School Board Candidates & Districts - Woodbury Defense Coalition

How to Research Candidates

What matters in school board candidates:

Immigration & Student Safety: Will they protect immigrant students from ICE enforcement? Do they understand schools are sanctuaries?
LGBTQ+ Support: Will they support diverse curriculum and protect LGBTQ+ students from discrimination?
Fiscal Accountability: Do they understand the district's budget constraints and prioritize transparently?
Teacher & Staff Support: Will they fund competitive salaries and working conditions?
Equity: Do they commit to serving historically underserved students and families?

Use this page to find candidate contact info, forums, and detailed evaluations from Woodbury Indivisible.

School Districts in the Area

🟢 Recommended

🟡 Mixed Consensus

🔴 Not Recommended

📍 ISD 622 (Oakdale Area)

3 School Board Seats Open

Brittany LaBore

First-time candidate
Early childhood educator

✓ RECOMMENDED

Nina Potter

First-time candidate
Community involvement

✓ RECOMMENDED

Caleb Anderson

Incumbent
Vice Chair, 12 years experience

⊘ MIXED CONSENSUS

Veronica McFarland

First-time candidate
Production coordinator

✗ NOT RECOMMENDED

Key Issues: Student safety during immigration enforcement, special education funding, mental health resources, support staff

→ Read Full ISD 622 Candidate Evaluations

Source: Woodbury Indivisible 2026 Voter Guide

📍 ISD 834 (Stillwater Area)

4 School Board Seats Open

Elizabeth Taylor-Schiro

First-time candidate
Doctorate in educational policy

✓ RECOMMENDED

Alison Sherman

Incumbent
Board Chair, strong track record

✓ RECOMMENDED

Christopher Lauer

Incumbent
Insurance professional

⊘ MIXED CONSENSUS

Pete Kelzenberg

Incumbent
Realty owner

⊘ MIXED CONSENSUS

Ashley Cegielski

First-time candidate
Healthcare finance expert

⊘ MIXED CONSENSUS

Zack Dinzeo

First-time candidate
Operations professional

⊘ MIXED CONSENSUS

Amilee Ellis

First-time candidate
Parent of five

✗ NOT RECOMMENDED

Jillien Haroldson

First-time candidate
Event coordinator

✗ NOT RECOMMENDED

Key Issues: LGBTQ+ student protection, fiscal accountability, teacher compensation, diversity in curriculum, budget constraints ($5M annual shortfall)

→ Read Full ISD 834 Candidate Evaluations

Source: Woodbury Indivisible 2026 Voter Guide

Key Evaluation Framework

Questions to ask about any school board candidate:

Immigration & Student Protection

Will they support the district as a sanctuary from ICE enforcement?
Do they understand that federal agents cannot enter school buildings without a judicial warrant?
How will they support families during immigration enforcement operations?

LGBTQ+ Students & Curriculum

Will they protect LGBTQ+ students from bullying and discrimination?
Do they support diverse, inclusive curriculum and library materials?
Will they oppose book bans and support intellectual freedom?

Fiscal Accountability

Do they understand the district's budget constraints?
Will they provide transparent reporting on spending and results?
How will they prioritize funding: teacher salary competitiveness, support staff, mental health?

Equity & Representation

Do they commit to serving students of color, low-income families, and English language learners?
Will they collect and act on disaggregated data by race, income, and other factors?
How will they ensure diverse perspectives in board decisions?

How to Get Involved

Attend candidate forums – Ask your specific questions directly
Review the Woodbury Indivisible guide – Detailed evaluations across multiple races
Contact campaigns – Candidates should respond to constituent questions
Talk to teachers and staff – They have direct experience with board decisions
Vote early or on election day – School board elections matter for your community
Volunteer for campaigns – Help get out the vote for candidates you support