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This year’s election includes candidates for the Minnesota State House to represent West St. Paul. The city is represented by two separate state house districts and divided roughly in half. The northern half is in 65B and the southern half is in 53A. 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 general election on November 5. See our 2024 voter’s guide for more.
Previously we asked about candidates’ top issues and gambling. This time we’re asking about education.
The 2023 legislative session brought historic funding for education, filling a number of gaps and offering free meals but also creating new mandates. What do you think the state should do to support education going forward?
Here are the candidates’ responses:
House District 53A
Mary Frances Clardy
Education is the foundation upon which futures are built. Every child should have access to a world-class educational experience. To improve educational outcomes, we should:
- Stabilize education funding by permitting local optional revenue.
- Increase access to high-quality voluntary Pre-K programs.
- Continue to provide support for the READ ACT (a science-based program that focuses on reading instruction).
- Increase the quality of special education. It is an important vehicle for children with learning disabilities to obtain a quality education.
- Focus on English learners. This student population is the fastest growing, most geographically diverse in Minnesota. However, their academic outcomes fall behind grade level and state expectations.
- Create new pathways for teacher licensure. This will help address the shortage in attracting, developing, and retaining teachers, special education teachers, multilingual teachers, and teachers of color.
- Increase funding for students and staff for mental health and social-emotional learning. Mentally healthy students are more likely to go to school ready to learn, actively engage in school activities, and have supportive and caring connections. They tend to use appropriate problem-solving skills and add to a positive school culture.
- Revisit instructional hours. The current education system prioritizes time as the focus rather than student engagement and learning. Students learn differently from one another, and often at a different pace. The rigidity of the current system does not allow for local control and for what is best for student learning and growth.
Nathan Herschbach
Nathan Herschbach did not respond to our questionnaire.
House District 65B
Mike Hilborn
Education should be done at the local school board level. A one size fits all approach is rarely successful. I’m opposed to tampons in the boys’ bathrooms. Free meals for those in need makes sense, but making it free for all, regardless of need, is an example of the fiscal perspective we must change in the state to reign in spending. The saying is still true; there’s no free lunch. Fiscal responsibility needs to be a core tenant of government and must be restored in Minnesota.
María Isa Pérez-Vega
Our state is leading in making investments into our public k-12 education system to be more equitable in a state with a historic debt of opportunity to students of color and Indigenous students . Ensuring that our schools provide a safe and welcoming environment for all students is something that I will continue to be proud to support. We need to continue investing in curriculums that are relevant and responsive to our students and families.
We also must support our educators who have the critically important task of supporting our young people to learn the skills, knowledge, and attributes needed to thrive in the 21st Century.
Vote on November 5
The general election is on Tuesday, November 5. Learn more about where and how to vote. You can also vote early with an absentee ballot, either by mail or by stopping at the Dakota County offices.
See our 2024 voter’s guide for more on the candidates and other races.
Thank you to the candidates for taking the time to respond to our questions.
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