Eight candidates are running for three seats on the Lakeville School Board in November’s election.

While nine names will appear on the ballot, Jackie Faust has indicated that she has suspended her campaign.

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.

Zachary Bohlman

Age: 37

What would your top priorities be if elected? First and foremost is the funding for Lakeville Area Schools has fallen behind our growing population. The Lakeville area is a fantastic place to live and is the fastest growing suburb in the metro area. But that means we need to properly fund our school system to keep up with population growth. Second, we need to respect our educators and other school staff and compensate them fairly for the incredible work they do.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I graduated from the Lakeville school system. I feel a strong connection to my hometown community and want to give back. I have served in the military reserve for nearly 14 years and feel called to give back to the Lakeville area community through public service. My military job involves interpreting data and evidence to form objective conclusions and present those to leadership. We don’t get to choose our teammates in the military. We put aside our differences and get the job done.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to provide public services that cannot otherwise be better provided by the marketplace. In this instance having a public school system benefits everyone by creating an educated population. I believe public education is a vital part of our society.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I have served in the military reserve for nearly 14 years and part of the work I do is researching and presenting global issues to leaders. Part of that process is members of our team regularly challenge each other’s conclusions to ensure we have thought of all possibilities. Further is the inherent need of military teams to put aside personal differences and work together to complete the task at hand. Collaboration and mutual respect are non-negotiables for me. School boards should not be made up of a majority of people whose political attitudes align. Our governmental bodies should represent the diversity of the community so that all views and experiences are represented.

Website or contact information: votezachbohlman.com

Jackie Faust (Candidate has suspended her campaign)

Amber Cameron

Amber Cameron. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 41

What would your top priorities be if elected? Thriving Students: Creating inclusive schools where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Building Our Future: Attract and retain high quality staff and support facilities that meet student learning needs. Transparency + Accountability: Open and honest dialogue, keeping students at the center of all decisions.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am ready and excited to serve on the ISD 194 Board of Education. I bring with me a deep commitment to public education; my parents were career educators, my husband is a teacher, and I work as an administrator at the University of Minnesota. At the U, as the Director for Public Engagement Initiatives for the UMN system, I work everyday to connect University research and teaching with our broader community, including businesses, nonprofits, and government. Having two children in Lakeville Schools has shown me what incredible educators we have; I am proud to be endorsed by the teachers and education assistants in our community. I have extensive experience serving on ISD 194 committees (finance, facilities, and boundaries) and board experience at the national, county, and city levels. Lastly, I have an M.S. in Non-Profit/NGO Leadership, providing me with extensive knowledge of strategic planning and finance/budget planning and oversight from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of our local school board is to set policies and strategic directions that ensure the schools provide high-quality services, including an excellent academic experience, to the kids that live in our community. This needs to be balanced with transparent and effective budgetary oversight to ensure tax dollars are being maximized to support student success.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I think it is important to listen and appreciate various perspectives on any given topic. A large part of this is being willing to sit down and have authentic conversation with people who might think differently than you and consider their perspective. Working at the University of Minnesota, I am constantly provided opportunities to think, learn, and expand how I view the world. I bring these skills into my local community through the various boards I have served on and been chair of. I seek to foster an environment where deep conversation can happen on important issues.

Website or contact information: amberfor194.org

Paul Carbone

(Candidate information not provided)

Laura J. Fangel

Laura Fangel. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 39

What would your top priorities be if elected? Build a visionary leadership team to help us navigate the challenges our district continue to face, ensure our schools continue to be a safe and welcoming place to teach and learn, and to rebuild the trust with our community through timely communication and clarity in spending.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am an active parent in my school district with experience in project management and people engagement.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To represent the interest of the people and write policy to be implemented.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I always try to find common ground with people who disagree with me. In the end I believe we all want to support our schools and students and we just have different ways of doing that. While I am strong in my convictions, I am respectful in conversation and appreciate the opportunity to learn from others who do not necessarily agree with me.

Website or contact information: fangelforisd194.com; fangelforisd194@gmail.com

Darryl Hall

Darryl Hall. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 52

What would your top priorities be if elected? My three top priorities are to (1) restore the trust of community and staff, (2) focus district spending and saving, and (3) build an effective learning environment for all. First, I will advocate for open communication and transparency with all stakeholders. I will rebuild relationships that are critical to our district’s success. Second, I will prioritize spending that most directly benefits students. I will work to grow our district’s ‘rainy-day fund’. I will also push for systems and reporting methods which enable our community to more easily follow and understand our financial progress. Finally, I will champion policies and practices that improve physical safety, support mental and emotional well-being, and promote academic excellence. These are items that most in our community have identified as important. My intention is to deliver.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a collaborative executive leader with a career that spans three decades. I have managed $50 million business operations, controlled budgets, hired and fired personnel, and negotiated contracts. In short, I am immediately ready for district business. In addition, I am an engaged ISD 194 parent. I am an active member in my schools’ PTOs – where I not only attend meetings, but regularly participate in teacher assistance projects, walkathons, student carnivals, and other school support activities. And, during the last three years, I have served as an in-class volunteer and directly assisted teachers as they taught sections of WIN Math and WIN reading. It is because of this combination of acumen and dedication that I believe I have received the backing of our teachers (EML) and support staff (LEAF). I am honored to have their endorsement; and it would be my privilege to serve them, our community, and our students on the ISD 194 School Board.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To make, implement, and execute law. And in a democratic republic such as ours, to ensure that none of these rules impede upon the twenty-seven supreme rights granted to each of us by our Constitution.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? During a twenty-eight-year career in professional leadership, I’ve become known as someone who is logical, hard-working, and adaptable. I have led multimillion-dollar product development projects. I have steered Six Sigma process improvement teams across five different continents. I have built organizations from the ground up. But most importantly to this role, I have learned how to build authentic relationships – and how to collaborate. As mentioned in another response, I am the only candidate who has personally attended every regular, special, and working school board session of this financial year. In doing so, I’ve have had lots of unique learnings. But most importantly, I’ve built working relationships. As a result, I am confident that — despite differences in perspective or opinion — I can productively team with any other school board member. These collegial connections are critical to school board success and an important reason why I ask for your vote.

Website or contact information: hallfor194.com/

Brett Nicholson

Brett Nicholson. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 42

What would your top priorities be if elected? Academic Achievement – Continuously improving student performance and closing achievement gaps; Budget Transparency and Fiscal Responsibility – managing the limited resources we have while preparing long-term plans for sucess; Support for our Teachers and Staff – investing in classroom management training, smaller class sizes, and recreating a positive work culture; Safe Schools with Community Engagement – Build strong partnerships with families and the broader community to assure a safe environment for all students and faculty alike.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I own and operate a business process improvement consulting firm, leveraging global experience to enhance efficiency and effectiveness for clients of all sizes. With a background in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, I’ve negotiated with unions, settled grievances, led candidate searches, and managed compensation negotiations. My wife is a current Kindergarten teacher in Burnsville, and we regularly discuss how policies impact classrooms. This combination of business expertise and firsthand educational insight offers a unique and valuable perspective, setting me apart from other school board candidates as I aim to bring meaningful recommendations to improve our district.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to serve its citizens by providing the essential services entrusted to them efficiently, while minimizing the tax burden. I believe that government should operate within its means, focusing on fiscal responsibility and maximizing the value of taxpayer dollars. This means prioritizing effective budgeting, reducing unnecessary spending, and ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently to meet the needs and expectations of the community.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? Working with diverse teams and clients has taught me the importance of listening to differing opinions to achieve the best outcomes. I approach disagreements with curiosity, seeking to understand the perspectives and reasoning behind others’ views. I don’t have all the answers but by asking questions and actively listening, I can identify common ground and areas where we can collaborate. In my work, this openness has often led to innovative solutions that wouldn’t have emerged from a single viewpoint. I believe that differing opinions aren’t obstacles but opportunities to broaden understanding and improve outcomes. By valuing diverse perspectives, I’ve been able to build consensus, foster teamwork, and implement solutions that reflect the collective needs of all stakeholders—skills I will apply as a board member to ensure that all voices are heard and respected.

Website or contact information: votebrettnicholson.com

Dawn Seepersaud

(Candidate information not provided)

Matt Swanson

(Candidate information not provided)

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