Thanks to West St. Paul Chiropractic for their support.
There are five candidates running for four seats on the ISD 197 school board this year. We’ve asked the candidates a series of questions to see where they stand on the issues. We’ll share one question and the responses at a time leading up to the election on November 7. See our ISD 197 voter’s guide for more.
We already asked about the candidates’ top priorities, how they would make the district better, money, levies, equity, what sets candidates apart, and district strengths and weaknesses. This week we’re asking about volunteer experience.
How have you served your community? Describe your volunteer experience in ISD 197 schools and the wider community. What kind of governance, board, or other leadership experience do you have?
We posed this question to all candidates. Here are their answers in random order:
Rowen Elsmore
I have served the community in a variety of ways. I volunteered for several years as a crisis counselor with The Trevor Project, where I worked with queer youth in crisis. I presently am the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) advisor at Jefferson High School where I am a staff member. I care deeply for the health and wellbeing of all of our students, and believe that my identity as a transgender woman makes me particularly well suited to connecting with LGBTQ+ youth.
Randi Walz
Here is a non exhaustive list of some of the ways I have been engaged in my community and school:
- •Community Organizer in support of Guild Services/Dakota County Mental Health Crisis and Recovery Center to be located in West St. Paul
- Library Services Volunteer
- Classroom Volunteer
- Minneapolis Institute of Art – Art Adventure Classroom leader
- Artist-in-Residence program volunteer
- Math Enrichment volunteer instructor teaching Third Grade “Hands on Algebra”
- Various Two Rivers Booster Club volunteering
- Neighborhood host for Night to Unite
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Tim Aune
Within the District I have been active with the Boys basketball boosters, using the skills I acquired in my high school fast food job to be an adept staffer working concessions. I have provided the trailer and helped decorate the Boys Basketball Float for Warrior Rally the past two years. I have also worked as a volunteer in the Warrior Store during.
I am a member of the National Ski Patrol and have Patrolled at Buck Hill for eight years. I am a certified Instructor and CPR Instructor
I was a Term Board Member and served as Board Chair for the MIT Annual Fund. In that role I gained valuable insights into how best to achieve board consensus and seek staff input to work in concert towards a defined set of goals.
I am also and Education Counselor for MIT. In this role I interview prospective students. This has given me exposure to the opportunities high school students are being given in schools throughout the region.
Byron Schwab
This is my 12th year serving ISD 197 as a School Board member. During that time I also represented 197 for 6 years on the East Metro Integration School Board and for the past 5 years on the 917 Intermediate School Board. I have been on the Board of Directors for the Retired Principals of MESPA (Minnesota Elementary Principal Association) for the past 16 years and 8 years on the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools License renewal Board. I have been a member of Augustana Lutheran Church in West St. Paul for the past 18 years and a member (and sometimes substitute Director) of the choir for the past 15 years.
Morgan Steele
Here in West St. Paul, I volunteer at West St. Paul Pride every summer with my family. I also volunteer with ROCC (Residents of Color Collective) at events when I am able. I host the block party for my neighborhood Night to Unite as well. In addition to teaching in Richfield, I am also leading a trip to France over spring break and am responsible for our winter dance every year.
I’ve attended a few Somerset PTA meetings and volunteered at the Somerset Carnival. I’ve also attended the Somerset Social fundraiser every year that my children have been at Somerset. I try to chaperone at least one field trip per school year.
As far as leadership goes, I’ve been in a leadership role for a majority of my career. I’ve served on various leadership teams and am currently on the Instructional Leadership team at Richfield High School. Prior to being on that team, I was on the Social-Emotional Leadership team for one year before the district decided to make SEL work a larger focus for everyone.
Note:
Barbara Kessler dropped out of the race in August, though her name will still appear on the ballot.
Vote on November 7
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The ISD 197 website has details on where and how to vote. Voting options also include absentee voting, either by mail or in person, which starts September 22.
We’ll share more candidate responses as we get closer to the 2023 election. You can also see our ISD 197 voter’s guide for more.
Thank you to the candidates for taking the time to respond.
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