Residents of ISD 831 will be asked to go to the polls Tuesday, Sept. 13 with the task of setting the final six candidates for the Nov. 8 school board election.

Eight candidates will be on the ballot next Tuesday and the top six in the balloting move on to the November school board election. Three seats on the school board, each for four-year terms, will be elected Nov. 8.

The names of the eight primary candidates are listed below followed by a general statement and preview for the candidates as submitted at the request of the newspaper. (A separate story in this issue will provide a list of voting precincts and other important facts related to the election.)

The candidates on Sept. 13 are: Julie A. Corcoran, 6471 210th Lane N., Forest Lake; David Gay, 22760 Ideal Ave. N., Forest Lake; Dan Kieger, 7710 Marilyn Dr., Lino Lakes; Jody Krebs, 7509 172nd Ave., Columbus; Eric Michael Langness, 9610 N. 223rd St., Forest Lake; Bill Schell, 22680 Jeffrey Ave., Forest Lake N.; Michele J. Dewitt, 22920 Hayward Ave. N., Forest Lake: and Amy Clauson, 10531 216th St. N., Scandia.

Clauson did not respond to the newspaper questionnaire and did not return a telephone message late last week.

Candidates were asked to briefly state their reason for seeking election and list their qualifications to serve on the school board.

Dan Kieger

1. I have lived in the Forest Lake school district 20 years. I have four children, three who have graduated from Forest Lake and one in junior high. I am very proud to be a part of this community.

The school board has the responsibility of forming school budgets and policies that will determine the future of our children. We need to have the best teachers possible in manageable class sizes, and provide them with the tools to teach our children. As parents, teachers and administrators we have to hold ourselves accountable so our kids can receive the best education possible to be productive citizens.

I will work for and vote for what I believe is the best for kids even if it is not considered status quo. I will see what is working elsewhere and try to learn from other school district experiences and incorporate it into our decisions. No child left behind should mean exactly that. We cannot let kids sneak through the cracks and those who excel need to be offered the opportunity to do so.

2. I feel my family, work and community experiences make me qualified to be a member of the school board. My wife Linda and I live in Lino Lakes. We have been married 25 years and have four children and a grandson. I worked for Honeywell for 19 plus years as an installer, team lead and sales representative. For the past four years I have been self-employed, running my own small business.

I have coached all four of my kids in one sport or another. Iíve been on the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association board of directors for 12 years. I was president from 1997 until January of 2005. I am also on the buildings and grounds committee for the school board for the past five years. I enjoy being involved and work well with others.

Michele J. DeWitt

1. I am running for school board to serve the students, families, and community members with integrity. Academic excellence in our schools is a key strength of our community.

I seek election to further engage us all in the education of our youth and to enhance academic opportunities for students of all ages. The goals I am committed to meet include increased accountability, stronger beginnings with the school district, stronger transition points, stronger academics, and a stronger sense of belonging.

2. My qualifications to serve as a school board member for Forest Lake Area Schools include the following:

I have lived in the district for 34 years.

My community service and district involvement is extensive and spans a lifetime. My journey in District 831 began as a kindergarten student at Columbus Elementary, moving to Central Junior High School and continued as graduate of Forest Lake High School. Now my journey in our district has taken a new path with my oldest child at Scandia Elementary.

I have extensive knowledge of public education as a parent, as a teacher and as an assistant principal. My leadership skills include the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

As a school board member, I will be an active listener and a thoughtful decision maker, motivated by doing what is best for children.

Julie Corcoran

1. I want to contribute and make a difference to improve our childrenís education in the Forest Lake School District.

Being a parent in Forest Lake for 12 years I am aware of some of the issues that face our school today. I have talked to many parents over the last few months and these are some of the main areas of concern:

Retaining our qualified teachers; provide the best quality education for our children; reduce class sizes; reduce extracurricular fees and add back programs that have been cut; protect our tax dollar by making sure that district funds are spent wisely

I am a parent not a politician, who is trying to improve our school district and if elected I would address your concerns. I am not afraid of hard work for something I believe in. Now is the time for us, parents and taxpayers to ban together to have our voices heard!

2. I have lived in Forest Lake for over 19 years and I am well aware of the issues that face our district today.

I have three sons in the district and over the years I have been involved with many areas of Forest Lake.

I have volunteered my time on various committees: ECFE - Early Childhood Family Education; PTO President for Forest Lake Elementary; member of the Boundary Change Committee; and Community Education Advisory Member.

I have a broad background of experience and education that would help me to see all possible sides to an issue.

I graduated from Augsburg College with a degree in accounting and economics. I am currently employed at a local CPA office. I have worked in many areas of accounting and finance and would be conservative when it comes to spending district funds.

David Gay

1. I have been involved in education as a student, teacher and mentor. As a member of the Forest Lake School Board I would be able to use that experience to work on improving our schools.

Like all parents in our school district, I want our children to get the best education. As a resident of the community, I want to see that the school continues to improve how well it serves the community.

I will work to make sure that the classroom is the first priority and that we have a plan for success.

2. I am a seven-year resident of Forest Lake and a parent of four children who are or will be attending Forest Lake Schools.

I am currently working at Wells Fargo Bank as a database administrator. I have earned a Ph.D. in physics from Michigan Technological University, supervised Ph.D. students, taught courses at Globe College and mentored a recent Forest Lake High School graduate.

With my broad experience, I will make a valuable contribution to the school district and the community.

Jody Krebs

1. I am seeking reelection because I continue to be a concerned taxpayer and interested parent.

We have one child who is a 2001 graduate of Forest Lake High School and three children currently in District 831 schools. I want the best educational programs possible for all our children. I am willing to continue to devote my time and efforts to do the best job I can for the benefit of our children and families.

Building a strong and effective school board takes constant work and dedication. I feel I am a positive piece of that process.

2. Being a resident of Columbus Township and a taxpayer in ISD 831 qualifies me to run for school board. I have served our community for the past four years as your elected representative.

I have learned a great deal about how our educational system works. I have seen the thoughtful process of how curriculum is assessed, monitored and delivered in our school district. Over the past four years I have gained significant insight into funding mechanisms and how we are affected by federal, state and local government.

I have learned there are many ways to qualify for funding and it isnít always as cut and dried as it may seem.

I have served on the policy committee, the buildings and grounds committee and the curriculum and instruction committee for four years. My fellow board members elected me to carry out the duties of clerk for the board this past year. If I am reelected, I will continue to stay informed in these areas and keep our kids and families at the forefront of the decision-making process.

Bill Schell

1. As a father of a near school age child, a participant in early childhood education and occasional tutor in the communityís adult literacy programs, I see how our district benefits the entire community.

However, Iíve also seen the results of school funding levy votes during these times. Based on those results, itís clear the voters are not confident in the fiscal management of the district and we need to work hard to regain their faith.

As a three-year resident of the area, I recognize how our areaís growth presents an opportunity to develop one of the highest performing districts in the state. If elected to the school board, I will bring over 10 years of private sector experience in process improvement and fiscal management.

I know we all want to see our children receive the best education, even if it will cost a bit more. Because we know the opportunities education provides. As a member of the board of ISD 831, I can help ensure we all receive the best return on our education tax dollars.

2. My qualifications include: Bachelors and Masters degrees in Industrial and Management Engineering; Experience as an educator in a university setting and a variety of community and professional programs in Montana, Utah and Minnesota; over 10 years experience in identifying and leading process improvement programs.

As the son of a primary school and Head Start teacher, I understand the challenges our education system is facing.

Eric M. Langness

1. I am motivated by a commitment to develop partnerships with neighbors, organizations and businesses within and around the Forest Lake School District.

The next four years I envision change and want to be a part of developing the process and implementing the action.

Citizens can be ensured I will hold an open and accountable school board promoting balanced budgets that will sustain, not damage our youthís education. With voters support, I will help maintain our community schools while working to meet the challenges of the future.

A solid foundation in education administration gives me a background to achieve these goals.

2. My qualifications: 27 years old; Forest Lake resident for seven years, previously in Saint Paul for 20 years; college education, High-Tech Institute; single, no children; University of Saint Thomas, 1994-96; University of Minnesota, 1996-98; High-Tech Institute, 1998, Anthem College, 2004-05; 2005 Nominated College Faculty Member of Alpha Beta Kappa National Honor Society.

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