(from press release)
Three school-board candidates have been endorsed by the Sartell Education Association for election to three open seats on the Sartell-St. Stephen School Board this Nov. 5.
The candidates endorsed are incumbent board members Tricia Meling and Matt Moehrle, as well as new contender Chelsea Thielen.
The SEA is a bargaining unit that represents licensed teachers in the Sartell area. It includes classroom teachers; art, music and physical-education specialists; content-area specialists, special-education teachers and registered nurses.
In late July, an SEA committee met with an Education Minnesota representative to compile a list of questions for school-board candidates. Those questions were then reviewed by the SEA executive board, modified slightly and were emailed to all six of the officially registered candidates on Aug. 14.
Candidate Aaron Alexander did not reply. Candidates Michael Ringstad and Michael Gruber chose not to participate. The other three candidates were all given 12 in-depth questions. Though only three of the six candidates replied, the SEA stated its members did not take the endorsement process lightly.
The candidates’ answers below are shortened, but their full answers are available by request at seaunion7234@gmail.com.
Service mindset
Theilen: “I believe in being a part of the change one wants to see in the world . . . My daughters inspire me.”
Meling: “My husband’s service to our country inspired me to serve as well.”
Moehrle: “My mindset [is] that this is a community service role.”
School involvement
Theilen: “I have actively attended numerous (school-board) meetings (since the last election) and realized the most important qualification is a genuine commitment to our students, staff and district, which I deeply possess.”
Meling: I (substitute) teach in our schools. I find this work so rewarding and valuable. Seeing with my own eyes the struggles and daily triumphs of our staff and students has provided me with a great base of information.”
Moerhle: “I (stay informed) by being present at school facilities as much as possible . . . I was an elementary-classroom volunteer at PME . . . I’ve coached youth sports for my kids . . . I took every chance I could to sit in on staff meetings in the schools.”
Student driven
Theilen: “By supporting student voices and fostering a culture of respect and empathy, we can ensure every student and staff member feels valued and secure . . . I am passionate about involving students in decision making. I would like to hear more from the school-board student representatives, student-led organizations, Sartell Middle School and Sartell High School student councils and offer channels where students can submit feedback, concerns or recommendations.
Meling: “I value student voices and their lived experience . . . Our district as a whole needs to continue to listen to our student voices. Parent and student experience is so important.”
Moerhle: “One thing I’ve always done – and will continue to do – is listen to students’ opinions on school district issues.”
Non-partisan thinking
Theilen: “I consider my greatest strengths to be empathy, curiosity and open-mindedness. I am analytical and enjoy geeking out on details, whether it be data or contract/policy language . . . Listening to diverse viewpoints is key to making informed and balanced decisions.”
Meling: “I seek to understand a problem from multiple points of view. I put students first when making a decision.”
Moerhle: “I’ve always firmly believed that non-partisan elected positions were that way for a good reason. (I am) pragmatic, (have) a non-partisan approach to the role of board members and an ability to collect information and analyze possible solutions to make well-informed decisions.”
Support teachers:
Theilen: “(We should) involve employees in decision-making when able and ensure open and honest communication.”
Meling: “I value all our staff and honor the knowledge and experience they bring to the table.”
Moerhle: “…the thing that probably sets one district apart from another is the feeling of community amongst the workforce. This goes beyond just having a good ‘workplace culture’ and gets more to the sense of purpose, belonging, support and connection the employees feel for one another.”
