Brainerd Public Schools School Board Member (ISD 181)
What does this office do?
- Deciding how school district money is spent
- Picking the superintendent
- Choosing curriculum, within state rules
Affects: Government Efficiency, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control,
Candidates:
Nonpartisan
Connie Lyscio serves on the Baxter City Council and taught physical education in Brainerd schools for 31 years. She wants to recruit and keep strong teachers and to spend school tax money carefully and openly.
Records: Public Infrastructure 2 for, Public Education Quality 1 for
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
DJ Dondelinger is vice chair of the Brainerd school board and owns Dondelinger Automotive. He wants to keep students and good teachers in the district and focus schools on core academics and life skills.
Records: Civil Rights 1 against, Government Spending Reduction 1 for, Public Education Quality 1 for
Nonpartisan
Ed Shaw is a Brainerd attorney and business owner, the parent of two district students and secretary of a middle school parents group. He wants voters, not the board, to decide on an operating levy and wants to limit the harm of budget cuts to students.
Nonpartisan
Mark Lelwica is president and co-owner of Roundhouse Brewery and spent years as a stay-at-home father volunteering in his children's Brainerd schools. He wants to help grow and support district staff and students and to have the board listen to all sides before deciding.
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Randy "RJ" Heidmann is clerk of the Brainerd school board and has worked as a substitute teacher in the district. He wants safe schools where students learn without bullying and a long-range plan to keep the district on stable financial footing.
Records: Civil Rights 2 against, Government Spending Reduction 1 for, 1 against, Public Education Quality 2 for
Nonpartisan · Incumbent
Sarah Speer chairs the Brainerd school board and is a district parent with a background in journalism, education, marketing and public relations. She wants every student to have rigorous, well-rounded options and careful, open oversight of district money.
Records: Government Spending Reduction 3 against, Public Education Quality 2 for
Nonpartisan
Scott Parsons runs an insurance agency, taught in Brainerd schools and coached football and strength training at Brainerd High School for decades. He wants to protect academic, arts and sports programs and bring the community together on school safety and falling enrollment.
Sources: isd181.org2