Getting schooled on school board

Class was in session Monday, although only four students showed up.

• Photos

The course? "Brainerd School Board 101."

Brainerd School Board member Lew Hudson, who has chosen not to run for re-election after nearly 16 years on the board, spoke Monday at an orientation session for people interested in running for school board. Filings for Brainerd School Board open Tuesday for three four-year terms and one two-year special term. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls » Purchase reprints of this photo.

On Monday, school administrators and three current board members held an orientation session for prospective candidates for the upcoming board election. On the ballot this fall are three four-year terms, currently held by Lew Hudson, Bob Nystrom and Ruth Nelson, and a special two-year term held by Molly Kurtzman. Filings open Tuesday and run through Sept. 8.

It was the first time the district hosted such an orientation, an opportunity for potential candidates to learn more about the job, the school district and to ask questions.

"Take this job seriously. This is serious business.

What we do will make a difference in this community, in this state ... You can make a difference in the lives of young people, and what better calling is that?"

Lew Hudson

Brainerd School Board

Four potential candidates came to Monday's meeting; two other community members were there as representatives of the League of Women Voters, who are planning debates for all local candidates seeking election this fall.

The four potential candidates who attended the session included Tom Haglin, a businessman from Nisswa; Bill Cruz, a Nisswa father who has two children in the district; Chris Robinson, a Baxter attorney who has two children in the district; and Tom Peterson of southeast Brainerd, who said he works in Little Falls and has lived in the district for about six years.

Hudson, who will have spent nearly 16 years on the board by the end of this term, said he will not seek re-election this fall. He has filed for candidacy in five school board elections. Board member Reed Campbell is now in his sixth year and Kent Montgomery is in his eighth year on the board. Each offered their advice.

"In this process, you have a choice of running against someone or running for the office; the latter is much wiser," Hudson said. "Trust me on this one, I've been in five campaigns - four successful and one was not. ... The school board does not educate kids. Educating kids is done by the faculty under the direction of the superintendent and administrators of the district - don't ever forget that point. You are a board member. The board essentially sets policy and direction for the district and administration carries it out. It becomes a team effort, but once the policy is set, the superintendent and his staff are those who direct it, the board does not.

"Take this job seriously. This is serious business. What we do will make a difference in this community, in this state - we hope - and where else, who knows. You can make a difference in the lives of young people, and what better calling is that?"

Campbell told the prospective candidates that they can expect to get phone calls at home and to make sure their employers are comfortable with them attending meetings during the work day. He said board members must communicate well with others, including the community, school staff and fellow board members.

"As a board member, you are one-sixth of the board," Montgomery said. "It's not one of us making those (decisions), it's all six of us. It really is a collective group process."

Hudson said that candidates for school board should not bring a single issue with them to the board since the position is more complex than that.

"Don't bring a private issue with you when you go on the board," Hudson said. "Just leave it. You'll hurt others, you'll hurt your cause. What are you bringing with you? Are there any issues? Be careful of that. If you have a vested interest, you're not going to have a happy time on the board."

Candidates who file for school board have to choose between filing for one of the three four-year terms or the single two-year term; they cannot run for both, Superintendent Steve Razidlo said.

For more school board election information, contact Janet Horn at 454-6912 or at janet.horn.isd181.org.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.