Prepared by the Edina School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism’s SW Suburbs regional lead Joe Larson (larsonjoe1106@gmail.com) for more information.
ELK RIVER
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Elk River School Board has 2 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
John R. Anderson
Earl Smith
Dan Solon
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
None Scheduled
Prepared by the school Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
ELY
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Ely School Board has 3 of 6 seats up for election this fall, and 6 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Steve Hornstein
John Kannas
Derekah Kingery
Bailey McLinn-Belehar
Joe Weise
Jennifer Westlund
(incumbent)
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
None Scheduled
Prepared by the school Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
FARIBAULT
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Faribault School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
John Bellingham
(incumbent)
Mike Cross
Dario Garcia
Melinda O'Connor
Richard Olson
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
None Scheduled
Prepared by the school Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
FOREST LAKE
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Forest Lake School Board has 3of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 6 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Mike Belz
Jill Christenson
(incumbent)
Andi Courneya
Claire Luger
Curt Rebelein, Jr.
(incumbent)
Sean Thomas
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
League of Women Voters Nonpartisan Forum
Submit questions by September 22
https://lwv-wbla.org/candidate-forums/
This is a closed forum which is recorded and posted online for viewing
https://lwv-wbla.org/candidate-forums/
This is a closed forum which is recorded and posted online for viewing
Prepared by the Edina School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism Organizing’s East Suburbs regional lead Lori James (lorihj351@gmail.com) for more information.
GRAND RAPIDS
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Grand Rapids School Board has 3 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
David Marty
(incumbent)
Christopher Reilly
Darren Romans
Brian Vroman
Dan Wolf
Prepared by the School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
HASTINGS
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Hastings School Board has 3 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 5 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Carrie Banaszewski Tate
(incumbent)
Jessica Dressely
(incumbent)
Melissa Kinneman
Mark A. Zuzek
(incumbent)
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
League of Women Voters
9/16/26 Candidate Forum
Recording to be posted soon
Recording to be posted soon
Hastings School Board Candidate Interview Responses
What is your connection to Hastings and/or its schools?
Melissa Kinneman
My son goes to school in Hastings and I have worked in the middle school under a contract.
Kendal Larson
I first became acquainted with Hastings in the late 1970s through a college roommate. I moved to the area four years ago. I was encouraged to run for the school board by community members and I believe my diverse background and public school education allows me to offer valuable input to ensure similar opportunities for current students.
Mark A. Zuzek
I was born and raised in Hastings. My Family has been in Hastings going back six generations. I am deeply embedded in the community. I have a history of working in schools and working on other boards, besides ISD 200, such as the local hospital, YMCA, and Intermediate 917 where I was superintendent. In 2015, while I was principal at Hastings Middle School, I started noticing trends in demographic changes across racial, cultural, socioeconomic statuses, and that there are a greater number of students who identify as lgbtq+. In my various roles, I have made sure that the needs of students and staff feel welcome and we provide space for them.
What role should the school board play in making sure LGBTQIA2S+ students, teachers, and staff feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves at school?
Melissa Kinneman
I believe you lead by example when making sure LGBTQIA2+ individuals feel safe, respected, and able to be themselves. I believe the school board can support by making sure policies are in place that show clear rules and expectations for everyone in regards to anti bullying, inclusive culture, and allowing students to use preferred names and pronouns. We need to listen to concerns and the school board should provide resources and training for staff in order to provide a safe space and place us all on the same standard.
Kendal Larson
I advocate for a policy of universal human respect, regardless of gender, race, or status. Mutual respect must be promoted at every level from the board down to the students. Sexuality is not a choice and I believe that every individual deserves an equal opportunity to thrive.
Mark A. Zuzek
The school board needs to stay in their lane. I was a founding member of Thrive, a DEI initiative in Hastings, so I have a strong history with equity work. Policy should reflect the need to set up all students for safety and respect. Equity is about identifying and eliminating barriers, and that should be our pursuit for each individual student. School boards establish and monitor policy. Administration develops protocols and procedures to implement and enforce policy.
What is your view on the district's nondiscrimination and anti-bullying policies as they apply to sexual orientation and gender identity?
Melissa Kinneman
I would improve the anti-bullying policy. I think it lacks a clear set of consequences as well as good ways of responding to those situations. It would be helpful to elaborate more and expand to be more conclusive on how we respond. This helps foster a culture and environment of “All Are Welcome” and creates a safe place.
Kendal Larson
I view "fairness" as the foundational principle. No child should face bullying or harassment for any reason, including gender or sexuality. It is my intention to ensure board impact reflects the value of treating every student equally and impartially.
Mark A. Zuzek
I am proud of our non discrimination and anti-bullying policies. Policy 505 allows us to keep taking anti discrimination and bullying seriously. The principle of equity should be at the center and it is understood that it is wrong to treat people poorly.
What is your view on teachers, staff, and students displaying inclusive symbols, like Pride flags or safe-space stickers, in classrooms?
Melissa Kinneman
I support individuals putting symbols in their own spaces that show that they are safe people for children to be themselves. I understand that it can be a complex issue and I respect that. I just know that for so many kids they need to mask who they are in order to feel safe in school and I find that so unfortunate. Symbols that say “I’m safe” to be who you are can be so validating.
Kendal Larson
First Amendment rights make this a complex issue. I am concerned that evocative symbols, such as Pride flags, Trump/MAGA flags, or confederate flags can be disruptive. My position is that the board should seek legal counsel before setting specific policies on larger symbols to avoid litigation and ensure constitutional compliance.
Mark A. Zuzek
While there is the current issue involving flags, which can be divisive when they support a single political, ideological, or religious perspective. “Safe space stickers” that identify adults who are safe to talk to about complex issues and are trained to help students discern the challenging circumstances they are managing are okay.
Federal rules and laws and state statutes dictate we need to allow students their free speech rights, while we also recognize the limitations for our staff as public employees. School boards are in a difficult spot, and developing a policy that respects that is important.
Federal rules and laws and state statutes dictate we need to allow students their free speech rights, while we also recognize the limitations for our staff as public employees. School boards are in a difficult spot, and developing a policy that respects that is important.
What process should the district use for challenges to books and materials that are available in school libraries?
Melissa Kinneman
I’m concerned about the current backlash, and a huge issue has been people making decisions based on their own belief system on what people should have access to read. Experts, such as librarians, are trained to be able to supply developmentally appropriate books and those that have educational value. Books are important and shouldn’t be removed based on belief systems that make them feel uncomfortable. A diverse committee is an appropriate way to address challenges to books and materials.
Kendal Larson
I support following established professional protocols and Minnesota Department of Education guidelines. I believe the board’s role is to work with the superintendent to hire excellent professionals, such as librarians and administrators, and trust their expertise in reviewing books for age-appropriateness and curricular fit. I’ve met the superintendent and other staff and they are all smart, top-notch professionals. Policy 606.5 is the correct framework and the board needs to practice empathetic listening to parental input without allowing one parent to dictate terms for the whole district.
Mark A. Zuzek
The school board’s voice in the process should be limited and trust the expert professionals that are more qualified in providing books in the libraries. It is important for the board to ask good questions. Policy 606.5 is the appropriate and good place for that discussion. While families can decide what their child reads and is exposed to, they can’t decide what other people’s children should read and be exposed to. There are kids whose life experience is more confined and protected leaving their awareness and perspective not being broad while other kids have experience with vastly different things and have questions that others might not think about. Our current policies do a good job of outlining a process for adopting materials into different school settings. Appropriately, the process differs for curriculum adoption, library adoption, and classroom library adoption. There is an appeal process and parents have the ability to help manage what resources their child has access to.
What supports should the district have in place for students, teachers, or staff who experience bullying or harassment related to their identity?
Melissa Kinneman
Trust and protection is very important. Clear consequences and training for staff helps foster this dynamic. There should be a very clear and accessible way for people to have access to resources. Students need a safe space to help them deal with issues. We need to train staff to help them understand what words or statements would be considered harassment or bullying.
Kendal Larson
The existing policies, Policy 536 (Gender Inclusion), Policy 413 (Harassment and Violence), and Policy 514 (Bullying), do a good job supporting these efforts. Eliminating Policy 100, addressing equity, was a disappointment. I view the board's role as high-level policy creation and oversight rather than micromanagement, ensuring professionals have the tools to implement these protections effectively.
Mark A. Zuzek
The school board must make sure that they develop and maintain a climate where all people feel welcomed and respected where they can bring their whole self to work or school. Everybody needs to feel safe and completely included. Three pillars in this work are physical, emotional, and mental well-being, and should be at the center of that support.
If the district faced community backlash or funding threats over policies supporting LGBTQIA2S+ students, how would you respond as a board member?
Melissa Kinneman
What is right is right. Even if it impacts funding we can’t cave to threats. We must have a moral high ground and advocate for student’s rights.
Kendal Larson
I would approach backlash with respect, empathy, and fairness. While I value parental control and input, I maintain that student access must be protected. Decisions should be based on facts and professional reviews rather than community pressure.
Mark A. Zuzek
Policy 100, the equity policy containing DEI efforts helped to keep kids safe. Concerns about the district losing money due to having a policy on DEI was an inappropriate reason to not continue to have policy 100. It is the school board’s responsibility to help keep kids safe. The district’s strategic plan includes equity, but there’s more work to be done. Policy 100 was more explicit and direct. Students suffer harassment, hazing, and bullying at school and on-line for many reasons. They often tolerate sticks and arrows that we as staff are unaware of. They need heroes and advocates. As school board members, we need to provide policies and set clear expectations as we represent the broader community.
What is your vision for school resources dedicated to student inclusion work,
ensuring that every student, regardless of background or identity, can thrive?
ensuring that every student, regardless of background or identity, can thrive?
Melissa Kinneman
It is important that we understand what people are experiencing. Resources could be as simple as having access to books or opportunities for plays that show different cultures and backgrounds that help to provide empathy. Having an area in the library that provides access to different books that help learn about different backgrounds and cultures of their own. There are many different paths of inclusion and we should strengthen all opportunities.
Kendal Larson
My vision is to provide a springboard for students to enter a modern workforce, including trades, agriculture (drones/GPS), and AI-driven business. I aim to replicate the high-quality education I received, ensuring Hastings ISD 200 prepares kids for a globalized, high-tech future. Fairness is the foundation giving our students the possibility to learn from our highly qualified professionals.
Mark A. Zuzek
We should repeatedly train all staff as things change and it’s important for staff to be clear with kids on what’s accepted and expected. Retaining an inclusive culture and climate is the primary goal because if kids don’t feel safe and included they can’t learn. There is some work to do for the culture in our buildings, but our training, discipline process, and our mental health team will lead us on the right path. Our goal is that each and every child can thrive as they bring their “whole self” to school each day.
Prepared by the Hastings School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism Organizing's East Suburbs regional lead Lori James (lorihj351@gmail.com) for more information.
HUTCHINSON
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Hutchinson School Board has 3 of 6 seats up for election this fall, and 4 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Tiffany Barnard
Garrett Luthens
(incumbent)
Danny Olmstead
(incumbent)
Lisa Rasmussen
Prepared by the Hastings School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
LAKEVILLE
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES & FORUMS
The Lakeville School Board has 4 of 7 seats up for election this fall, and 8 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Carly Anderson
(incumbent)
Nathaniel Bliss
Drew Christianson
Laura Fangel
Mel Joseph
Tony Reichenberger
(incumbent)
Angie Skavnak
Brian Thompson
(incumbent)
Prepared by the Hastings School Board task force of Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota.
MAHTOMEDI
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
The Mahtomedi School Board has 3 of 6 seats up for election this fall. 4 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Ryan Domin
(incumbent)
Erica Engelbert-Hensel
Jenny Peterson
(incumbent)
Allyson Sellwood
Candidate Forums
Hear from candidates, learn about the issues, and prepare to vote your values.
League of Women Voters Nonpartisan Forum
Submit questions by September 22
https://lwv-wbla.org/candidate-forums/
This is a closed forum which is recorded and posted online for viewing
https://lwv-wbla.org/candidate-forums/
This is a closed forum which is recorded and posted online for viewing
Prepared by Prism Organizing Network, developing leaders for LGBTQIA2S+ safety, dignity, and freedom across Minnesota. Contact Prism Organizing’s East
Suburbs regional lead Lori James (lorihj351@gmail.com) for more information.
Suburbs regional lead Lori James (lorihj351@gmail.com) for more information.
MINNEWASKA
2026 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
The Minnewaska School Board has 3 of 7 seats up for election this fall. 7 candidates have filed to run.
2026 Candidates
Meagan Jensen
Zachery Lagred
(incumbent)
Bill Mills
Kayla Nelson
Jon Recker
Ted Reichmann
(incumbent Chair)
Kemma Wing
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.