS, now attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and their daughters are seniors at EPHS. Elected in 2022, he currently is a director and treasurer of the Eden Prairie School Board. Bartz has served in our schools in the following ways: classroom and Eden Lake carnival volunteer; field trip chaperone; speaker at EPHS careers class round-table discussions; and job shadow host for students interested in the medical profession. He is a long-time coach from grade school into high school for a variety of his kids’ sports teams. He is active at Grace Church of Eden Prairie, having served in a variety of youth ministries and community outreach events, and will co-lead a men’s bible study again this fall. Professionally, he works as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in the Methodist Hospital anesthesia department, where he has been employed for 20 years. Additionally, he works part-time at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia, and has also provided contract anesthesia services in greater Minnesota.
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Incumbent
Casper is currently in his third year serving on the Eden Prairie School Board. He was treasurer for two years and now serves as vice-chair. Casper has been an Eden Prairie resident since 2003. He has been married to Lisa for 24 years, and they have four children: three college-age daughters and an eighth grade son attending CMS. All four children are products of Eden Prairie Schools and attended Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion program.
Casper has previously served as an Eden Prairie Community Foundation Finance Committee member, and Eden Prairie Fire Relief Association trustee, and past president. He’s currently in his 12th year on the Eden Prairie Fire Department as a duty crew firefighter, active in the Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary Club, and participates in the men’s ministry program at Grace Church, while continuing to coach in the Eden Prairie youth basketball and football associations.
Professionally, he has worked as an insurance benefits consultant since 1998 for a firm working almost exclusively in the public sector. He works with K-12 superintendents, finance directors, and human resource professionals throughout the state. Casper holds Series 6 and 65 securities licenses and has completed the Certified Financial Planner certificate program through Minnesota State University. He earned a B.A. degree in political science from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Incumbent
Dwivedy was elected to the Eden Prairie School Board in 2019 and serves as its clerk. His civilian occupation is system lead for Network Security & Solutions Engineering, Federal Reserve National IT. He also has an Army career, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves after a previous enlistment and service as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He is a member of Eden Prairie A.M. Rotary. His other volunteer activities include: member of the Race Equity Advisory Commission Hennepin County; member of the Regent Candidate Advisory Council, University of Minnesota; and senior vice president, Policy & Strategic Affairs, for Immigration Voice. He has a B.S. degree in electronics and communication engineering and an M.S. degree in computer engineering (networking).
Libsack was raised in Missouri and also lived in Colorado and Georgia before moving to Eden Prairie in 2013. She and her husband, Syd, a 1998 Eden Prairie graduate, have two children: Carley, 12th grade; and Graham, eighth grade. Libsack has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State and a master’s in curriculum from the University of Colorado-Boulder. She taught fifth grade from 2002 to 2005, has been a private tutor, and served as a substitute teacher in the Eden Prairie Schools from 2016 to 2020. Libsack has been a classroom and field-trip volunteer, Eden Prairie High School Math Center volunteer, volunteer for school carnivals and fundraisers, volunteer team mom for baseball, Eden Prairie Volleyball Association board member, and volunteer photographer for school and sports events in Eden Prairie. She has operated a small business, Abby Libsack Photography, since 2010.
Incumbent
Pagan-Umar has been a director on the Eden Prairie School Board since December 2021 and a director on the Intermediate District 287 School Board since January 2022. She is the parent of three Eden Prairie students who are in kindergarten, seventh grade, and tenth grade. By occupation, she is a teacher in special education, general education, early childhood literacy, science, and science through literacy. She is co-founder of local nonprofit Inspire Community MN 501(c)(3).
Jody Ward-Rannow and husband, Mike, have two children: Emily, sixth grade; and Ben, third grade at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion (EHSI). They moved to Eden Prairie in 2012 for the schools.
For six years, she has been on the EHSI Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Board, and is currently the president. In this role she also participates in the PTO President’s Council and partners with other school PTOs. Last year, she was chair of the Spring Fling Committee for all fifth graders. She also holds leadership positions with Eden Prairie Girl Scouts.
Ward-Rannow earned her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Minnesota. She is in her final year of a Master’s of Public Health program at St. Kate’s University. She is a labor and employment attorney and in this role advises employers on a wide range of employment laws and workplace issues. If a dispute arises, she negotiates a resolution or represents her client through the litigation process in court.
EPLN Q&A
Question #1: What difference would you hope to make as a school board member?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
If reelected, I would continue my efforts to make a difference by providing common sense, principled leadership and decision making with an education-first vision. I am a proponent of our schools, teachers, and support staff working together with parents and the community to provide an educational experience prioritizing academic excellence, high standards and expectations with regard to character, behavior and responsibility, as well as district transparency and accountability.
Furthermore, I want to continue the work I’ve done with fellow board members, overseeing and promoting the financial stability of the district. If reelected, I will continue to prioritize good stewardship of the investments being made in our schools. I will advocate to keep Eden Prairie’s school taxes among the lowest of our neighboring districts, ensuring our students are in fully-funded, right-sized and equipped classrooms and safe buildings with highly skilled, caring teachers and staff.
If provided the opportunity to continue to serve on the school board, I would work to maintain the financial stability and accountability standards that have positioned Eden Prairie Schools as a destination district for not only families and their students, but also well-qualified and dedicated teaching professionals. At a time in which families and staff have options, it would be my continued goal to attract and retain the highest caliber teaching professionals to lead our students into the future through robust academic programming that promotes personalized learning and student choice.
I believe I bring a very diverse perspective and unique experience to the Eden Prairie School Board.
• I am the only first-generation American on the board.
• I am the only member on the board who has real-world expertise in data security (cloud and network) from my 12-plus years of experience in civilian career.
• I am the only member of the board who brings seven-plus years of physical security expertise through my experience in the Army.
• I am one of the very few members on the board who has a wide range of experience at the federal and state level to negotiate, collaborate, and craft policies.
Over the last three years, I brought these perspectives and experiences to the board to serve our students, teachers, staff, and the community effectively. If reelected, I will keep on doing that. The educational excellence, personal care, and inclusive culture in our buildings is a product of the hard work and unparalleled dedication of our teachers and staff. They need our continuous support, encouragement, and advocacy. I have been the strongest cheerleader and advocate for our district and community during my time on the board and I will keep on doing that, if reelected.
I feel very fortunate to be a candidate for a school board seat in a district that already has so many excellent programs in place and values each student’s voice. I would hope to find a way to give teachers and staff a bigger voice in the conversation. America is facing a teacher turnover crisis and we need to be vigilant in giving them the support they need to remain in Eden Prairie. Teachers are our front line workers. They are the ones face-to-face with the students we serve daily and are invaluable to the continued success of our district. As a board member, I would hope to be in touch with schools, teachers, staff, students, and families more often to hear about what is working well and what we could do to improve.
My background in education informs deep examination of district and student performance, behavior management, curriculum, learning interventions, meeting the needs of general and special learners, interactions and support for families, meeting the needs of our teachers, and anything related to these that the board has set a policy to monitor.
I’m committed to long-term outcomes for our schools because I’m passionate about public education, and my three children are in Eden Prairie Schools.
I represent a significant portion of our students, staff, and community, bringing diversity of thought to ensure our district is led by highly qualified people who represent our vibrant and diverse community.
As a school board member, I would hope to help district leadership identify ways in which well-intentioned policies are not reaching “each” of our students. Our district’s mission is to inspire each student and I think it is important to challenge us to continuously find new ways to reach toward that aspiration. I have 16 years’ experience identifying program gaps and assisting clients with solving those gaps to make better, more inclusive workplaces. As a member of the school board, I would hope to use my experience and skills to help the district make it easier for all families to take advantage of the amazing resources our district has to offer.
Question #2: How will you support racial equity in the Eden Prairie Schools?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
A definition of equity first needs to be established. As it relates to education, I prefer the definition of equity described as impartiality to equal opportunities and just treatment of students. I support this cause, advocating for good-faith efforts by both our schools and the people groups we are serving, regardless of race, culture, or ethnicity – while working together to understand what barriers stand in the way of each individual’s path to achieving their full potential. However, this does not mean we lower standards; rather, we continue to set high expectations, providing students the tools and support needed to be their best. Such work is underway in our schools, with a goal that achievement disparities will not be predictable between racial groups. Our graduation rates exceed those of most Minnesota schools, especially with regard to our students of color. District survey data reveals high satisfaction scores in the 90th percentile among all people groups and demographics. I will continue to champion these efforts. If we are treating others how we would like to be treated, with trust, authenticity and mutual respect, we can make an incredible impact in the lives of each student in EP Schools.
I understand and support the value of creating an inclusive culture and attracting students and staff that know how to interact effectively with people from different cultures, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. I affirm each student in the Eden Prairie School District deserves the right to have an educational environment free from any form of racial discrimination. I have supported, and will continue to support the ongoing evaluation of curriculum, continued student input, and data driven analysis of discipline data while ensuring no student group(s) are marginalized in the process.
Eden Prairie Schools empowers each student to reach personal fulfillment and contribute purposefully to our ever-changing world and focuses on their well-being, development, and success. Our teachers and staff take personal interest to inspire each student to contribute positively. The board encouraged the administration to make sure that staff reflects the diversity of our student population.
As chair of the Policy Committee, I championed the change of the policy to monitor the end results for each ethnic group of the student population to track progress and focus on areas requiring attention to fulfill our mission. I supported the inclusive and equitable school calendar, which accommodates and celebrates various religious and ethnic festivals and customs.
Over the years, we have built an inclusive culture and a welcoming environment in our schools. We made sure that students attending EPHS for four years will graduate on time, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or religion. Our third and 10th grade reading scores are on a positive trend, which is against the trend of neighboring districts and the state. More students of color are enrolled in AP classes than ever before.
I strongly advocated and supported these measures and will keep going forward if reelected.
There are many ways that we can support racial equity in the Eden Prairie Schools. First and foremost, we need to ensure that all students feel welcome and included. We can do this by making sure our staff and teachers are representative of the diversity of our community and by incorporating elements of different cultures into our curriculum. Additionally, we can promote racial equity by recognizing, sharing, and celebrating the unique racial and cultural backgrounds of our students. Sharing holidays and traditions and having guest speakers would be one way to accomplish this.
As a board member, it would be my responsibility to listen, learn, and support measures that ensure all students feel valued. By working together, we can create an environment where all students feel valued and supported.
I have advocated to combat inequities in demographic groups, as well as between typical and unique learners. I have seen through my work on the board that the district is doing some intentional work to counter systemic inequities in various ways, including striving to eliminate achievement disparities by 2023, extensive added supports in reading, increasing diversity of the highly qualified educators in leadership roles, and the Cultural Competency Training the board received to use in our discussions and decision making. I hope to remain on the board to ensure these efforts continue and expand.
For the last several years I have been a persistent advocate for racial equity in our schools. As a member of the school board, I would have the ability to dig deeper into our district’s blind spots. For example, I have advocated at the district level for a review of our gifted and talented program selection process. I find the process to be confusing and not well explained to parents. Gaining access to the program often involves knowing the right people to contact. Tips for navigating our gifted and talented program are largely passed along through word of mouth and so the information is not evenly distributed. Typically, minority families are the least likely to know which person to email for an individual assessment, or which person to email for outside course options to qualify for advanced classes. If I was on the school board, I could advocate through the board oversight process for a review of our gifted and talented program through an equity lens. This is just one example of an area where we could do better from an equity perspective. No student should miss out on opportunities our district offers because a particular process is not equitable.
Question #3: Do you support the 2018-2023 strategies for the Eden Prairie Schools that are currently in place? If not, what would you change?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
Yes, I support the 2018-2023 strategies that are in place. Over the past four years, many of the district’s strategies have taken shape. The Designing Pathways initiative tied to the 2019 voter-approved bond referendum has provided safety and security updates, improved and updated learning spaces, a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center at CMS, and the shift of our pre-K students into our elementary schools and sixth-graders into the middle school. Secondly, with the groundwork for EP Online being established prior to the pandemic, Eden Prairie schools pivoted efficiently and effectively to keep our students engaged and learning in a virtual setting. EP Online, our newest “school” in the district, continues to be a choice for families and students both inside and outside our district. Academic programs in our high school and middle schools continue to expand, allowing students to align their potential career interests with related course choices. Lastly, I am enthusiastically supportive of the board’s end goal (policy) of preparing each of our students with 21st century skills, the 4 C’s — critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication — preparing them for their next steps after graduation.
Yes, I supported the Eden Prairie Schools 2018-2023 strategic plan focusing on personalized learning initiatives through Designing Pathways, eliminating achievement disparities through equitable access, and engaging stakeholders throughout our community. I would also welcome the opportunity to participate in the development and implementation of the next five-year strategic planning process scheduled to begin in 2023.
I absolutely support the 2018-2023 strategies that are in place for the Eden Prairie Schools. As a current board member of the School Board, I worked shoulder-to-shoulder with the district administration to make sure that the strategies are implemented effectively and in a timely manner. The implementations were also monitored closely to make sure that we are delivering the promise made to the community about implementing Designing Pathways: personalized learning; offering choice programming; eliminating achievement disparities; increasing graduation rates; and engaging our stakeholders to achieve the district’s mission.
Though we made significant strides and achieved great success, we have a lot of work ahead of us and I am fully committed to do what it takes to be on the right track toward academic achievement, educational excellence, safe and secure schools, and fiscal stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars.
I do support these strategies. I feel that personalizing learning, eliminating achievement disparities, and engaging our stakeholders are all essential in achieving the district’s mission. The strategic plan, core values, and mission are well-developed by staff, executives, and board members who care about the success of each student and his/her success.
Yes! My family moved here when our children were in Little Eagles and elementary school. We’ve seen the transformation in academic offerings, learning spaces, and diversity. The preschool is now in the elementary schools, offering more pre-schoolers preparation for kindergarten – with included busing to ensure transportation is not an obstacle! The Pathways initiative gives students more choices and supports individualized learning. The high school has doubled AP class enrollment, inviting students across demographic and learner groups to challenge themselves. The partnership opportunities with colleges like Hennepin Tech, and expanding Capstone experiences, offers students to try out what they may wish to pursue after graduation. All the while our student body is becoming increasingly diverse. More than 47% of students report being non-white, with more than 50% of kindergartners reported being of color. Motivational phrases and images of students line the entryways and halls of our buildings, reflecting the culturally competent approach to welcoming students and families, and fostering a sense of belonging.
I will continue to advocate for students’ voices, to respect students and staff to be their authentic selves, and to receive input from the incredible staff, parents, community, and local businesses to continue educating students with excellence and flexibility to meet the ever-changing needs of our stakeholders.
Yes, I support the 2018-2023 strategies. I would not change the strategies themselves, but I would challenge our district on whether we are fully evaluating our programs in a manner to achieve those goals. For example, the strategies rely on data, (i.e., testing) to measure achievement. The tests are in English. If English is a student’s second language or not the language in which a student is taught (immersion), then if a math score is low, was that because the student did not understand the math or because they did not understand the language in the question? As of last winter, when I talked with district leadership, it seemed we were just starting to explore this question. I think validating what we are measuring for each student is central to personalizing learning and fulfilling our strategies. If I was on the school board, I would ask our district leadership how we can further evaluate our strategies so that we can help each student excel.
Question #4: Do you support the referendum the current board has placed on the November ballot?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
Yes, as a board member, I cast my vote of approval for the district to put two referendum questions on the ballot this Nov. 8. Over the past several months, I have listened intently to presentations by our administration. I have asked questions and reviewed short-term and long-term budget assumptions related to both the operating levy, which supports learning and programs across the district, and our capital project levy (aka tech levy), which funds technology, security and infrastructure. Eden Prairie taxpayer dollars have been impressively stretched beyond what the 2014 referendum assumptions predicted, but they are set to expire. Inflation-based state-aid formulas continue to lag behind actual inflation numbers, which puts our schools in a tough position in the event the referendums do not pass. Historically, districts resorting to drastic budget cuts find it difficult to recover once their momentum is stalled. Our community has an upstanding record of supporting our schools, which in turn supports our property values and local economy. I encourage everyone to visit epvote.org to learn more about the referendums and how your vote can impact Eden Prairie schools.
Yes, I voted to bring the referendum to the voters of Eden Prairie and would encourage a yes vote for both the operating levy question and the capital project levy. Through prudent fiscal management of taxpayer dollars, Eden Prairie Schools has exceeded the promise made during our last referendum in 2014. Our district has been able to avoid reductions to programs and services for a full eight years. During that same time, we’ve been able to reduce class sizes, implement our personalized learning and academic programing, and introduce capstone projects. As a district, we are headed in the right direction and have positive momentum on our side as we look to continue down the path of excellence while inspiring each student.
Absolutely. In meetings, I have championed the cause and worked to develop consensus among board members for unified support of the proposal.
The operating levy, which supports programs across the district, if passed, will provide long-term fiscal stability, helping us achieve educational excellence. It will help us keep K-5 class sizes lowest among the southwest metro, maintain mental health support for students, and keep and attract the best teachers. The current operating levy, approved in 2014, was promised for five years but with the fiscal stewardship and discipline of the board and administration is in its ninth year.
The capital project levy, which provides technology, security, and infrastructure across the district, if passed, would ensure: continued student access to devices that help in their everyday learning; security of student and staff data, the centerpiece of my campaign; and would maintain and update critical infrastructure that is nearing end-of-life. Renewal would provide funding for investment in top-tier protection and to stay on the leading edge of data and device security. We’ve seen the positive impact of this during the pandemic. While other districts struggled to provide infra- structure for remote learning, we were ready on day one for every grade level.
I support the referendum because I believe it is critical to maintaining excellence in our schools. Our board has worked diligently to stretch our funds and find the most efficient ways to use our funds while still providing world-class opportunities for our students. Replacing the current operating levy and renewing the capital projects levy would allow the district to maintain stability and plan for the future of our district without budget reductions. Decreasing the budget means possibly dismissing staff or resources, which would have a negative impact on our students.
Yes! I voted for it!
State funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation, leaving a $2 million annual gap for EPS. Districts can make cuts or ask the community for support. Eden Prairie has been supportive of schools, and the district honors that by looking for efficiencies. For example, 80% of district electricity is provided by the solar panels on our roofs, representing a huge cost savings.
The 2013 capital project levy supported 21st century learning and student devices, which we didn’t know then would support distance learning when other districts were scrambling to get devices for students. This mitigated the learning loss most other districts experienced from the COVID-19 shutdown. We’re asking for a renewal on this, with no tax increase.
The 2014 operating levy funds our small class sizes in kindergarten and first grade. These funds were promised to last five years, and due to good financial management have lasted eight years! We’re asking to revoke and replace this with a new levy to expand small class KG – 5th grade, to maintain the existing financial stability of the district, and to not make cuts for at least the next five school years. Approval would add less than $8 per month in tax to the average home in Eden Prairie.
Yes, I support the referendum on the November ballot. If the referendum does not pass, the district will need to make cuts. A strong education is one of the most significant determinants of an individual’s life-long health. To me, less than $8 a month for a home valued at $430,000 is worth the investment to set up the future of Eden Prairie for success. As a PTO member, I have an opportunity to see how funds are used in our schools. Our PTO Boards collaborate with school leaders to fund items our district does not. This means funding is a frequent topic for discussion. If community members have questions about school funding, in addition to school board meetings, PTO meetings are a great way to get an on-the-ground view of how leanly our schools operate and why we need to pass this referendum to avoid cuts.
Question #5: In your view, is the quality of Eden Prairie Schools about where it should be, relative to the amount of property taxes paid by residents and businesses?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
Great schools are the backbone of a vibrant and healthy community; however, they are not without a worthy cost. Eden Prairie Schools have a consistent track record of providing excellent programs in academics, activities, and the arts at an exceptional value, as our school taxes consistently remain among the lowest in the southwest metro. Students receive a well-rounded education that exceeds Minnesota state graduation requirements. Additionally, our high school students enjoy a variety of class choices with options to earn college credits at little to no extra expense, which can potentially save families thousands of dollars. If reelected, efforts to keep school taxes low for families and business owners will continue to be a priority for me.
Yes. As a parent of three current college students, all of which are products of Eden Prairie Schools, what I can share with my fellow community members is the quality of education our children received along with their peers was exceptional. When talking to them along with several of their friends as they returned home from either attending college, technical schools, or jobs after high school, every one of them shared how well-pre- pared they were whatever their next educational opportunity happened to be. Eden Prairie Schools continue to be among the lowest property tax communities when compared to our surrounding communities.
We live in an outstanding community, and I am proud to call it home. It is extremely supportive and invested in the long-term success of our schools and students. I’m convinced the district provides a very high-quality education with state-of-art infrastructure and facilities.
The board has shown extraordinary fiscal discipline and stewardship of taxpayer dollars and I am proud to be a part of the team for the last three years. The 2014 levy, initially approved for five years, is in the ninth year without budget cuts, workforce reduction, or change in offerings. It was possible because of the long-term vision and planning of the board and efficiencies brought by the administration, year after year.
The tax rate of Eden Prairie Schools is one of the lowest among the neighboring districts and districts of similar sizes across the state.
We have a lot of work ahead of us. There is no room for complacency. We need to keep doing the things working for us and find
every opportunity to bring efficiencies to the system. We must be laser focused on delivering world-class education and maintaining/enhancing our facilities and infrastructure.
I am fully committed to the task.
Absolutely! Eden Prairie is an outstanding and supportive community. The strides made in recent years to offer individualized experiences and narrow the achievement gap while preparing our students for the world after high school have been phenomenal. Eden Prairie School District has worked hard to eliminate unnecessary costs to stretch our budget further. Our tax rates are lower than nearly all of our surrounding districts and we’ve done this while maintaining a stable budget for multiple years. In addition, we have put a great deal of effort into fundraising to supplement our budget. All of this has allowed us to maintain our high standards despite tight budgets.
Yes. Eden Prairie Schools are among the best in the state, while Eden Prairie property taxes are among the lowest in the southwest metro. We offer personalized learning, sports, the fine and performing arts, advanced courses in honors, AP and PSEO, broad access to technology (that kept students learning during the COVID-19 shut down when other districts were trying to obtain needed devices), beautiful and innovative spaces, and staff dedicated to inspiring each student to achieve their unique best – at an amazing value.
Yes, I think the quality of Eden Prairie Schools is about where it should be relative to the amount of property taxes paid by residents and businesses. I think our district leadership has done a great job being stewards of community funding. That said, I think we should always strive to improve and I know our district leadership believes continuous improvement is important.
Question #6: School board members need to collaborate in order to get things done. How and where have you demonstrated the kind of collegial and collaborative skills that would benefit the school board’s work?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
My work in healthcare, specifically in my role as an anesthesia provider, is analogous with the collaborative work of a school board member. In the operating room, each person plays a vital role on the procedural team to ensure the best outcome for the patient. An “all hands on deck” effort is common in my work and something I enjoy being a part of. My education and training in critical care and anesthesia have prepared me to manage difficult situations. The experience I have clearly communicating and collaborating across multiple disciplines and specialties to achieve optimal results has proven valuable to my time on the board. As a current board member, I understand each director brings with them unique perspectives and life experiences. While it is expected members may not always see eye-to-eye, it is imperative that as a board we act respectfully and professionally toward one another and in the community. Over the past year, I have made a point to meet with my fellow board members individually to get to know them better. Finally, I will continue to apply the advice my favorite science teacher (my dad) always gave me which is, “Do your best.”
I’ve been fortunate to have had the past three years to serve our great community as a school board member and work with a handful of different board members during that time. Keeping the theme of “what’s best for all students” top of mind has made it possible to successfully collaborate with my fellow board members while continuing to move the district forward. I’ve also previously served as a trustee and president of our Eden Prairie Fire Relief Association, working collaboratively with the City of Eden Prairie and the City Council. I tend to be a natural consensus builder and welcome alternative points of voice. If provided the opportunity to remain on the board Nov.8, I will continue to serve the students and Eden Prairie community to the best of my ability.
The strength of Eden Prairie Schools and its board is its diversity. It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve with individuals who bring their passion, experience, and diverse perspectives every time. I learn a lot from the discussions, where viewpoints different from mine are shared.
As a member of the Community Linkage Committee, we collaborated to start a new project, Measuring what Matters, to bring more transparency to the public. We started the initiative to make the board more visible by being present in the different school activities and gatherings across the district.
As a chair of the Policy Committee, I helped to develop the consensus to change the Ends Monitoring Policy to track progress across each student ethnic group.
As senior vice president of Immigration Voice, I negotiated and collaborated with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle for the successful passage of a High Skilled Immigration Reform Bill in a divided U.S. Congress.
Throughout my time at Eden Prairie Schools and in my professional and Army careers, I demonstrated the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate across multiple levels to achieve the desired results. I will continue doing so if reelected.
I think this would be the best part of serving on the board. I value collaboration and enjoy listening to those with other viewpoints and areas of expertise. I have experience in the classroom as a teacher, substitute, and volunteer. I have recently volunteered on multiple boards and in various leadership positions in the community.
One of my most memorable and challenging collaboration experiences was as a co-chair of the elementary school carnival. It was incredible to see so many people volunteering and working together with one focus. Each of us brought different strengths to the table and used those to benefit our school!
Collaboration is using our different strengths to achieve a common goal. It is why there is more than one individual on the board. A variety of voices should be shared and considered to make the best-informed decision for the students in Eden Prairie Schools.
I’ve worked hard to build relationships with my fellow board members. At our meetings, I ask questions, seek points of shared values, and strive to understand and be understood. I support board members when they express that connection to shared values. My efforts have caused other board members to support things I’ve pressed for, even though they didn’t originally see the merits. I hope I am reelected to continue these efforts and the work I’ve done.
I successfully collaborate in my career and volunteer roles. To best serve my clients, I need to have a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and collaboration and demonstrate it on each matter. Collaboration is also an important part of PTO work. Our PTOs provide important support to our schools with a small volunteer crew. Volunteers need to be able to work well together and with their schools to complete the work on which our school communities rely.
Position: Eden Prairie School Board Member (2-year position)
Candidates for the 2-year position
– Isaac Kerry
– Dennis Stubbs
JOB POSTING
Eden Prairie is seeking one executive who will fill out the remaining two years of a four-year term. The vacancy was created by a resignation in September 2021. This executive, or school board member, will establish and monitor policies for Eden Prairie School District #272 in concert with fellow office holders (one vote each), but delegate administrative duties to the school superintendent. Executives who are hired to be part of the school board approve the district’s budget, monitor finances, hire a superintendent, and establish a strategic vision.
COMPENSATION
School board executives, who have two meetings per month, receive a stipend of $4,800 per year.
QUALIFICATIONS
A school board member must be at least 21 years old, an eligible voter, a district resident for at least 30 days, and not be a convicted sex offender.
ABOUT THE HIRING PROCESS
The school board is composed of seven members, each of whom typically is elected for a four-year term. Terms are staggered, so that the entire board is not up for election at the same time. These are at-large representatives, not assigned to specific wards or areas of the Eden Prairie School District. This election differs in that four executives are being elected to four-year terms, and one executive is being elected to fill the remaining two years of a term for an executive who resigned in mid-term in September 2021.
Candidate Profiles (2-year)
These are the candidates running for a two year school board term. Click the candidate’s name to view each profile. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
For the past nine years, Kerry has been a stay-at-home dad to his two daughters. During this time, he has built careers as a children’s author, freelance developer, and Eden Prairie firefighter. Before his daughters were born, he earned a Master’s Degree in Urban Studies and worked for a variety of local governments and economic development agencies.
He and his wife, Brianna, moved to Eden Prairie from Mankato in 2019. He said they absolutely love the community, and couldn’t be happier with the move. Both daughters attend Prairie View Elementary School, and this year are in first and fourth grades.
In Spring 2022, he was hired as the education reporter for Eden Prairie Local News. He says he loved covering the schools, but soon realized that just reporting on what was happening wasn’t enough for him. He says he wants to offer up his time and talents to help our district be the best it can be.
Stubbs grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, along with his wife, Miranda. They moved to St. Louis Park in 2011. He has been associated with the building trade for 20 years. The couple relocated to Minnesota so he could oversee a drywall company in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. After their first child, Decker, was born, they moved to Eden Prairie because they love the community. Their son is now eight and in the third grade at Eagle Heights. They also have a daughter, Reece, who attends first grade at Eagle Heights. Their youngest child, Mykah, is three. Stubbs started and became CEO of an energy logistics company in western North Dakota, including opening a construction-related company in the Eden Prairie area. Before COVID-19, he helped serve by volunteering to chaperone class field trips and many similar activities where an adult was needed. He has coached flag football for five seasons now, teaches Sunday school, and volunteers in youth activity groups every week.
EPLN Q&A
Question #1: What difference would you hope to make as a school board member?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
A major catalyst that pushed me into running was the devastating school shooting in Uvalde. As a parent and as a first responder, I was left grappling with what could possibly be done to ensure something like that never happens here. I concluded that one of the most impactful ways we can address the issue on a local level is by supporting the mental health of our students.
There is a crisis of adolescent mental health in our country. So many of the dangerous and tragic incidents that we see on the news have their roots in mental health crises. If elected, I will be a voice for mental health support, constantly looking for ways we can do more for our kids. I will additionally draw on my experience as a first responder to be a voice for improvements and innovations in the areas of school safety, responder training, and disaster preparedness.
Finally, I will seek to ensure the board has open lines of communication with teachers, students, staff, and parents. Each of these groups is critical to the success of our district and as a board we need to be able to be responsive to their concerns and needs.
If elected as a school board member, I will work with other board directors to continue supporting the superintendent and his administration, while providing oversight to see that they remain on course. I want to make sure that parents are heard and have a voice. I will focus on continuing and improving the excellent education that our students are receiving by keeping class sizes smaller. In order to do so, we need to continue to be supportive of our teachers and parents.
Question #2: How will you support racial equity in the Eden Prairie Schools?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
I am extremely passionate about ensuring all the students that go through Eden Prairie Schools are given a fantastic education and are prepared to excel after graduation. As a district that currently sits at 46% minority enrollment, a key part of this goal is to focus on narrowing the racial achievement gap that currently exists in our schools. As one example, our third grade reading metrics show significant disparity between racial groups. Twenty percent fewer of our students who identify as Black and Hispanic are meeting the district’s goal than white students. As a district we can and should do more.
I believe that the board missed an opportunity when it voted to not adopt a resolution formalizing their support for racial equity last year. As a board, I believe we need to lead, and an important component of leadership is setting a clear direction for the district. Our teachers and staff are doing excellent work to advance racial equity across the district, and I believe as a board we owe it to them, and the students it impacts, to explicitly state our support and analyze our existing polices through that lens.
One thing that makes Eden Prairie a great place to live is the cultural diversity within. I was raised and taught in school that all are created equal. Every student deserves the great opportunities that our educational facilities can provide. We want to see each child flourish and be successful long after they graduate. I believe Dr. Swanson and his staff are working hard, and doing a great job of making sure teachers are giving each child the tools they need. They’re very supportive, with children learning to respect each other regardless of where they were born, or what their ethnic background is. I constantly read the parent comments, and see so many of our students of all race and nationality, being praised for excellence in math competitions, essay writings, debates, and sports. It’s great to know that the school district goes beyond in this area to make things better. As school board members, we want to provide the same.
Question #3: Do you support the 2018-2023 strategies for the Eden Prairie Schools that are currently in place? If not, what would you change?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
I believe that the 2018- 2023 strategies laid out by the school district are a fantastic aspirational set of goals. The specific sections of Personalized Learning, Achievement Disparities, and Engagement all put forth a compelling vision for what our district could be.
If elected and able to participate in the next iteration of our strategic plan, I would like to see a few changes. Specifically, I would like to see a series of goals based around school culture. I think that as a district we need to make explicit our commitment to embracing the diversity of our community, building inclusive and welcoming schools, and putting in place feedback mechanisms to help us identify where improvements could be made. Additionally, I believe we should set goals toward creating a culture that emphasizes mental health and creating positive support networks for students.
I agree, and I’m in line with the current strategies that are in place. I believe that there are always ways to improve and keep moving forward. I fully support keeping the class sizes small. And this support includes stricter security measures to keep our children safe.
Question #4: Do you support the referendum the current board has placed on the November ballot?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
I wholeheartedly support both referendum questions that are being put forth to the community this fall. Our technology levy has proven instrumental in allowing students and teachers to respond flexibly to the extremely chaotic demands the last few years have put on them. Continuing our investment in these technologies will allow the district to weather any additional unforeseen circumstances that may come along down the road.
I also support the increase to the operating levy. Many of the key components of the district’s strategic plan, such as more personalized learning opportunities, smaller class sizes, and attracting the most talented teachers, are dependent on these funds. The modest increase the district is asking, which will cost the average household $8 each month, will allow the school’s funding to keep pace with inflation and provide the resources to continue striving to meet and exceed district goals. Without this funding in place, the district will begin making significant budget cuts as early as next year.
I am a strong supporter of the referendums on the ballot this November. The superintendent and his finance team are doing a great job. We’ve all seen the cost of everything rise, and inflation growing all over this country. Along with that is the cost of educating a student. This funding will keep our “student-to-teacher” ratio one of the lowest in Minnesota. That is important because of the impact that COVID-19 had on our district and many others. Our test scores have always been among the highest and now they’ve dropped. We must focus on the education of our kids before anything else and keeping small classes is a great way to do that. This funding will also provide the extended ability to keep up with software and technology. I was pleased to hear Dr. Swanson mention the other day how corporations and businesses have emphasized not only the need for good math, science, English, and writing, but equally important, students having the ability to operate a computer or electronic device from remote locales for spreadsheet and other workplace purposes. These two referendums are going to put the Eden Prairie School District and our academic achievement numbers at the very top here!
Question #5: In your view, is the quality of Eden Prairie Schools about where it should be, relative to the amount of property taxes paid by residents and businesses?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
Eden Prairie’s property taxes are some of the lowest in the southwest metro while our schools continue to outperform many of their peers. I believe our district provides an exceptional “bang for your buck” when it comes to our students’ education. The operating levy that passed in 2014 was designed to provide five years of funding and district leadership managed to stretch that out into eight years. I think that shows fantastic financial stewardship.
I do believe more investments need to be made into student mental health resources. Schools are in a unique position where they can reach hundreds of students that might otherwise not have access to mental health support. If elected I would work to ensure this becomes a policy priority for the district, with the requisite funding to truly make an impact.
Everything I’ve witnessed so far, having two young children in the district, and looking at the stats, test scores, and walking the facilities, is right on target. I do believe that you get more than what you pay for in this district. Our students are very blessed in that they live in a supportive community which funds the facilities, while also backing the administration and teachers. I am very blessed that my kids get to attend classes here. One of the ways you can visually see the benefits of our school funding is to look at the amazing teachers that we have in our learning institutions. In my opinion, not only are they the best educators, but I can genuinely see that they care. Our teachers excel at helping students in any way they can. I’ve personally witnessed this. I want to make sure this district continues to value our teachers, while making this a place where every teacher wants to come and work.
Question #6: School board members need to collaborate in order to get things done. How and where have you demonstrated the kind of collegial and collaborative skills that would benefit the school board’s work?
Click each candidate’s name to see their answer.
I am by nature a pragmatist who looks for ways to reach agreements. I enjoy learning what others’ viewpoints are and trying to understand where they are coming from if we have different opinions. If elected I would strive to work with my fellow board members to create an environment where differences of opinion are shared collegially, and productive discussions lead to decisions that benefit the district.
My time serving on the North Mankato Planning Commission as well as my time with the Eden Prairie Fire Department have both given me ample experience working in high-pressure environments where thoughts and feelings about what is right can differ.
I pride myself on often being a moderating influence when discussions get heated and am confident that I can provide the same steady hand to our school board meetings.
I grew up playing a lot of sports, most of which were team variety. Athletics and great coaches teach you how to work together and achieve a common goal. I currently work with people every day, running my own business. I’ve learned how to work with a variety of personalities. Together, we’ve been able to adapt to sudden changes and always advance forward during these shifts. Always improving, and always learning is the key. I’ve always been a team leader in my companies, both in construction and out in the oil fields. I have to be open for suggestions, be a good listener, sometimes agree to disagree, then find a solution. Afterward, you brainstorm to get it all implemented. The most important things a board, a team, or a committee can do in order to be successful are simple and pretty basic: Work together, work hard, listen, and be respectful to one another.
This page is part of EPLN’s 2022 Voter Guide. Get info on each of the races by choosing from below.