Meet the candidates running for Stillwater Area school board

Below are candidate profiles are listed in alphabetical order. Candidates are: Mark Bezdicek, Jessica Johnson, Pete Kelzenberg, Eva Lee and Philip St. Ores. Special election candidates are Lawrence Becking and Beverly Petrie. 

Mark Bezdicek

Why am I running for school board?

The proficiency of our students In reading math and science has been declining for the last decade. The state requires that all students at the end of third grade read professionally at that level. For students that do not read well by the end of third grade will have difficulty completing the curriculum that is in each upcoming year. Last year Stillwater area high school graduated 644 students and those same students have an average proficiency in reading math and science of 56%. We cannot continue graduating students who not prepared to do the coursework in college, trade school or any other career.

I am running to bring academics back to the schools, in order that our students can be proficient in the basics of education; reading, able to articulate their ideas in their speech and in their written work and have a good grasp of math, science and history. This will enable them to be successfully in their endeavors after they leave the Stillwater High School, whether that be in college, trade school or any other career.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role? 

Having been raised in a farming community on a dairy and crop farm, conservative values were instilled in me from a young age. The church community where we learned about God, his ways and love and respect for people was firmly established in my beliefs. I learned the value of a hard days work. to practice the task I was given until I was able to do it successfully and to be careful what I spent my hard earned money on.

I still walk-in the same beliefs today and I bring these conservative Christian values to my role as a school board member.

What are my priorities as a school board member?

In order to prepare students for life outside the school building we must have the academics needed for them to be proficient in reading, writing, math, science and history. Parents participation in their children’s education is a must, and when elected, I will welcome their participation in our school board meetings.  Parents need to know what material is being taught in their Classrooms, what books are in the library and any other elective material that is brought into the classroom that their children would be exposed to. Another priority would be safety in the schools for both the students and the teachers; address all bullying issues, and to restore respect of the authorities in the school.  Consequences are necessary for the offenders of the schools rules and the disrespect of other students and those in authority over them, in order to curb future incidents. The school atmosphere should be fulfilling and safe. 

Jessica Johnson 

Why are you running for the school board?

I’m running for school board to assist in putting the focus back on academics, beginning with reading proficiently. The most important role of a board member is to put in place a vision and strategy that ensures high academic achievement in the communities' children. I will work with other board members to provide clear lines to keep our curriculum clean of controversial politics and ideologies. All families should trust that our schools will not impose the beliefs of one half of our divided society on the other. Such guidance would allow teachers greater freedom to customize academic instruction without fear of stepping outside of parental expectations. It would foster greater emphasis on academic achievement.

In order to achieve academic excellence, we must foster a learning environment that is welcoming and supportive to all students and teachers with minimal distractions. A place where everyone feels safe, loved and excited to share in the experience of learning together. Clear expectations for learning and civil behavior must be communicated throughout our schools and to parents. Expectations must be swiftly and consistently upheld by the administration to protect effective classroom learning.

Parents, these are your children. Neighbors, the academic success of Stillwater’s children is our future. “Pony Pride” must again be grounded in disciplined, academic achievement.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

By experience, I have learned that: 1) through elections we are a self-governing people; 2) electing our neighbors, and sometimes running for office ourselves, ensures that all of us are represented; and 3) parents and voters must not surrender our responsibilities to elitist “experts” or insiders.

Effective School Board members require independence from those they are overseeing, as well as experience in management and negotiations, construction finance and auditing, contract writing and practical application of state statutes and rules. I’ve decades of this experience applied in the real world. I have no conflicts with my oversight responsibilities.

Community engagement is essential, and mine has given me deep roots here. I have coached youth basketball, participated in the Greater Stillwater Chamber’s Leadership in the Valley program, volunteered with many non-profits, and engaged with both private and public educational systems. My resume can be found at www.VoteJessica834Schools.com

What are your priorities?

There has been over a decade of academic decline and almost no discussion publicly of it by the current board or those they oversee. This is the essential issue that must be addressed and the top priority I will put focus on when elected. Continuing to ignore and excuse such on-going failure would only ensure more of the same. The time for change is now.

Academic success for every student begins with reading at grade-level and must be our first priority. This supports math, science and historical literacy equipping all of our students to pursue meaningful lives through the trades, college or other paths of their choosing.

In 2013 the district’s third grade reading proficiency was 74%. In 2020 the district spent more money per pupil and third grade reading proficiency plummeted to 51% where it remains today. After spending millions more, taxpayers should expect better, not worse outcomes for our children. The current boards’ illegal third grade reading proficiency goal of 61%, abandons 4 in 10 students. My priority as a board member is to dramatically increase academic results by first setting higher goals, nearing 100%, and then setting clear guidelines and methods of measurement to achieve them. 

We must fund, and focus, efforts to accomplish this. We must monitor curriculum for effectiveness, support what works, and provide guidance when change is needed. I look forward to helping provide the leadership, goals and strategic plan to help our superintendent, educators and students succeed. Our children are counting on us. Together, we can do better. 

Pete Kelzenberg 

Why are you running for the school board?

During the past year I’ve served on the board, good work has been started and I hope to continue our progress. I am particularly proud of our success in hiring a superintendent whose leadership and ideas are moving our district in the right direction. I would like to contribute to this success and focus on improving academics by working with our staff and listening to the community.

I have a long history of volunteerism and commitment to the community, and I believe my close connection to the district will be an asset to the school board. 

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

I am connected to the community and district in many ways, going back to my children starting out in ECFE programs and progressing all the way to their graduations in recent years.  I have served in many volunteer roles at the school and district level before my election to the board in 2021.  My substitute bus driving gives me a connection to students in all of our schools unlike anyone else. I may be the only candidate who has been in every neighborhood and on every mile of our roads and had an impact on students throughout the district. 

What are your priorities?

My top three priorities are strategic planning, facilities and student academic and mental health needs. Strategic planning supports high academic standards and creates a framework for future decision making. Quality facilities support learning. We must accommodate population growth and anticipate the need for new schools before overcrowding becomes a bigger problem. Students and teachers are working hard to overcome pandemic setbacks and mental health challenges. They need support, stability and effective tools to move forward.

Eva Lee

Why are you running for the school board?

I am running for the school board to help continue the good work the current board has achieved.  I've always been called to serve my community and as a licensed teacher, I am excited for the opportunity to serve the community at this level.  I feel that every student in the district deserves a high quality education that prepares them for a 21st century workplace and world. 

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

As a current district substitute teacher, I bring a unique voice to the board table.  I've had the opportunity to sub at every grade level and in nearly every building.  As a licensed teacher and sub, I have my finger on the pulse of the district in a way others do not. 

What are your priorities?

My priorities are to help create a district where every student feels welcomed and seen for who they are.  I hope to help foster a love of learning in our students by offering quality courses that are exciting to our learners.  I hope to help govern the district and continue on with the positive direction the district is headed.  

Allision Sherman

Why are you running for the school board?

I am seeking reelection to the Stillwater Area School Board to: Work in partnership with district staff and community stakeholders to continue to improve student achievement. Ensure the district’s limited financial resources of the district are spent for the benefit of students. Promote the social and emotional health and well-being of all students and staff. Benefit every student at every grade level wherever they attend school with clear, decisive action. Lead through the respectful sharing of ideas that produce thoughtful solutions based on the facts and guided by an unwavering commitment to our students. Represent the whole district with an open mind and with a commitment to doing my best for all.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

I was elected to the ISD 834 school board in 2020. During the last two years I have served in leadership roles on the board including board chair and vice chair, participated in several committees including finance and operations, and successfully completed school board member training and professional development. Before my election I regularly attended school board business, learning, and finance and operations working group meetings. Seeing an opportunity to increase community engagement around the issues and decisions directly impacting students and families, I started writing and publishing meeting summaries to help community members stay informed without sitting through lengthy board meetings. I’ve been writing my district summaries for nearly four years, and I’m proud to have made a positive impact building awareness and encouraging participation in the school board’s decision-making process. Our schools are stronger when we have more community members engaged.

What are your priorities?

My No. 1 goal as a school board director is to work collaboratively with fellow board directors, administration, community members, and students and families to support the academic success and emotional and physical well-being of every district student in the district’s care. 

This goal is best accomplished by first prioritizing the creation of a new strategic plan. Our district’s current plan is expiring; developing a new plan will address changing and urgent needs regarding our students’ academic achievement, curriculum, professional development, school safety, social emotional supports, special programming, facilities, operations, and other areas identified since the pandemic. 

Creating a strategic plan offers the opportunity for all community stakeholders to coalesce around the identified goals that represent our shared vision of what we want for the future of schools. Most importantly, this plan will include concrete action steps, benchmarks, indicators of progress, and other components that ensure alignment toward these goals.  

Philip St. Ores

Why are you running for the school board?

Stillwater District 834 has had nine years of declining test scores.  1000's of parents have pulled their children from this district, more want their children out of 834 but are limited by the waitlist of other schools.  The waitlist of these schools is public data.  teacher union endorsed incumbent candidates win approx. 90% of the time -  if one plots teacher union control over school boards with the decline of the American Public Education System, union influence correlates with the decline of the public school systems.  If you do not believe this, look it up.  third grade mca reading scores show 48.5% do not meet minimum reading standards.   Math scores declined from 72% in 2013 to 41% in 2022.  Research shows conclusively, once a child falls behind they do not catch up.  Our society is failing the young.  1000's of research studies, over time, show a very high correlation between adult happiness, income, relationship satisfaction and almost every other positive aspect of adult life - the profound impact of a proper education.  The MN Dept of Education has performance metrics on 834 - I spent a lot of time researching them.  District 834 has them, they just do not publish them....   I am running to fix this.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

I have 30 years of technical executive experience - mostly leading global, transformational change projects.  I improve organizational performance.  Additionally, I have direct experience with computer based learning management systems which would be leveraged to mass customized learning programs for students needing to be caught up, average students turning them into above average students and advanced students being even more advanced.  My financial/budget background would manage the taxpayer dollar better, but mostly, my strategic planning experience would be of most help. My education includes: BA, MBA, SEC license, political science, computers, economics and significant continuous learning I have been given by all the wonderful companies I have been lucky to work for.   District 834 is 11% in our state, our state is 7 in the nation, our nation is rated globally in reading, math and science between 22 and 36th - depending on which tests you look at.   How did we fall so far?  Time for a change.

What are your priorities?

I will set a goal to be "No. 1 in Minnesota" in academics - and build a strategic plan to achieve this.  All children will be safe to go to school.  Schools will focus on learning.  Children will be prepared for post high school.

Andrew Thelander

Why are you running for the school board?

I am running for a 4-year seat on the Stillwater Area School Board because I have a passion for service, care deeply about our public schools, and have a demonstrated commitment to actively serving our communities. I am in support of a well-rounded educational experience for all students and have a vested interest in the success of our district as I have two children who are proud Ponies and attend elementary school at Stillwater Area Public Schools. With my background in business and finance, I understand the need to be responsible stewards of district finances and taxpayer dollars, but I also believe we have a shared responsibility to wisely invest in our student’s long-term success. I would be grateful to have the opportunity to be a responsible, peaceful voice on the Stillwater Area School Board.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

As a parent of two elementary-aged children, I bring an important perspective and unique voice to the school board for other young families in the school district. I am curious and highly motivated to learn and find new ways to make our school district better. In my professional career, I have a fiduciary obligation to my clients, so I understand the importance of performing my duties in utmost good faith and putting forth those interests before my own.

My integrity will be my most important asset as a school board member. I enjoy and understand the role of serving on an effective governance board. This along with my business and finance experience combined with my track record of successful board leadership roles make me a worthy candidate to serve on the ISD 834 School Board.

What are your priorities?

My No. 1 goal as a board member is to focus on responsible governance to foster a culture of stability that serves the greater good of our students, schools and communities in the best way possible. To improve student performance and increase student achievement, we need to support excellence in teaching and learning initiatives to meet the unique needs and interests of every student in our district. To best engage and honor the journey of each of our students through our public school system, we need to support diverse offerings of courses, extracurricular activities, integrated support services, vocational training and other district learning programs. Lastly, we need to responsibly address our district’s continued growth and diversity by ensuring that all Ponies in ISD 834 have access to safe, effective and equitable learning environments.

Stillwater area board, special election

Lawrence A. Becking and Beverly Petrie are on the ballot for the special election. One member will be elected to serve a two-year term to fill a vacancy expiring January 26, 2022. 

Lawrence A. Becking

Why are you running for the school board?

For the past several years I have noticed that the academic levels in our schools have been declining. Students are graduating without the necessary skills to compete in the adult world, regarding Math, Reading and science. If we are going to keep America strong and compete on a world stage, we need to change our trajectory.

What specific strengths do you bring to this roll?

I grew up on a farm, so I know what hard work is, I served in the military, so I know what discipline is, and I spent over 30 years in the financial industry. I know how to use money wisely.    

What are your priorities?

My No. 1 priority is to get "Back to the basics." I will be talking with teachers, students and parents to bring them all together and get our children back to being No. 1.

Beverly Petrie

Why are you running for the school board? 

Since I was elected in 2020, the School Board has accomplished a lot. We have added on to Brookview Elementary and changed elementary school attendance boundaries to ease overcrowding caused by the growth in the south part of the district. We persuaded the community to renew its longstanding levy that provides more than 12% of the day-to-day expenses of the district. We also persuaded the community to approve the first-ever levy to provide for technology infrastructure and learning technology. We hired a new superintendent who is 2022 Superintendent of the Year for Minnesota. We fixed some serious issues with transportation by hiring a new busing vendor. But there is much that remains to be done. And I believe that continuity and stability on the school board are critical elements for success when we have a new superintendent.

What specific strengths do you bring to this role?

I have been a supporter of our local public schools, and have worked to support the district, for more than 25 years. I have volunteered in my children’s schools, participated on districtwide task forces, led levy efforts, and worked for many years to raise funds for enrichment programs in Stillwater area schools. I know this district well, including the warts. I am able to celebrate the great things about Pony Nation while working to fix the things that need fixing. 

What are your priorities?

We have an expiring strategic plan that must be updated. It is foolhardy to rush forward with a to-do list if we don't know where--as a community--we want our schools to end up. Working on a strategic plan is especially important since we have a new superintendent who is new to our community. I believe my institutional knowledge of this district and its history over the past 25 years will be useful in this process. 2) We MUST address student achievement. Although Stillwater students continue to exceed state averages on the many achievement measures we track, that is not sufficient. We must do better, and now that we have a new leader who believes in a systems approach to improvement, I believe we're going to see those improvements. 3) We must continue to address the unrelenting growth in the south part of the district. A quick drive through Lake Elmo and Woodbury reveal that farms are turning into developments on a daily basis. That development is bringing welcome diversity to our community, but we must figure out where all those new students are going to go to school. 

For more information visit https://www.stillwaterschools.org/our-district/school-board