Nine candidates are running for four open seats on the seven-member South Washington County School Board, which oversees the sixth largest district in Minnesota, with a student enrollment of more than 18,600 students.

The candidates are: Chad Borseth, Travis Dahle, Elizabeth Bockman Eckberg, Bryn Forstner, Louise Hinz, Juan Huerta, Lori Pecchia Michalski, Katie Schwarz and Sharon Van Leer.

In advance of the Nov. 4 general election, Woodbury News Net emailed all of the candidates, asking them to reply to two basic questions:

• Why are you running for a school board seat?
• What are your priorities?

The questionnaires also offered the candidates the opportunity to describe their current connection to the South Washington County School Board, and to provide a photo and their campaign website URLs if they have one.

Responses were received from seven of the candidates by the deadline included for this week’s Woodbury News Net.

Responses were not received in time from Bryn Forstner and Lori Pecchia Michalski

The board has five primary responsibilities: district governance and policy development, operational oversight, governance policy implementation, superintendent relations, and public engagement. 

School Board members are elected at-large on odd-numbered years. The superintendent of schools is an ex-officio member of the School Board, and there are three non-voting student representatives. 

Here are the candidates’ responses, in alphabetical order:

Chad Borseth

I am a public school teacher and parent running to dramatically improve student attendance, deliver a strong phone policy that supports learning, shift to even-year elections, and ensure endorsement transparency.

My priorities: 

School safety is an urgent concern. We must strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure school staff are prepared to respond to emergencies. 

We must reignite student engagement and address chronic absenteeism. I will advocate for deeper analysis of building-level attendance data, targeted interventions, and consistent expectations across the district.

I would like to strengthen smartphone and technology policies. Our district has already made significant investments in technology that surpass what smartphones provide for learning. Research increasingly shows that outright bans on student phone use during school hours improve focus, engagement, and academic outcomes.

I will propose a new vision for equity and inclusion. One that ensures every student has the resources and support to succeed. 

Website: iLikeChad.com

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Travis Allen Dahle

I’m running to improve education by emphasizing safety, strong academics, and responsible budgeting—supporting teachers and equipping students for success in careers, college, and life.

My priorities:

Academic excellence by supporting strong curriculum standards, prioritizing reading and math fundamentals. 

I will ensure fiscal responsibility. I will support teachers and staff by providing competitive pay and professional development opportunities. 

Promote safe schools, mental health resources, and respectful environments where every student can thrive.

Website: https://candidates.goodparty.org/travis-dahle

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Elizabeth Bockman Eckberg

I am a former educator who believes all students deserve to feel belonging and success at school.

My priorities:

My goal is to continue the long-term work of reducing the academic and opportunity gap for at-risk and students of color. We need to be innovative; we can even look to our students to partner with us and set amazing examples.

We want to retain high quality teachers. As a board member, I will strongly advocate for organized labor and positive labor relations with district unionized staff.

The district must continue to invest in diverse hiring practices. It is critical that students see themselves reflected in and can connect with their teachers and school staff.

I will focus on sustainable, transparent, and innovative uses of public dollars on behalf of our students. 

Website: bockmanforschoolboard.org

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Louise Hinz, current school board member 

I am running for school board so I can continue to be an advocate for students, a voice for parents and a partner with teachers and staff.

My priorities:  

High quality education for every student and student safety have been my priorities for a long time. That will not change.

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/Hinz-for-school-board

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Juan Huerta

My priorities:

I have chosen to run for School Board to provide our children with higher quality education and improve academics like math, science, reading and writing and history.

I will push for greater transparency for parents on the curriculum taught in our schools. 

Encourage parents and teachers to work together.

I am committed to supporting our children in academics and their well-being and will collaborate with schools, in supporting our teachers and local law enforcement with school resource officers for all our children’s safety.

JuanHuertaForSoWashCo

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Katie Schwartz, school board member since 2013

I’m running for school board to champion student success, support teachers, and ensure safe, welcoming schools where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.

My priorities:

If elected, I will work tirelessly to close our achievement gap, ensuring every student receives the support they need to succeed; enhance school safety, so all children feel secure physically and emotionally; and promote equity in opportunity and resources so that every student, regardless of background, can thrive.”

Website: katiefor833.com

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Sharon Van Leer, school board member since 2013

Serving on the school board has allowed me to be an advocate for all children. I know the importance of being responsive and receptive to the community.

My priorities: 

We must support academic excellence that is student-centered, so that every child has access to resources that prepare students for a successful future in a global society. 

We must provide programs that will support the overall well-being of our students. This includes providing mental health resources and offering a range of extracurricular activities.

We must maintain a strong financial position ensuring that our tax dollars support and benefit the education of all children. We will continue to make sound, ethical and fiscal decisions.

Website: vanleerforschools.com