Six candidates are running for four seats on the North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School Board in November’s election.

General information about the Nov. 5, 2024, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Miriam Janechek

Age: 38

What would your top priorities be if elected? I will be focused on running the district with policies and procedures that reflect child development needs, research-backed academic models, and good business practices.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am an enthusiastic supporter of public education and I have 2 children attending school in the district. I have 5 years experience working at and with state departments of education, including the Minnesota Department of Education in the Statewide Assessments division. I am an expert on education data, an education policy enthusiast, and an advocate for balancing child development needs with academic rigor.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The role of government is to make laws and policies that reflect the will of the electorate and evaluate the impacts of laws and policies to mediate unforeseen side effects.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I am a professional collaborator; my expertise is in bringing all parties together to discuss, learn, and decide. I appreciate and celebrate opinions that differ because it is in the differences that we see our own misunderstandings or misconceptions.

Website or contact information: miriamjanechek.com

Nancy Livingston (incumbent)

Nancy Livingston.(Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 75

What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities are academic achievement, school safety, spending tax dollars wisely and supporting students, staff and teachers. school safety, supporting students, staff and teachers.

What qualifies you to hold this position? My past jobs include Minnesota Senate Education Committee Administrator, Century College administrator and Pioneer Press reporter. These experiences have given me knowledge and skills that make me an effective school board member.ttion Committee Administrator, Century College administrator and Pioneer Press reporter. Those experiences have given me a deep knowledge of public education and the important role of school boards.

What do you think is the primary role of government? Our government must keep us safe, provide reliable infrastructure and support schools that give students the opportunity for success in life.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? My background is in communication. My style is to listen and learn and then express my opinion. On the school board, we must reach consensus to be effective. is to listen and learn before expressing my opinion. is to listen, learn and then share my opinion respectfully.

Website or contact information: 651-777-9101. Email is nancylivingston9101@gmail.com.

Justin Middaugh

Justin Middaugh. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 54

What would your top priorities be if elected? Accountability, higher academics and test scores, mental health, finding ways to bring back the 30% of students that are not returning to school.

What qualifies you to hold this position? Local business owner, former girls’ basketball coach, Father of three daughters.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The school districts should always provide the tools, teaching and opportunities for every student to succeed. We need to bring back student accountability and consequences back to the schools. That is how children learn from bad behavior. We have to take a role in getting parents involved and engaged again. We also have to have our teachers backs and provide them the support to have a fun, healthy atmosphere in their classes.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I like to go straight to the sources, research, ask many questions and opinions with both proponents and opponents. We need to look at all ideas and possibilities in order to make the right choices.

Website or contact information: justinfor622.com

Charlotte (Char) Nitardy (incumbent)

Age: No response

What would your top priorities be if elected? 1. Academic Achievement (including closing the opportunity gap and learning loss during the pandemic) 2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advocate for ALL students, teachers and staff regardless of what they identify as. 3. School Safety so that parents can rest assured that their children are safe when they enter our buildings. 4. Increase the teacher pipeline to solve teacher shortage issue that is not only in our district but state wide.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a long-time resident of the district (30 years), have had 3 children that graduated from the district, and want to give back to the community. I also have a PhD in Education and teach Educational Psychology (for aspiring teachers) at a local University. I just completed my first term on the board and have learned a lot (especially during the pandemic). We faced many challenges including having to close schools, massive teacher and student absentees, shortage of substitute teachers, etc. All these led to the learning loss and the persisting teacher shortages. I am the best candidate because I understand why we are where we are and what we need to do to move forward.

What do you think is the primary role of government? At the local level (which is the office I am seeking), I think the role of the government is to listen to the will of the people and then balance it with the resources on hand such as budget and personnel to implement the people’s will. In other words, there is always a compromise that needs to be made.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I have a wide knowledge about issues in education. However, I am also aware that I don’t know everything. So, I am always happy to understand different perspectives as long as they are supported with evidence or best practices. If I disagree with people because of difference of opinion, then we agree to disagree, move on and continue working together.

Website or contact information: facebook.com/Vote4Charlotte/

Katie Swor

Katie Swor. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 42

What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities are closing the achievement gap, ensuring students’ safety and security, and preparing all students for a thriving post-secondary life. Closing the achievement gap means supporting students and their families, and working to alleviate burdens and drive success. Safety and security is physical safety as well as emotional safety so students can learn free from bullying, harassment, and judgment. It means providing holistic security so students know that the teachers and staff care about their wellbeing and their whole selves. In order to prepare all students for a thriving post-secondary life, I’ll work to make sure all students have the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge, and confidence.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I sincerely want all students to delight in learning and to joyfully be their full, authentic selves every day. As a member of other community boards, I know how to work together, listen to each other, and achieve common goals. Specifically, I’m the treasurer of Environmental Initiative, so I have experience stewarding budgets and look forward to bringing that experience, my engineering background, and my love for spreadsheets to ensure fiscal responsibility while finding ways to meet students’ needs. I’m invested in the community: I’ve been a North St. Paul resident for 12 years, I have a child in the district, and I’m on the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee. I’ll show up and do the work it takes to be a productive contributing board member to this amazing community.

What do you think is the primary role of government? Government’s role is to secure the ideals of the Constitution for its people. For the school board, its role is to make sure all students have the resources they need to learn how to think and gain the skills they need to lead productive lives.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I’ve learned to listen to seek understanding and assume positive intent. People come from different backgrounds and experiences and their thoughtful input can help me better understand the issues and the challenges and opportunities associated with those issues. As a school board member, I anticipate having good, meaty discussions and reaching a consensus that we can all support with one voice.

Website or contact information: swor4schoolboard622@gmail.com

Kita Yang (incumbent)

Kita Yang. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 45

What would your top priorities be if elected? School safety, building strong relationships, and prioritizing academic achievement.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a current school board member and am the current board chair. I also serve on the AMSD Executive/Legislative Committee. Additionally, I am a parent of children in the district and have been a long-time member of this community. I have work experience in conflict management, workforce planning, budgeting/financial, and strategic planning.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To maintain order, safety, stability – through enforcement and review of laws and regulations. To establish goals and a vision.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? In my work in HR, I have always leaned on collaboration and learning from others in making an effective and well-informed decision/opinion. My first step is to always listen, and listen effectively to hear what people are truly saying. I also do my own research and then I take what the strategic focus/vision is, along with many other factors such as group norms, past practice, best practice, future-thinking, and use that to inform how I sympathize/empathize with others to come to either a shared understanding or a consensus. Sometimes we may still not agree, but having a better understanding of others’ viewpoints helps move work forward.

Website or contact information: kitayang.com/

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