School Board

School Board Candidate Forum 2021

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. on Valley Access Channel 15

A Gazette-sponsored interview of Don Hovland and Pete Kelzenberg, the two school board candidates on the November 2 election ballot for Stillwater Area Public Schools.  The candidates will be interviewed together by Marguerite "Margot" Rheinberger at Valley Access Channels (VAC) studios in Stillwater. Only candidates will be allowed to attend due to COVID-19 concerns.  Matt DeBow, managing editor of the Gazette, will be writing up the responses for publication in its newspaper.   

• The program can be viewed live on COMCAST Cable channel 15. 
• The interview will also be live streamed on VAC's YouTube page and Facebook page at www.vactv.org/live. 

Part of providing a high-quality education to our students means offering exceptional service to all of our customers. As a district committed to personal relationships, offering a high-quality customer service experience is an essential part of our mission.

We recognize, however, that at times we may not meet all of your expectations. We welcome your feedback, and encourage you to let us know if you have concerns. We’ll do our best to answer your questions and work with you to find a reasonable solution to any problems.

How to work with us to address concerns and solve problems:

1. Share your concerns with the person most directly involved (ie. classroom teacher, coach/activity advisor, etc.). Many times a concern is a result of misinformation or a misunderstanding and can be solved at the classroom or building level.

2. If after that meeting there is still an issue, bring your concerns to the building principal or appropriate supervisor.
3. If an issue remains, you may direct your concerns to the superintendent or administrative designee.
4. If there is still an issue after speaking with the superintendent/designee, you may bring your concern to the school board via email, phone or in-person during an Open Forum, which is held as part of the school board’s regular business meeting.

Speaking to the board:

If you wish to speak to the school board, you will be able to do so at the start of a school board meeting during Open Forum. You may sign in only for yourself, not other individuals or groups, and only in person. The sign in sheet is made available 30 minutes prior and up to the start of the meeting. Due to time limitations, we will limit the number of speakers to 15 with each speaker receiving three minutes. If you spoke at the last meeting, please consider allowing others to sign in before you.

While comments and questions are welcome during Open Forum, law prohibits the Board from discussing concerns about individual employees or students in a public meeting. We will stop the proceedings immediately if employee or student privacy issues are raised and direct the speaker to forward comments regarding individual employees or students to the superintendent.

Because we are modeling civil discourse for our community, speakers must present their testimony in a respectful manner. Vulgarity, character attacks, malice or specific complaints identifying staff or students by name or implication will not be permitted.

The Board will not deliberate, discuss, or engage in conversation with speakers during open forum. However, the Board may ask administration to review the concern(s) presented.

Find your Polling Place

Enter your address into this Polling Place Finder to find out important voting information for your precinct.

Absentee Voting

To vote by absentee ballot or in person at the polling place, eligible individuals need to be registered at their current address. Voters may register to vote online through the Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office at mnvotes.org.

Questions about the general election, absentee voting, or voter registration may be directed to Washington County at 651-430-6175. Visit the Washington County Absentee Voting webpage for more information.

Election Results

Election results by precinct can be viewed on the Minnesota Secretary of State's website.

The school board advances its vision by focusing on student achievement, partnering with the community, and being proactive in addressing issues that affect education on local, state, and national levels.

View the 2020-2021 Legislative Platform

Our Advocacy Partners

MN Schools Boards Association
The mission of Minnesota School Boards Association, a leading advocate for public education, supports, promotes and strengthens the work of public school boards.
MSBA was founded in 1920 and is the eighth-oldest school board organization in the United States.
MNMSBA.org

AMSD (Association of Metropolitan School Districts)
It is the mission of AMSD to advocate for metropolitan school districts and advance legislation that supports student achievement.
AMSD.org

SEE (Schools for Equity in Education)
All public school children must have equal access to a high quality education regardless of where they live in Minnesota.
SchoolsForEquity.org

School Board Committee Representatives:

• Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD): Alison Sherman
• Community Education Advisory Council: TBD
• MN State High School League (MSHSL): Matt Onken
• Northeast Metro 916: Katie Hockert
• Partnership Plan: Annie Porbeni 

One Year Seat

As a result of the resignation of board member Liz Weisberg, the board has approved resolutions to fill the vacant position both temporarily and for the remainder of the term. The seat will expire January 2, 2023.

For questions, contact Joan at hurleyj@stillwaterschools.org or 651-351-8455.

A special election for one 1-year seat will be held November 2, 2021 to fill the position due to board member resignation. 

Affidavits of candidacy for the special election to fill the board vacancy shall begin on August 11, 2021 and shall close at 5 p.m. on August 25, 2021. 

Affidavits of candidacy will be available and can be filed during office hours (8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday) in the District Office. Affidavits of candidacy must be filed at the District Office no later than 5 p.m. on August 25 along with a $2 filing fee or a petition with at least 500 signatures of eligible voters in place of the filing fee. 

Please contact Joan Hurley at hurleyj@stillwaterschools.org  or at 651-351-8455 to schedule a time to file your affidavit for candidacy.

Persons who file a candidacy for School Board have until 5 p.m. on August 27, 2021 to request that their name be removed from the ballot; after August 27, the names of all remaining candidates will be included on the ballot.

School Board liaisons exist so that all board members have multiple opportunities to connect with our schools throughout the school year. Board members understand the importance of building strong connections with each of the schools in the district, and the presence of board members in the schools aids the board in making the best decisions possible as they better understand the needs of students.

School Board members will be assigned two schools/programs per semester and will rotate through remaining schools. After four years, every board member will have rotated through every school. It is requested that at a minimum, board members schedule a tour with the principal and attend at least one other meeting/event throughout the semester.

Notes regarding the liaison assignments:

• Since board members make all decisions with the good of the entire district in mind, the assignments are not meant to be advocacy positions but to allow board members to gain a broader perspective about the district.
• School board members do not get involved in administrative issues at individual schools but refer concerns to appropriate staff or the superintendent.
• Board members are not limited to only attending events at their assigned school(s).
• The seats will remain constant when new board members are elected.