Election 2022: EV-W School Board

Eden Valley-Watkins School Board, ISD #463

 

Positions open:

BOARD MEMBER (4 four-year terms) with 3 candidates: Jay Brovold (incumbent), Lisa Ludwig (incumbent), Ben Stommes (incumbent)

Special election (2-year term): Vienna (Hansen) Meyers

 

Questions asked: (candidate responses are posted below)

1. Why are you running for office at this time?
2. What skills and strengths do you bring to the school board and district?
3. What makes you most proud of the EV-W school district?
4. What are your spending priorities for the district’s limited funds? What projects do you see coming up that will require attention (and money)?
5. How do you propose bridging the divide between school and city government, and school and community (especially those taxpayers without children actively in school)? Is this important?
6. What is your stance on the proposed new sports facility, and how to pay for it?

 

Jay Brovold (board member)

No response was received to our questionnaire before press time. Answers may be printed in a subsequent issue, if/when received.

 

Lisa Ludwig (board member)

1. I have served on the board for two terms, and am running for another term to help continue the success of the district.
2. I currently work in education as an elementary special education teacher in the ROCORI district, and serve on a variety of committees in that district which gives me the opportunity to see different perspectives.
3. Our dedicated staff, students, and community that take pride and ownership of ensuring student success and a sense of belonging to all students.
4. a. What are your spending priorities for the district’s limited funds? Focusing on small class sizes and ensuring that our district can continue meeting the needs of the students.  b. What projects do you see coming up that will require attention (and money)? Maintaining our current programming including technology needs. General maintenance and upkeep that is always ongoing.

5. EV-W has always had strong support within the different community entities, which is important. The school plays a huge role in the community, and EV-W has a large number of staff who live and are involved in the community which bridges the divide and brings the school and community together.
6. I commend the community members who initiated a fundraising event to raise seed money for a sports complex. My hope is that fundraising and conversations continue, and that the sports complex will become a reality in the near future. I believe that it can be a facility that will be used by the school for all students and that it can be a space for the community to use as well. I hope that, in addition to fundraising, we would be able to attain funds through different grants and larger sponsorships so as not to incur additional costs to the taxpayers.

 

Ben Stommes (board member)

1. I believe our schools are a vital part of our communities and their futures. I’m an individual who benefited greatly from the experience I had at EV-W, and am hopeful children currently in the system will be able to look back some day and say the same. I feel as though I may have something to give back to the community in that regard, and believe continuing to serve on the board is an avenue to be able to do that.
2. I have a variety of experience in both my professional and personal life that will continue to serve me well in the role of a board member.

For the last decade, I’ve been employed by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis. I provide direct support for the leadership team of the institutions regarding financial and other strategic planning matters. I am actively involved in the annual budget construction, employee compensation planning, and financial aid and enrollment strategies. I believe the skills I’ve developed during my time at CSB and SJU provide a solid foundation for me to be an effective board member at EV-W.

In addition to my professional experience, I’m a lifelong resident of the district, and currently have three children attending EV-W. I believe that connection to the school and community more broadly uniquely positions me as a board member. I am able to fairly represent balanced views on issues taking into consideration the wants and needs of the community, but all the while focusing on the educational needs of the children in the district.

3. I’m extremely proud of the longstanding tradition of excellence at EV-W in academics, arts, and athletics. During my relatively short tenure on the board to-date, I’ve especially come to appreciate the dedicated group of individuals who are continuing to deliver on that tradition. The district is fortunate to have such a wonderful team of individuals serving at all levels of the system.
4. Our district has a long history of delivering an outstanding student experience on a limited financial base. In order to continue to do so, we need to prioritize funding core operations that directly impact the day-to-day operations of the district. That’s why the current operating levy in front of voters is so important. Passing the levy will allow us to continue to operate in a way that ensures our students are getting the experience they deserve, and doing it in a financially responsible manner. Given the demands of the 21st century workplace, it is also likely the district will need to continue to make meaningful investments in technology to ensure our students are prepared upon graduation. Since joining the board earlier this year, I’ve been struck by how prudent the district is in regards to financial planning and ensuring that we make the most of every dollar available.

I’ve also been impressed with the thoughtful planning that has been done in regards to maintaining facilities. Although the district has a relatively aged infrastructure, it has been well maintained. Continuing these sorts of investments also needs to be prioritized.

The next large capital project the district will need to consider is likely to be a new community sports complex. My views on that topic are outlined in a subsequent question.

5. It is absolutely important that there be a positive working relationship between these groups. We’re all in this together, and need to understand that the success of the entire ecosystem of local government, the school district, and community members depend on one another. A thriving school district cannot exist without a thriving community and local government, and a thriving school system is a vital part of the success of local governments and the community more broadly.
6. I support the concept of a sports facility that could be used by the entire community for a wide variety of purposes including not only school-related activities, but also community events. That said, I believe we need to approach the project in a way that doesn’t redirect resources away from the core educational experience of students that needs to remain at the heart of what the school does. We also need to be sure it doesn’t put undue burden on taxpayers in the district. Given that, my view is any complex would need to be practical in nature and not extravagant. I feel as though the -Johnson-Peterson gym at the EV-W high school is a great example of a project that does a wonderful job of serving the needs of the community while not containing unnecessary luxuries.

I’m extremely impressed with the community interest and financial support that was shown through the first annual Glory Days festival in August. I’m hopeful the momentum that has started with that will carry forward and will allow us to continue to pursue the goal of building a complex the community deserves in a way that is financially responsible.

 

Vienna (Hansen) Meyers (board member, 2-year term)

1. I am running for School Board as a member of the community who has daily connections with students, parents, and faculty members. As well, as a I am a parent to kids in the school district, both elementary and high school. I am present in the daily ongoing activities of the district, where I am able to see the needs of the district, and where we could continue to grow and strengthen in certain areas. I think for that reason I could be an asset with relevance.
2. As a business owner in the community, I am goal-orientated, I bring marketing, business development, -forward-thinking mentality, and accounting skills to the district. As well as the ability to evolve with change, the strength to have tough conversations when needed, open to hearing new ideas/opinions, and standing up for what I think is best for the school and community.
3. The thing I am the most proud of is the academic standards the school district holds and sets for our students, leading it to be one of the best schools in the state to attend, and yet one of the smaller ones. I very specifically sought out this school district for my own kids to attend for that reason.
4. I think this will largely be determined by whether or not the operating referendum gets approved by the voters. If not approved, I believe the spending priorities will be to determine where and what needs to be cut from the budget. If approved, the funds needed to continue to operate will be available. I think then the focus will be to make sure we are continuing to operate at a competitive academic level, not only within our surrounding communities but within the state. For projects that I see coming up that will require attention (and money) will be to determine our high school’s next principal and what that salary will be. For the High School, I would also like to bring focus to preparing our youth for higher education opportunities, and make sure they are educated on how to navigate their future regarding those choices. This will come through extra-curriculars and workshops. As a whole focus for the district, I would like to put focus on making sure the teachers have the technology and tools to stay current and relevant in regards to academics.
5. Bridging the divide between school and city government and school and community I feel is something that has been at the forefront for everyone this last year. Moving on from COVID community (school and city) is more important than ever before. This last year, we saw a bridge of both areas as we had student Megan Blonigen (currently in 11th grade) working with the Citizens 4 Progress Program and designed a frequent Summer Shoppers program for the local businesses. Also, we have seen the school and community come together in a big way for the Glory Days Fundraiser, specifically geared toward raising private funds for a potential Sports Complex, and raising over $80,000 through the one event. Continuing to strengthen the relationship with the school and community is very important, especially as a business owner in the community that is largely impacted by the presence of the school. “Each of us needs all of us, and all of us need each of us.” –Jim Rohn
6. As a founding member of the Glory Days Fundraiser, I feel very passionate about the new sports facility, and I equally feel passionate about making it something that impacts the community in a positive way. That leaves all members (those with students in the district, and those without students) being able to have pride in it without having the heavy burden of the bill. Which is why I will continue to work very hard on securing the funds for this project in a variety of different and creative ways.