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School Boards Impact Real Lives

School boards help shape the policies, priorities, and future of our local schools and communities.

School board decisions can have a lasting impact on LGBTQIA2S+ students, families, and staff. Boards make decisions about policies, budgets, curriculum, student support, and the overall school environment.

Your vote is your voice. Take the time to learn about the candidates and make the choice that's right for you.



The information on this page is intended to help voters understand their local school board elections. It is non-partisan and does not endorse or oppose any candidate.
 

Education Resources


 

Sign up for a Prism Organizing Online School Board Information Session

Sign Up for an Info Session

See your ballot and get more information about voting

Visit mnvotes.org

Statewide School Board Candidate Filing Results

See the MN School Board Filings

Learn About the School Board in Your City

Click the relevant link below to jump to information on your school district.

ALEXANDRIA  |  AUSTIN  |  BUFFALO / HANOVER / MONTROSE  |  BURNSVILLE  |  CHISAGO LAKES  |  DETROIT LAKES  |  EASTERN CARVER COUNTY  |  EDEN PRAIRIE  |  EDINA  |  ELK RIVER  |  ELY  |  FARIBAULT  |  FOREST LAKE  |  GRAND RAPIDS  |  HASTINGS  |  HUTCHINSON  |  LAKEVILLE  |  MAHTOMEDI  |  MINNEWASKA  |  OSSEO  |  OWATONNA  |  PRIOR LAKE / SAVAGE  |  ROCHESTER  |  STILLWATER  |  WHITE BEAR LAKE
 

ALEXANDRIA

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Alexandria Board of Education has 5 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 7 candidates have filed to run across five dedicated (though not geographically bounded) positions:

2026 Candidates

Nevin Brede


POSITION 2:
Nevin Brede

Maddie Elliott


POSITION 2:
Maddie Elliott

Laura Knudsen


POSITION 4:
Laura Knudsen

www.knudsenforkids.com

(incumbent)

Current Community Service:
Volunteer at my church; Safe Families for Children; Minnesota Parents Alliance
Sarah Moore


POSITION 4:
Sarah Moore

Shawn Reilly

(uncontested)
POSITION 3:
Shawn Reilly

www.facebook.com/shawn.reilly.75

(incumbent Clerk)

Current Community Service:
Alexandria Rotary Club Member
Maureen Eigen

(uncontested)

POSITION 5:

Maureen Eigen
https://maureeneigen.com

(incumbent Vice Chair)

Current Community Service:
Volunteer at my local church; Junior Achievement; Lincoln Parent Connections; Lunch Buddy; Lakes Country Service Cooperative Board Member.
Kyle Momsen

(uncontested)

POSITION 6:

Kyle Momsen
www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-momsen-43bb1b65/

 (incumbent)

Current Community Service:
Ducks Unlimited, Calvary Lutheran Church, Alexandria Public Schools, Former Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool.

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

AUSTIN

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Austin School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.

2026 Candidates

Carolyn Dube

Carolyn Dube

(incumbent)
Apple on stack of books

Myron Matthew Grage

Carol McAlister

Carol McAlister

(incumbent)
Peggy Young

Peggy Young

(incumbent)
Dan Zielke

Dan Zielke

(incumbent)

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

BUFFALO - HANOVER - MONTROSE

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Buffalo, Hanover, Montrose School Board has 3 of 9 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.

2026 Candidates

Apple on stack of books

Debra Dodge

Matt Hoffman

Matt Hoffman

(incumbent)
Apple on stack of books

Monica Kunkel

Bob Sansevere

Bob Sansevere

(incumbent)
Sheila Smude

Sheila Smude

(incumbent)

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

BURNSVILLE

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Burnsville Board of Education has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 7 candidates have filed to run.

2026 Candidates

Abigail Alt

Abigail Alt

(incumbent)
Lesley Chester

Lesley Chester

(incumbent)
Apple on stack of books

Bruce V. Henry

Scott Hume

Scott Hume

(incumbent)
Jason Jensen

Jason Jensen

Apple on stack of books

Chris Peach

Tyler Sachse
Tyler Sachse
(incumbent)

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

CHISAGO LAKES

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Chisago Lakes School Board has 3 of 6 seats up for election this fall, and 4 candidates have filed to run.

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

DETROIT LAKES

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Detroit Lakes School Board has 3 of 6 seats up for election this fall, and 9 candidates have filed to run.

2026 Candidates

Apple on stack of books

Emmeline Bartnes

Kurt Christianson

Kurt Christianson

Apple on stack of books

Tim Grzybowski

Gregory Mark Johnson

Gregory Mark Johnson

Apple on stack of books

Katie Large

Jonathan Melgaard

Jonathan Melgaard

Michelle Okeson
Michelle Okeson
(incumbent)
Mary Rotter

Mary Rotter

(incumbent)
Apple on stack of books

Janine Schneider

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

EASTERN CARVER COUNTY

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Eastern Carver County School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 9 candidates have filed to run.

2026 Candidates

Apple on stack of books

Chet Gunhus

Apple on stack of books

Jonathon Heinonen

Makiza Johnson

Makiza Johnson

Tim Klein

Tim Klein

(incumbent)
Ellie Krug

Ellie Krug

(incumbent)
Tracy Rundell

Tracy Rundell

Ken Salway
Ken Salway
Joe Scott

Joe Scott

(incumbent)
Jennifer Stone

Jennifer Stone

(incumbent)

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

EDEN PRAIRIE

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Eden Prairie School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 6 candidates have filed to run.

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

None Currently Scheduled


 
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s Co-Executive Director Oby Ballinger (oby@prismorganizing.org) for more information.


 

EDINA

2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS

The Edina School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.

Candidate Forums

Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
 

Morningside Neighborhood Association

Sunday, October 4, 2026
2:00 - 3:00 pm
Weber Park Building
4115 Grimes Avenue S., Edina, MN 55416 

www.edinamorningside.org/happening
 

Edina Parent Leadership Council

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
10:15 - 11:30 am
Edina Community Center – Board Room 349
5701 Normandale Road, Edina, MN 55424

https://sites.google.com/view/edinaplc/home