by Joni Astrup
Associate Editor
Four of the six candidates vying for three seats on the Elk River Area School Board squared off Tuesday in a congenial forum.
Joel Nelson, John Parker, Kristian Mortenson and Christi Tullbane participated in the forum. Gary Kowalkowski and incumbent Holly Thompson were unable to be there.
Nelson is an executive pastor at Gateway Church in Elk River. He and his wife have two daughters and live in Ramsey. He said his daughters have done well in the Elk River Area School District and he looks forward to continuing that quality education.
Parker, of Elk River, is a stay-at-home dad to four sons, ages 2, 4, 5 and 8. He also has a 24-year-old daughter and two grandchildren. His wife is a registered nurse at Allina Health. He previously repaired aircraft in the U.S. Air Force, set up and ran machinery in the printing industry, worked as an auto repair technician, built race cars for a living and has been in supervisory and leadership positions. He said he would bring common sense, a level head, an open mind and a willingness to listen to the position.
Mortenson teaches accounting at the University of St. Thomas. He has three daughters going to schools in the district and said he and his wife are excited about the education that they are getting in local schools.
He and his family have lived in the area for about three years.
Mortenson said he would like to offer what he can — skills and education — to help contribute.
Tullbane has lived in Rogers for nine years. She and her husband have three daughters. Tullbane volunteers at Hassan Elementary, chairs the District 728 Community Education Board of Directors and helped develop The Loft program for middle schoolers. She works part time for Custom Spirit-wear. She said she is seeking the board position to advocate for students and families, provide support for teachers and administrators and to help with communication.
The forum was sponsored by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce, held at Elk River City Hall and moderated by Mark Urista. It will be rebroadcast on ERTV Channel 180.
Candidates field questions
Candidates were asked what role public education should play in solving the problem of businesses unable to find employees with the right attitude and skills who are ready to work.
Parker said public schools should play a big part. He also likes the idea of bringing back high school industrial arts programs.
Mortenson said schools need to educate students to make good choices and let them know what their postsecondary options are. ”It’s important that we prepare them for success in whatever they do,” he said. “If we can produce that kind of work force, they’ll find good-fitting jobs (and) they will provide what the economy needs.”
Tullbane likes the idea of an aptitude test to help students determine their strengths. She also sees a great opportunity to provide life skills in high school.
Nelson said public schools must strive to send out graduates prepared for their future plans, whether that’s higher education, going into the work force or another path. High school can also help instill useful habits like punctuality and proper work ethics, he said.
Asked about school safety measures, Nelson favors looking at more and different ways to protect kids.
“I think we’ve got a great start, but I don’t think that we’re finished there yet,” he said.
Parker said safety is a top priority. He attended inner city schools in Flint, Michigan, which was a dangerous place, and said that personal security and situational awareness were an everyday fact for him.
Fortunately, Elk River Area Schools are not at that point, he said. That said, he thinks a little more could be done to beef up security, but cautioned not to go overboard and scare kids.
Mortenson said the school locked-door policies are great. There could be threats from both outside and inside the school, and outside threats certainly need to be monitored. As for internal threats, he believes the School Board, principals, teachers and staff could help recognize students who are in danger, facilitate conversation, teach kids how to express themselves and help them feel part of the community. If they feel part of the community, they’re not going to want to harm the community, he said.
Tullbane said the schools have done a great job addressing potential threats from the outside. That being said, she’d like to see schools have some sort of defense. “I’m not saying a firearm, but I am saying some form of defense rather than the hide-and-seek game because I feel that can leave children in a vulnerable situation,” she said.
Within the system, she said schools have done a great job addressing bullying.
With the Elk River Area School District seeking a new superintendent after the departure of Mark Bezek, candidates were asked what qualities they would look for in that person.
Tullbane is interested in hiring a superintendent who has proven him or herself and someone with a new approach that potentially has been proven elsewhere. She also would like the person to develop strong relationships within the community and to be a strong leader able to make tough decisions.
Nelson is looking for a cheerleader for the district and a person who is above reproach who would inspire kids to want to be like him or her.
He also is looking for an individual who is even-tempered, prudent with finances and relates well with teachers, board members and others.
He said he’s open to looking at candidates who may come from somewhere other than an educational standpoint.
Parker said leadership skills are key. He would like to hire a superintendent who would involve the community, inspire people, see where the district needs to go and have the skills to run a large organization.
Mortenson would look for a person who is a good listener, as part of leadership is to listen and learn what concerns exist.
He also would like a person who can make tough decisions, connect with people, have a good working relationship with the School Board and principals and be open to critique.
Given the steep learning curve that school board members face, candidates were asked what their strategy would be.
Mortenson said he is a Type A personality and when he gets involved with something, he goes after it.
Tullbane said she has a background in early childhood education and has managed child care centers. She enjoys discussion, brainstorming, comparing different ideas and advocating for everyone.
Nelson said he doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder or an ax to grind, but would listen and learn and bring a commonsense approach to the board.
He also would like to improve communication so people understand why the School Board makes the decisions it does.
Parker said, “You start with ‘I don’t know’ and you can learn from there.” He also said he tends to dive deep into subjects he finds interesting and has a desire to know “why.” When you don’t have all the answers, he said, you use your resources to find those answers.
Remaining candidate forums set for Oct. 11 and 13
Additional candidate forums sponsored by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce are coming up next week. They include:
•Tuesday, Oct. 11: 7-8:30 p.m. Legislative District 30 (House and Senate). In Senate District 30, Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, will be at the forum, but her DFL challenger, P.J. LaCroix, will not. In House District 30A, Rep. Nick Zerwas, R-Elk River, and DFL challenger Sarah Hamlin will be present, as will House District 30B Rep. Eric Lucero, R-Dayton, and his DFL challenger Margaret Fernandez.
•Thursday, Oct. 13: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Congressional District 6 (U.S. House). Congressman Tom Emmer, R-Minnesota, and challenger David Snyder plan to be at the forum.
Mark Urista will moderate the forum on Oct. 13 and Ben Bauman will moderate the Oct. 11 event.
The forums will take place at Elk River City Hall, 13065 Orono Parkway, and will be recorded live and rebroadcast.