With the election falling on Tues. Nov. 7, the Journal put out an email questionnaire to the South Washington County School Board candidates, later extending the deadline to ensure all an equal chance to participate.

On the ballot will be eleven candidate names, these being Priscilla Kathryn Dimbo, Randall J. Johnson, Chad Borseth, Fekadu Kassa Ayichew, Molly Schaefer,  Melinda Dols, Anthony Mahmood, Satonia Moore, Jaime Kokaisel, Ryan Clarke, and Simi Patnaik.

The 11 registered candidates were each provided with the same list of questions and were asked to keep their answers to 700 words total. Of the eleven registered candidates, nine responded to the Journal questionnaire. Randall J. Johnson participated earlier in the candidate profiles series by SWCTC posted on YouTube. Following are the candidate’s questionnaire responses.

Name? Simi Patnaik

Age? 48

Address? Woodbury

Are you an incumbent? Yes

Online campaign materials or website?

www.votesimi833.com; www.facebook.com/votesimi833; www.instagram.com/votesimi

Broader connection with South Washington County and its schools?

My family and I have lived here since 2002. My older child graduated from WHS in 2023. My son is a sophomore at WHS. I own a marketing consultancy and run Woodbury Thrives, a local health and wellness collaborative.

Since my election in November 2019, I’ve served as treasurer and currently am Vice Chair. I sit on the Citizens Finance Advisory Committee, the District Ambassador Committee, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Parent Advisory Committee, Policy Committee, and City of Woodbury Committee; committees meet 4-12 times/year.  I am also a parent volunteer with the WHS Band Boosters and the PWER Nordic Ski boosters.

I was treasurer, outreach coordinator, and president of the Nuevas Fronteras PTSO from 2011-2019. I served on CFAC since 2015. I lit dropped and phone banked for the 2013, 2015, and 2017 referendum campaigns. I participated in the district’s “day at the capitol,” where we spoke with our local elected officials about education funding.

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?

School boards are policy governance boards. School boards are analogous to a corporate board of directors. The school board, like a corporate board, sets high level policy and strategy goals. The superintendent, like the corporate CEO, determines how to reach those goals. School board members, through high level oversight, ensure student and community needs are being met. Research shows that school boards that engage in management behavior (district administrators’ roles) have worse student outcomes than boards focusing on policy governance. A governance-focused board means that students and taxpayers both do better.

Boards establish expectations and parameters, create strategic plans, adopt policies and budgets, and evaluates the superintendent (the board’s sole employee). District administrators develop, implement and monitor plans, procedures, policies, and staff. Boards need to work collegially and cooperatively to do the district’s business - as one researcher told me at a conference, “drama in the boardroom is chaos in the classroom.”

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?

Our secondary schools are over or close to capacity and are not optimized for how students learn today. Our elementary schools are overcrowded in some areas and under capacity in others. Crowded schools aren’t just bad for students – they are bad for taxpayers because they don’t allow efficient financial spending.

Most of our secondary schools are older and do not have secured entrances, which means that once someone enters the school they can roam freely. Many core spaces, like cafeterias and hallways, are too small for the student population we have today. In some schools, we cannot address class sizes because there are no spare classrooms into which to put more students. Students have also shared academic needs in our buildings – more STEM, robotics, and career and technical education spaces. Our older high schools were built decades ago. While our teachers and staff do excellent work educating our students, we need to ensure we give students and staff the resources they need as they move into the future. In order for our high schoolers to get the facilities they need to be 21^st century leaders, we need to approve referendum question 1.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?

The primary obstacle to this is referendum question 1 not passing. We cannot budget our way through space considerations. In Minnesota, local taxpayers are responsible for covering the costs of new and substantially renovated buildings. The only way to finance this is by issuing taxpayer-approved bonds. Bonds for the district are the equivalent of a mortgage for a home buyer. 

If the taxpayer does not approve the costs, we will need to explore other options. Simply rearranging boundaries doesn’t address the fundamental issues. The alternatives to question 1 include everything from looking at grade configurations at the high school to looking at more online course delivery to looking at alternative scheduling options. Many of these options will not be ideal for students or their families. 

Anything else that voters should know?

Students should be the priority for all school board members. All students deserve to be safe, welcomed, included, and heard in our schools. Students should not have to hide parts of themselves to make some adults more comfortable. Students are the most critical stakeholders in our schools – when they tell school boards what they need, we need to listen. When we take our focus away from student needs, students suffer.

Name: Satonia Moore

Address: Cottage Grove

Are you an incumbent? No

Online campaign materials or website? www.satoniaforstudents.com

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?

I have lived in the community for almost 20 years, and for 15 of those years, I was employed by District 833 where I worked at Lake Middle School. I formed a deep connection with district families and school faculty and staff. I have a junior who attends Eastridge High School. In addition, my professional training in education and social work informs my ability to make the decisions that will be most beneficial to our families and staff. Finally, my current experience as Family Engagement supervisor at District 916 provides insight into the needs of families, as well as into school district policies and procedures in general.

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?

As a school board member, it is my job to make decisions that support the needs of our community, students, and staff; we need to make sure that our teachers and staff have the training and tools that they need to perform their jobs. This can include access to classroom management training, and making sure that mental health resources are readily available. 

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?

The district must get the referendum passed. This will assist with key issues the district is currently facing such as safe schools, overcrowding, and cybersecurity needs.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?

The district must continue to seek community involvement and assure residents of their steps and needs of the district. This will assist with the communication that taxpayers need to understand the needs of our district, this will assist them in making the right decision to support the needs of our community.

Name:  Ryan Clarke

Age: 44

Address: P.O. BOX 25374, 7595 Currell Blvd, Woodbury MN, 55125

Are you an incumbent? No, this is my first time running for any elected office.

Online campaign materials or website? www.ryancfordistrict833.com

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?

My wife and I have lived in Woodbury for 13 years. We have three children attending South Washington County schools from elementary to high school. I have volunteered in school and have coached baseball in Woodbury. 

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?

A school board member has several obligations and opportunities to positively affect the district. A school board member represents the community and the key stakeholders - the parents, students, and taxpayers - while collaborating with the other board members, superintendent, and administration to create a culture and expectation of academic excellence. This is accomplished by developing district policies that focus on an academic mission, providing governance and oversight, and evaluating the superintendent for results against measurable goals. As a representative of the community, a school board member should listen to all sides of an issue from the public and strive to do what is best for parents, students, and taxpayers. There is also an obligation to ask the pertinent questions to determine if current policies and programs are advancing student achievement. Finally a school board member has an obligation to critically evaluate budgets and spending to ensure all stakeholders are represented. It takes money to run the sixth largest district and the funding should have at its core the goal of advancing the academic outcomes of our youth so they can be competitive in the global economy.

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?

We have good schools in South Washington County. Indeed, we moved to Woodbury specifically so that our kids could attend school in the district. As I've watched my oldest son transition through the grades, I've noticed an increasing political bias and emphasis on social issues that detract from the schools’ ability to serve all the kids in school. In my view, public schools should not endorse or advocate for controversial social issues or have an overt bias that furthers our polarized society. Students from all backgrounds attend District 833 schools and should feel welcome. The emphasis should not be on what divides us, but on having an educated and capable population with the requisite character, aptitudes, and skills to be successful in whatever they pursue. 

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?

The status quo is an obstacle. The system naturally wants to protect itself, but a school board member should not have conflicts of interest and not seek to serve, nor disrupt the system. The focus should be to serve the needs of all the stakeholders and the broader community.

Anything else that voters should know?

A vote for Ryan Clarke is a vote to restore balance to the school board, put focus back on classical academics, and ensure fiduciary oversight of the district's finance. 

Name: Priscilla Dimbo

Age: 60 Years Old

Address: Woodbury

Are you an incumbent? I am not an incumbent

Online campaign materials or website?

I can be reached at priscillafor833@gmail.com.

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?

I am a resident of Woodbury. I have two grandchildren attending Woodbury public school.

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?

The roll of a school board is multifaceted. From hiring administration, budget management and community/public education advocacy. It is also the roll of the school board to set and maintain standards of behaviors, assist in creating cultures conducive to learning AND teaching and oversee the overall implementation of education excellence.

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?

The biggest need facing South Washington County schools today is bringing focus back to academic excellence. The job of a public school system is to educate the masses.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?

The largest obstacle I see to pursuing academic excellence is pursuing everything else. From social engineering to the unobtainable task for trying to cater to every possible human variable, we have lost sight of what we should be doing: equipping every child to academic excellence and community responsibility.

Anything else?

I want the voters to know I just want to do my part in bringing our community back to standards of excellence, that in the past, set America’s students as beacons of academic and moral excellence.

Name: Molly Schaefer, Ed.D

Age: 35

Address: Woodbury, MN 55129

Are you an incumbent? No

Online campaign materials or website? http://mollyforsowash.com/

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?
I have a personal, long-term interest in the district. I have a child who currently attends elementary school in the district and I have 3 other children who will also be attending school in the district when the time comes. My family and I are active at our school through volunteering and the PTA. I also substitute at schools throughout the district so I understand the wonderful things happening and the challenges taking place within the schools, and throughout the supporting community.

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?
The role of the school board is to be a voice for students, parents, educators, and the community when looking to make policy and budget decisions and changes. It also means being an active participant within the schools, supporting and listening to individual schools' initiatives, and being a connector of people, partnerships, and presenting alternative, sustainable solutions to recurring challenges to support the learning and development of our students.

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?
The biggest need facing our schools is financial oversight and management. The budget will dictate how we address the large issues that our district is facing today such as safety, academic outcomes, over-crowing, etc.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?
I think an obstacle that we face is continuing to try and address the challenges with the same "solutions" that have proven not to be sustainable over time. I think taxpayers should have more say and involvement as to the allocation of funds to schools, and I think we should explore other sustainable, and inventive options to support our school district and the students it serves.

Anything else that voters should know?
I have over a decade of experience in educational instruction, and educational administration ranging from preK through college. I understand how to manage an educational operating budget, create partnerships and collaborations, and support faculty and staff to elevate academic quality and rigor. I hold a doctorate in Educational Leadership, and I bring new ideas and a fresh perspective to the South Washington County School board.

Name: Melinda Dols
Age: 52
Address: Woodbury
Are you an incumbent: Yes

Online campaign materials or website:
dolsforschoolboard.com and https://www.facebook.com/dolsforschoolboard/
 
Broader connection with Washington County and its schools:
I went to middle school and high school in ISD 833 and graduated from Woodbury High School in 1989. I moved back to Woodbury after starting a family because of the reputable school district. I have had two children graduate from our school district and one child that is currently a junior at East Ridge High School. I’ve had one child receive special education services through our district and one child receive gifted and talented services through our district, so I have profound insight into the various needs and challenges faced by our parents. I have been an involved parent in our district for the past 20 years. I was an active parent volunteer in my children’s various elementary schools, PTA co-president at Lake Middle School, on booster boards at East Ridge High School, and was a parent rep on the School Communicators Committee. I am also an involved community member in our County. I have been on the ISD 833 School Board for the past four years, am a member of the Woodbury Racial Equity Collaborative, a member of the League of Women Voters, and have served several times as an election judge for Washington County. Furthermore, I am a Mental Health Therapist in our community.
 
What is the role of a school board member as you understand it:
A school board member's main roles are district governance and policy development, operational oversight, governance policy implementation, superintendent relations, and public engagement. The School Board’s primary duty is to set policy, while the Superintendent manages the implementation of those policies.
 
What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools: 
I believe the biggest need facing South Washington County Schools is managing our tremendous growth. We are already the sixth largest school district in Minnesota, and we are continuing to grow each year with a booming housing development and the highest student enrollment in our district's history. Although it is positive to be a desired and booming school district, keeping up with the growth and demands that come with it is challenging. Between many schools being at or above capacity, large classroom sizes, and teacher and transportation shortages, we are needing to regularly address our growth through levy’s and bonds and possible boundary changes in order to manage it.
 
What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them: 
The School Board approved a five-year facility plan to address our growth that’s about Securing Our Future and Supporting Our Students. The plan was developed with staff and community feedback and will include two bond questions and a Technology Projects Levy question on the November ballot. The two bond questions address our districts growth obstacles. Bond question 1 addresses safety and security enhancements and expansions/renovations at our secondary schools. Bond question 2 addresses elementary school space at schools projected to exceed capacity and renovations for bathrooms at five of our elementary schools. Question 2 is contingent on Question 1 passing, meaning that if Question 1 does not pass there will be boundary changes implemented for the 2024-25 school year, and boundary changes can be an obstacle for many families and staff. If Question 1 does not pass, then we are looking at increased overcrowding and safety issues in our secondary schools. In my campaigning, I have been explaining the bond questions and addressing their significance in resolving our district's growth obstacle.
 
Anything else that voters should know: 
In addition to addressing our school district’s growth needs, my primary priorities as a school board member include academic excellence, mental health and special education support, equity and inclusion, and fiscal responsibility.

Name: Jaime Kokaisel 

Age: 46 

Address: 11640 Ivywood Circl,e Woodbury

Are you an incumbent? I am not an incumbent. 

Website: www.JAiMEforSCHOOLS.com  

 Broader connection with Washington County and its schools:  

My children attended school in the district for 10 years. I volunteered in the classroom for reading programs like PARP, carnival fundraisers, field trips like JA Biztown, and special events like Battle of the Books. For the last two years I have researched policy and advocated for change in the district by writing and speaking publicly. 

 What is the role of a school board member as you understand it? 

The role of a school board member is to represent the interests of citizens and students while setting the public policy and affairs of the district. By extension this also means ensuring the Superintendent and his/her administration is effective at presenting and carrying out policy with honesty. 

 What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools? 

The biggest need we have in SoWashCo Schools is to prioritize academic proficiency in the core subjects once again. The school district should enhance the community it serves and be complimentary to the teacher, parent and student relationship, not disingenuous.

 What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them? 

We need to carefully assess the social initiatives, emotional programs, and cancel culture within our schools that take away from the process of learning, from feeling safe in the classroom, from growing in knowledge, and from moving forward with hope. 

 Anything else that voters should know? 

I will prioritize GOOD grades, GOOD behavior and GOOD choices. Vote for Jaime Kokaisel. 

Name - Chad Borseth
Age - 48
Address - 11291 Harness Draw, Woodbury

Are you an incumbent? - NO

Online campaign materials or website? - iLikeChad.com

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?
My wife and I reside in the district, and we have two children (ages 7 and 8) who attend school in the district. I worked at East Ridge High School as an educator for five years. I worked as both a paraprofessional (two years) and as a special education teacher (three years). I also advised the student council and homecoming/prom committees, and I have coached track and field for the past three years. I also coached my children’s soccer and tee ball teams in Woodbury.
What is the role of a school board member as you understand it?
1. To represent the best interest of the communities within South Washington County
2. To hire and evaluate the performance of the superintendent of the school district
3. Create policy to support the learning and social-emotional needs of our students

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools?
The needs of our children need to be prioritized. We have students struggling to recover from the negative impacts of the pandemic, which include: a lack of engagement in learning and other school-related activities, consistent attendance, and unhealthy phone usage while in school. We must increase our efforts to support the social-emotional needs of our children.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them?
Partisan special interest groups are spending an increasing amount of time and money to gain influence on local school boards, and this leads to the needs of our children being supplanted. School boards are intended to be a model of non-partisan politics.

Anything else that voters should know?
I am a good person who is committed to improving the life outcomes of our children. I will take no shortcuts to ensure that the best interests of our students are being met.

Name: Anthony Mahmood.
Age: 54
Address: 822 High St, Newport, MN 55055.

Are you an incumbent? No.

Online campaign materials or website? anthonyfor833schoolboard.com

Broader connection with Washington County and its schools?
I have lived in the district for over 22 years my youngest son went thru the schools. I have also been on the Newport planning commission for 10 years.

What is the role of a school board member as you understand it? Hire and evaluate the superintendent, plan and set the budget, set school policies, represent the voice of the parents and community, know the resources the community has and how best to use them in a fiscally responsible manner.

What is the biggest need as you see it facing South Washington County Schools? Getting the kids reading, math, and science scores up to the 80% for their grade level.

What are some obstacles to meeting this need, and how would you address them? The biggest obstacle is state mandated curriculum. Transparency, so the parents are aware of what the state is forcing children to learn, and the time it takes away from the true purpose of public school. Which is to teach reading, writing, math, science, and history.

Anything else that voters should know? I am kind, caring, and honest. I believe by working with parents, teachers, and the community we will make our district something for all other districts to model.