This week begins our Q&A coverage of the candidates who are running for contested seats that are relevant to voters within Pipestone County. We begin with the following races: the seven candidates running for three seats on the PAS school board; the Pipestone County Attorney’s office; and the Pipestone Mayor’s seat.
Next week, we’ll start the Q&A coverage of the state and federal races that will be on Pipestone County ballots this Nov. 6.
Pipestone County Attorney race: Ben Denton vs. Damain Sandy
Ben Denton
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary including your city of residence and how long you’ve lived there, your family, your profession and your qualifications for the job.
Ben Denton: I’ve lived in Pipestone for nine years now. I grew up in two small towns in Indiana and Ohio. I’m the prosecutor of misdemeanors and DWI’s in Pipestone (eight years) and Jasper (about three years), and help in their council meetings when they ask. I handle some land-use cases for the cities of Pipestone, Jasper and Luverne. In the past, I represented parents in child-protection cases, mental-health patients who the state seeks to civilly commit and defendants in several criminal cases.
My wife’s name is Divena. I have two stepsons, Trever (20) and Jesse (13). I have a son, Nils (15), who lives in Germany.
I’m a recovering alcoholic – Oct. 26, 2009. To me this is actually an asset not a liability for this job. The recovering alcoholic must help others and give back, must seek rewards not awards, must give his or her best effort and attitude, and must then let go about a result, without any expectations or resentments. Easy to say – way harder to do!
CS: Why are you running for office?
BD: I saw what to me is room for improvement, knew virtually nobody else in the county could run, felt I owed it to the people whose safety, stability and well-being the county attorney’s tasks impact, wanted to give back, and checked my motives for why I’d be running.
CS: What are your personal priorities/initiatives?
BD: A high engagement level towards victims of person crimes, including domestic crimes. A prosecutor can’t ever undo the act, and can’t always prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. But a prosecutor can always give a victim the assurance that he or she takes them as a person, the alleged act and its effects on them, their future, the alleged perpetrator seriously.
A high engagement level towards children in bad circumstances, and maintain a good complete level to try to help bring about either a lasting change in a parent-home environment, or the lasting removal of that child from that environment. At times, all alternatives are imperfect. These cases tug at one’s heart.
A high engagement level of the state’s interest in drug offenses involving suspects with multiple past drug offenses. Including Pipestone, voters in almost every single town and township have said they want a high engagement level of the state. This, so that the drug trade – and, which can be even harder to stop, the perception of the drug trade – being in their town or township is not an easy reason for young families or businesses to not start or move there. It’s been almost as if many voters feel the victim in serial drug offenses starts to become their own town or township more than it is public-safety or the addict.
But the reader ought not confuse this for neighbors or voters hating addicts as people. They genuinely do not.
A positive, public impact for others. Speeches in person from me to kids in school about alcohol, if the school wants me to speak. You’ll see me here and there at high-school sports, community events.
County Attorney is an office that can have a visible, positive, public impact part to it. The best teachers and coaches that I had seemed to care about making a positive impact and being a positive example almost as much as they cared about what my individual grade was or what our season won-loss record was.
When it’s appropriate and makes sense, or if I’m asked to, doing what I can to research and present an idea as to when and how spending and funding for various projects could be done reasonably evenly across the county as a whole in proportion to population. By and large, small counties do not have much money at all to hire consultants for ideas. “What if ?,” presented competently and non-threateningly, has value.
CS: How will you ensure that local politics and social connections do not effect your decisions?
BD: The following ways of handling this problem depend on a person asking themselves, and following through on, “does this particular suspect, victim, their family members, their employer or employees, their connections make it that I feel I have a level of concern about if I can execute my tasks impartially on this?”
First, a county attorney can convene a grand jury to advise on whether, and if so which, charges that there is probable cause for. The grand jurors get jury instructions. These include various offenses, and can include any affirmative defenses that the evidence and testimony support. The document they issue – if they find probable cause – is called an indictment. This way gets impartiality, but it is a lot of effort and cost.
Second is the conflict-county-attorney. By that term, I mean that person who is authorized to act as the substitute county-attorney if the county-attorney and his/her assistants all have a conflict. A person can bring a case to them and ask, “please look at this and act as if you were from Kittson County 200 miles away, you don’t know anybody in this one bit, you’ll never see them again.”
CS: Are there other issues you’d like to address?
BD: I’ve had four jury trials, three as prosecutor and one as defense. To feel that their lawyer did well by them, that the state was upfront with them, that justice was served with integrity, was not unreasonably light or unreasonably heavy – in short, “they got a fair shake” – this is what almost every person wants. But this does take a lot of effort, enough so that to get this, the county attorney needs one if not two assistant attorneys and a secretary. The budget is enough for this.
My father served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam.
Damain Sandy
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary including your city of residence and how long you’ve lived there, your family, your profession and your qualifications for the job.
Damain Sandy: I was born in Browerville, Minn. in 1966. Following my birth, simply because my dad worked in road construction, we lived in Flandreau, Aberdeen, Chamberlin, Vivian and Murdo, SD; and Pipestone, Twin Lakes and Welcome, Minn. all before I started kindergarten. My family settled in Welcome until I was 10 when we moved to Truman, Minn. where I graduated from high school.
I graduated from St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minn. in May 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in English with a concentration in classical literature. At St. John’s, I wrote for the university newspaper, “The Record,” and served as Arts & Entertainment editor my junior year and Associate Editor my senior year. My four-year GPA was 3.46 and my cumulative GPA as a junior and senior was approximately 3.85.
I graduated with honors from Wm. Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul in May 1993. I served as a Staff Member of the Wm. Mitchell Law Review my second year, and Associate Editor my third year.
During law school, I was a law clerk for two years with a firm in Hastings. Following law school, I was hired by Meshbesher & Spence in Minneapolis to research and write a federal appellate brief, then worked as a research attorney for the firm’s personal injury attorneys. I next worked in Wisconsin for a plaintiff’s personal injury law firm.
I came to Pipestone in February 1998, and have since worked in a dual capacity as a private-practice attorney with Jim O’Neill and Scott Barduson in the O’Neill, O’Neill & Barduson Law Office and as a public-practice attorney, i.e., Assistant Pipestone County Attorney and elected County Attorney.
My wife, Amanda, and I have been married 16 years and have three boys attending school in Pipestone: Darius, a sophomore, Isaiah, a seventh grader, and Atticus, a third grader. Amanda worked as a CPA for Meulebroeck Taubert & Co. from 1999 until 2016 and currently works as the payroll supervisor for the Pipestone System. We live on an acreage (previously owned by Cornie and Jo Toering) south of Pipestone with our dog, Loki, and several farm cats.
My qualifications for the position of County Attorney, in addition to my educational and work history, include experience that one only gets by working in a County Attorney’s Office for 20 years as a criminal prosecutor, civil litigator, advocate, negotiator and counselor. This position is complex, so much so that the public is almost completely unaware of the many specialties of law that county attorneys and assistant county attorneys practice. For example, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has more than 100 attorneys practicing in many departments, including adult prosecution, drug prosecution, property crimes, juvenile prosecution, appeals, contracts, forfeitures, employment law, real property law, health services, child protection, adult mental health and child support enforcement, each specialty having its own substantive law and procedural rules. As an Assistant and the elected County Attorney, I have practiced and currently practice all of these specialties, and I have acquired the knowledge of the numerous substantive laws and procedural rules so that I can do all the work required, do it right and do it efficiently.
As a private practice attorney, I have extensive experience in real estate law, which allows me to work with and advise the offices of the County Auditor, Assessor and Recorder in real estate matters. While a law student and early in my career, I primarily researched and wrote motions, memoranda and briefs, which honed my analytical and writing skills.
CS: Why are you running for office?
DS: When Jim O’Neill decided not to seek re-election in 2014, I filed because I had a duty and obligation to those Jim, Scott and I had worked with in county government, law enforcement, the courts and the public to continue providing the leadership, skill and knowledge that we had provided for many years. In 2014, as now, the people with whom I worked knew me, were comfortable with me, trusted my analytical abilities and respected my legal and practical opinions and advice. Essentially, I was looked upon as the logical person to succeed Jim because of my training and experience and because of the relationships I had built.
I decided to run for a second term as County Attorney because of my continuing obligation to serve and because others with whom I work in county government expect me to be, and want to keep me as, the County Attorney.
CS: What are your personal priorities/initiatives?
DS: The utmost priority of my office has been to put the duties and responsibilities of the County Attorney’s Office over and above the needs of the private law firm. This was Jim O’Neill’s policy and this continues to be my policy. Nothing that we do in private practice can interfere with any duty of the County Attorney’s Office.
My second priority is to provide the best service I can to everybody I serve, and do so in a professional and personable manner. I am, for the most part, the servant and not the master. Although the law bestows a great deal of authority and power on a County Attorney, the authority and power has to be held in check so that I serve, rather than rule.
As for initiatives, it is difficult to have specific initiatives or implement initiatives because too many factors are outside of my control and authority as County Attorney. For example, I could state that I have an initiative to see more DWI arrests and prosecutions, but I cannot implement such an initiative because I cannot control when or how often DWI arrests are made.
I could state that my initiative is to be tougher on crime. However, the ability to be tough on crime, which most people equate to time in jail and prison, is limited by mandates of the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines that require probationary treatment rather than imprisonment for most convicted felons. Another limitation is judicial economy. If a prosecutor makes unreasonable plea offers, such as asking for the maximum allowed jail time and/or fine, any capable defense attorney will tell the client to take the case to trial because a trial creates the possibility of acquittal and because judges do not impose maximum allowable sentences. Being overly “tough” in plea negotiations also results in the complete absence of plea agreements, which causes an overload of jury trials and brings the criminal justice system to a halt.
A third limitation on a prosecutor’s ability to be “tough” is the fact that criminal sentences are imposed by judges, not prosecutors, and judges do not lock people up and throw away keys—judges, like good prosecutors, know that the criminal justice system is about rehabilitation in addition to punishment.
While being tough on crime is an impossible initiative to have, and while not being a purposeful initiative of mine, I have consistently been tougher on crime than certain other prosecutors have. Evidence that one is tough on crime is best shown through conviction rates and sentence severity.
In my case, approximately 90 percent of all cases I have prosecuted, the majority of which are felonies and gross misdemeanors, result in a conviction. This is in line with the statewide average. In comparison, over the past year, my opponent’s conviction rate is approximately 50 percent, which is due to the fact that the other 50 percent of cases were dismissed by my opponent prior to trial. As for severity of sentences imposed, people I prosecute who, for example, are convicted of a 2nd DWI having two prior DWI convictions receive a standard sentence of 90 days in jail with the balance of a year hanging over their heads, supervised probation for three years, a $1,250 fine and other conditions. A recent conviction pursuant to a plea agreement entered into by my opponent for a 2nd Degree DWI resulted in a sentence of 30 days in jail, a shorter probationary period and a substantially lower fine. To the public, it may seem like my office is at times slapping defendants’ hands. However, a slap in the form of a conviction accompanied with probation and punishment is better than no slap at all.
As for any realistic initiative I may have—I would simply say that one initiative would be, like one of my priorities, to provide the best service I can to the people I serve.
CS: How will you ensure that local politics and social connections do not effect your decisions?
DS: Local politics have never affected my decisions. The County Attorney’s Office is not a political office, and my decision-making process never takes into consideration whether any elected official or members of the public agree or disagree with my decisions.
In my role as a prosecutor, the state vests the sole discretion in making prosecutorial decisions with me. In making these decisions, I take guidance from the American Bar Association Prosecution Standards, none of which states that I am supposed to consider the opinions of the public or elected officials, the possibility of losing a vote or personal advancement. My decisions as a prosecutor are based on fact, law, burden of proof, justice, fairness and impartiality, not a personal agenda.
In my other duties as a County Attorney, I am a counselor, representative and advocate for others. When acting in these capacities, I do not advance a personal or political objective—I advance the objective of the public client within the confines of applicable law. Again, I am the servant, not the master.
The possibility that social connections can affect a decision of a County Attorney, particularly in a small community, is a constant risk. The Rules of Professional Conduct govern what I must do if personal connections are such that I cannot dispassionately represent the interests of the County. If a matter crosses my desk where I am too close to the people involved to make neutral, detached decisions, which has happened, I refer the matter to another County Attorney’s Office so that I avoid the conflict.
CS: Are there other issues you’d like to address?
DS: The last thing I would like to communicate is simply that it has always been my honor working with everybody in the system and the public. I would appreciate your vote so that I can continue working with those who rely on me and look to me for guidance.
Pipestone County Mayor’s race: Myron Koets vs. Susan Wienands
Myron Koets
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Myron Koets: I was born and raised in the Pipestone area, graduated from Pipestone High School, left the Pipestone area for approximately 14 years, served in the U.S. Army for seven years, took time to graduate from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and worked for a couple of companies in the capacity of Materials Manager.
I married Nancy and moved back to Pipestone in 1978. We have three grown children and five grandchildren. While living in Pipestone, I worked for various agricultural companies in the capacity of sales. Currently, I am retired.
I feel that I am qualified to serve as Mayor because of my world experience, work experience and educations. I have also served as Mayor the last two years in addition to being Mayor of Pipestone approximately 25 years ago.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the city of Pipestone? Why are you running for office?
MK: If re-elected to the position of Mayor, my top priority will be the continued improvement of infrastructure, streets, water and sewer, along with quality of life improvements to the community. I am running for office in the hopes that I will be able to provide the leadership to maintain and to progress the community as a viable place to live, work and raise a family, though long-term planning.
CS: The Pipestone City Council has passed a preliminary levy for 2019 that is 12.8 percent higher than 2018. Water rates will also increase in 2019 and over the coming years to fund the new water treatment plant. How do you balance the need for capital improvements with the local population’s ability to pay for those improvements? How do you know when you’re taxing and charging residents too much?
MK: I wish that there was some scientific formula that could be used to give an exact answer to this question. As that formula does not exist, we have to depend on the judgment of the City Council plus the input each Council member receives from the voters. As an elected official, and if you listen carefully, you are able to determine the balance between spending and the ability to pay.
More on the water treatment plant and water rates. The City Council offers to the public water that meets federal and state standards, thus the testing that we do on a regular basis. If we as the City Council offer water that does not meet standards then we would be in violation of the public trust. An example of the violation of trust would be the Flint, Mich. water issues. The cost of maintaining the trust and water standards can, and will be, high. On the other hand, if we were offering water that was unsafe, “What would be the cost of that water?”
More on the preliminary levy of 12.8 percent. The city’s annual budget is in excess of $9 million dollars. It is safe to assume an annual inflation rate of 2 percent, or stating the budget in purchasing power, the budget would have to grow $180,000 a year just to maintain purchasing power. Each percent of increase of the levy generates approximately $20,000, so the levy should be increased 9 percent a year just to maintain purchasing power. Most years the increase is less than 9 percent, in effect cutting the budget by a percentage, the difference between the actual increase and 9 percent.
The City Council takes the budgeting process very seriously and is always looking for ways to protect you, the taxpayer.
CS: City street and utility projects will always be needed. Currently, the debt is born by property owners through the debt levy, and by those who own property on the benefiting streets through special assessments. What are your thoughts on this system and why should it be continued or how should it be changed?
MK: The current system of assessing 20 percent or more of the cost to the benefiting landowner and the balance being paid through bond payments by the general taxpayers seems to be working and for the most part, is a fair system. Having said that, it is not the most comfortable system to administer as a City Council member. It requires you to look your neighbor in the eye and tell them what the charges will be. The alternative would be for the entire city to pay for all the expenses, which would require saving money in advance of letting a bid for a construction project. Referring back to a 1 percent levy increase generating approximately $20,000, the question would be, how long would it take to save $2 million dollars, and would the street and utilities last while saving money? Lots of good questions, and would make for an interesting debate.
CS: What improvements could be made within the city that would improve its quality of life?
MK: I would like to see some sort of program to promote and display the visual arts of the community.
I would like to have more walking trails in and around the city.
I would like to see and promote a city center or central gathering place in the city.
I would like to have continued funding of the blighted property program.
CS: Are there other issues you’d like to address?
MK: Explore the possibility of limiting the sale of tobacco to people under 21.
Susan Wienands
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Susan Wienands: I have lived in Pipestone since June 2006. I have three sons, none of whom live here in Pipestone anymore. My eldest lives in Seattle, Wash., and my youngest is in college in Mankato (however, he wishes to move to Bozeman, Mont.) Two of my children are into engineering. My oldest is a biomedical engineer and my youngest is an aspiring electrical engineer. My middle son works in customer service.
I am a Master Electrician. I went through a four-year, registered apprenticeship program in New York from 1984 through 1988. I received my journeyman wireman card in 1988. That same month I independently took my first Masters exam and passed it. I currently hold several Masters licenses. I have worked as a lineman, installed substations and contracted new construction/remodel/service in the residential sector, however, my specialties are commercial and industrial, with an emphasis on energy production –– wind, solar, gas, oil and coal.
I have worked on the road the past many years, mostly in upper Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, often leaving at 2 a.m. Monday mornings for a 6:30 start time and returning either Thursday night late or Friday night late, then repeating the following week. I have done overseas government contract work as well, usually not exceeding four months at a time due to my responsibilities at home.
I have run numerous jobs during my career, many exceeding $10 million. I have managed labor forces exceeding 80 employees directly under myself. I have also ran small jobs of myself and a helper of under $100,000. All have been successfully completed, under budget and on time.
The reason I work on the road is for the lack of opportunities here in Pipestone, which is why I’m running for Mayor.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the city of Pipestone? Why are you running for office?
SW: The city of Pipestone has a reputation, and it is not a very good one. There is a genuine lack of opportunity in this city for working people. It has become a magnet for people throughout the country and world to relocate to — alas, not for the right reasons. This needs to be addressed and changed.
Wind and solar abound on our borders. Pipestone has the resources — unused — to become a major hub for these companies. Companies come and leave. They need to be aggressively sought after and retained. Wind and solar bring good-paying jobs and working people to town. The city needs this.
If Minnesota West will not relocate the wind/solar program here, then other options need to be brought here or created. Sports are nice, however a school system with a basis on math and science is what America needs right now. My children loved the Robotics program. That is the future. A good strong school system attracts working families. Pipestone needs to work with the school district to help them achieve this. They need to be involved in a common plan with a shared goal.
And Pipestone needs to realize that it is part of a larger organization — Pipestone County. All of the cities need to work together to make the entire region strong and desirable. There is an abundance of public housing, more than the city needs. Perhaps it should be converted and used to attract professionals here. Rehab it and offer it to relocating teachers, doctors and business people until they find permanent housing locally. Use it as a tool to attract them and draw others. And work with the adjoining communities on this common goal. Attract working people and cultivate entrepreneurship among our residents. Build cottage businesses into corporations.
CS: The Pipestone City Council has passed a preliminary levy for 2019 that is 12.8 percent higher than 2018. Water rates will also increase in 2019 and over the coming years to fund the new water treatment plant. How do you balance the need for capital improvements with the local population’s ability to pay for those improvements? How do you know when you’re taxing and charging residents too much?
SW: The Pipestone Area School District needs a new elementary school. Period. It is a concern and a priority concern. The city of Pipestone should be on an austerity budget because of this. People can only afford so much. And public housing does not pay property taxes. Jobs here aren’t great-paying. The best-paying jobs are ironically working for the city. A good school system attracts and retains working people who bring innovation and more jobs. It is not the other way around.
I have noticed that the Mayor and City Council have given themselves significant pay raises, per diems and insurance perks. I also noticed that the drive-by fee has dramatically increased. These funds are not dedicated funds, they go into a common account and are then dispersed to the various departments by their budget. And new concrete roads do not bring jobs. Which leads me to a very sore subject — the next question.
CS: City street and utility projects will always be needed. Currently, the debt is born by property owners through the debt levy, and by those who own property on the benefiting streets through special assessments. What are your thoughts on this system and why should it be continued or how should it be changed?
SW: Perhaps the drive-by fee should be renamed the ‘road fund,’ and dedicated as such. I feel it is unfair to tax individuals for the road in front or on the side of their home. If I paid for that section of road, then I should own it and be entitled to charge others to drive on it, right? Well, I can make a fortune because I live near Hill School. And to charge 3 percent rather than the actual percentage for administrative costs? The County Auditor and Treasurer collect these monies, not the City Clerk. For shame, current administration. Some of these assessments equal more than 25 percent of the value of these homes. Add the high water/sewer fees and the drive-by fee and increased tax levy by the city, county and school district and next: poof…working people leave town. I always joke and say buy on a county or a state road, never on a city one.
CS: What improvements could be made within the city that would improve its quality of life?
SW: The biggest improvement I would make is that I would change the current City Administration. I would see innovative leadership. I would seek out dedicated workaholics. I would re-appoint all of the committees to reflect the actual population of this city. I would recruit real working people from within the city to head the current committees and create new ones to brainstorm ways to reach new businesses and professionals to relocate here. I would demand that the mayor and council actively participate with the school district and county and work together. I would demand participation with other city EDAs [Economic Development Authorities]. There is a common goal here.
Next is the ongoing wave of petty crime that this city has. It needs to stop. I want to be able to leave my truck unlocked — and my house. I NEED THIS. We need to become a community and address why this is happening and how to fix it. We need things for our youth to participate in –– other than sports. We need to work with the school and library and local church groups to develop things for them to participate in. Things that they enjoy and will help them become working adults. Perhaps having business mentorship programs for aspiring automechanics or wind turbine technicians. We need new ideas and new people to administer them.
CS: Are there other issues you’d like to address?
SW: The last issue is the first issue. Pipestone needs to become a community. It is a city. It needs involvement by all of its residents. I would like to see social coffee and cake sit-downs prior to council meetings and basically anytime and anywhere so that people have an actual say and involvement in what goes on. I don’t have all of the answers and ideas. Like at work, I need my crew to get the job done. I need their ideas as well as my own. Every person brings something to the table. And so does this city. It needs involvement by all of its residents without fear of retaliation.
Pipestone Area Schools School Board race: seven candidates are running for three seats: Jeff Baatz, Kellie Byrnes, Brad Carson, Mary Lapthorn, Amy Nelson, Michelle Niehus and John Sullivan.
Jeff Baatz
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Jeff Baatz: I have lived in Pipestone County most of my life. I am married and I have five children. I only have one child, a second grader, who is still in school. But I also have one grandchild in school and three more who will be in our school system in the next couple of years.
I am self employed as a truck driver hauling livestock for local producers. As a current Pipestone Area Schools board member of 12 years I feel that I have the knowledge of how things work and I won’t need a learning curve to be an effective board member. I have served on the Health and Safety committee as well as the Personnel and Negotiations committee and Staff Development. I have been the clerk for six years and I have also served as board chair as well as vice chair.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
JB: If elected I feel that we have a couple of high-priority items that will continually need to be addressed. They are that we will need to continue with the push to either replace or upgrade our current facilities, whether that be building new grade schools or adding onto the current ones and upgrading them. When the community task force returns with their recommendation then the board will render its decision on whether or not to build new or repair the current buildings.
The second and equally important issue is the low test scores. The current board has addressed this issue with the hiring of a curriculum director, and our instructional coach. But as with most things it will take a few years to make sure we have made the right changes. I believe that with this change we will be able to address issues quicker than before. Before this, the curriculum director position was part-time through the service co-op and could not adequately study our data and address the weak spots in our curriculum.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
JB: There is always a place to spend more. But I feel our current board has done a very good job of controlling how and where they are spending tax dollars.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
JB: I do believe that it would be the wisest decision to build a new elementary building out at the middle school high school complex. I feel that the current elementary buildings have served their purpose very well but are now too small and in need of too many upgrades. This is what I believe. A recommendation will be coming forth from the community task force shortly as to what the task force feels will be best for Pipestone.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
JB: This is why the current board hired a curriculum director. That person now has to dig through the data and try and figure out the things we need to change. The current board has also made it a priority to get all pre-K kids into some sort of preschool program. That should enhance and improve their learning as they advance in school. I feel if we catch them in their early years then we won’t have as many issues later as they advance in grades. School board members first need to listen to the advice of the administration. They then will make decisions as to what changes need to be made and where. But the board does not make decisions on day-to-day operations. Those are left up to the administration.
The board sets the policy and the administration carries it out.
CS: Are there other issues you want to address?
JB: I think the biggest thing I look at is if what we are doing or trying to achieve is in the best interest of the kids and the taxpayer. As a board member you need to look at the big picture not just what any one person wants. You as a board member are only one out of seven votes. Do what is right for our kids and the district and keep any personal agendas out of your board decisions.
Kelli Byrnes
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Kelli Byrnes: I have lived in Pipestone for the last 23 years. I graduated from our school district in 1998. My husband Marshall and I have four children. One is in college and the other three live at home and are students at PAS. I am the Office & Personnel Manager for SpEd Forms. I feel I am qualified as a mom with students inside the district. Decisions made affect my own children’s education. I am very open to change, work humbly with others, willing to really listen to our community and most of all, love PAS. The company I work for specializes in Special Education software, so I have quite a bit of knowledge in that area.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
KB: My top priority would be improving district communication, which I think has been headed in a more positive direction the last couple of years. We want the public to trust the decisions that are being made in our district without question. If your community trusts what’s going on inside our schools, then asking them to pass a tax increase wouldn’t be so difficult. I’m running for our office because I care about the future of our children; mine and yours.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
KB: Education is severely underfunded by the government across the board. I believe we need a combination of federal and state money, along with local dollars to adequately supply our schools. It would be great if some day our government would see the value of education and appropriately fund schools.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
KB: 100 percent yes. When you have staff working from closets, there is an obvious space issue. When a teacher must push materials around on a cart and doesn’t have a permanent classroom, something needs to be done.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
KB: From what I understand, a new reading curriculum was introduced and usually scores drop the first year after introducing a new curriculum. It sounds like it’s a work in progress. Also, I understand that district math teachers are working towards different strategies for math score improvement. The English proficiency scores went up for English language learners, which is excellent. We are above state average there. I have no doubts our teachers work as hard as possible and go above and beyond for their students. I also try to remember that these test scores show just one very small part of the puzzle. Test scores are important, but a child is so much more than their score on a piece of paper.
I feel the school board does help influence district academic success by setting the tone for their district overall. A school board needs to ensure that the administration is making decisions that are the best for our teachers and for our students. Our community should feel secure with the members of our school board.
CS: Are there other issues you want to address?
KB: I’m a mom and I speak to lots of other parents. We have community members I have spoken to who feel because they did not grow up here, or perhaps feel they don’t fit in, they or their children are treated differently and do not feel welcome. No matter anyone’s specific background, they should be accepted into our school district.
Our open enrollment numbers have been high for a long time. I would like to work on lowering these numbers and keeping these students in district. I also feel our school lunch program needs to be looked at again. Over the last years, concerns from parents have increased in this area. These concerns have ranged from running out of food when there are still children to feed, to food being dumped from trays into garbage cans because the child doesn’t have money in their lunch account. I feel there has got to be something the district can do to improve in this area.
I also want to end off on a positive note here. Our district’s greatest asset is our system of teachers and staff. We are incredibly lucky to have the amazing general and special education teachers, paraprofessionals and office staff that we do! Thank you to all who go above and beyond on a daily basis.
Brad Carson
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Brad Carson: I was born and raised in Pipestone, proudly graduating with the class of 1991. Following graduation, I served my country in the U.S. Army. My family includes my wife Kris and three daughters, Taylor, Matti and Cassi. I am currently the Sales Manager for Tonisity based out of St Joseph, Mo. I have held several management positions throughout my career allowing me the opportunity to complete budgets, financial planning, strategic marketing plans, as well manage personnel.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
BC: First and foremost, the education of our children attending Pipestone Area Schools. Second, assist in ensuring the tools are in place for them to succeed. Third, bring a common-sense approach, which has served me well in my career and will carry to our school board. My goal is to have a positive impact on PAS and the students of our district giving them all the opportunities that I, and others, have had.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
BC: Yes. From following the budget process by past boards and seeing the year-end outcomes, we have had a surplus of funds for the past few years. With continued fiscal responsibility, I believe our district can continue this trend. The main unknown is how much support that will be received from the state.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
BC: I believe so. From serving on the recent Pipestone Area Schools Facility Task Force, while also attending the community meetings addressing the condition of our elementary schools, the need became clearer for me. The need for more space for our students is real. The current elementary schools were built some 50-60 years ago. Times have changed along with educational needs. If we expect them to succeed, they need the proper tools, the tools to help our children achieve future success later in life. I do want to point out that it does need to be done correctly. Our district cannot afford a repeat performance of the last time we built a new school.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
BC: This is a hard question for me to answer. Without being on the inside, seeing internal actions of the school administration and not knowing what is currently in place to help correct this, it is not fair that I answer. I would guess that our administration has a plan in place to raise these scores. I do think as a whole our teachers are doing a great job and have the best interest of our kids in mind. I think if we give them what they need to be successful, the test scores will follow.
Mary (Yseth) Lapthorn
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Mary (Yseth) Lapthorn: I am originally from Pipestone and graduated from the “old” high school in 1984. I left Pipestone after graduating college and returned to the city in 2013. Ed and I have three children. Our oldest son, David, is finishing his degree at the University of North Dakota. Lauren (senior) and Olivia (sophomore) are high school students at Pipestone Area Schools.
I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Communications from North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D.
My past work experiences include income tax preparation and working with medical insurances for an eye doctor’s office. The bulk of my work experience has been in a variety of school districts, to include district 2689, as a para and substitute teacher. Thanks to active military service by Ed, I have had the opportunity to live in Europe and across the United States. This has allowed me to work in a variety of schools and observe how different districts serve their community.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
ML: I am running for office because I am passionate about the value of education. My hope for PAS is that we graduate students who can make an impact in their community and are capable of life-long learning after receiving their diploma. Academic achievement/success for all students is a top priority for me.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
ML: I am not an expert in school “funding,” but I do know all schools have budgets and budget constraints. There are “needs” and there are “wants” and for the most part, both require funding. The challenge is determining where to allocate limited taxpayer dollars in order to have the most benefit for the greatest number of students.
To answer part two, what is needed? In a perfect world, I would add more educators/teachers to reduce class size. At the high school level, there are required core classes with upwards of 30 students in a class. I believe reducing class size at the high school level would have a positive impact in the classroom.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
ML: The district needs to be addressing our space and facility issues at the elementary level. I respect the use of a community task force to address the best way to move forward with the outdated elementary schools. I understand the task force will continue to provide information and offer solutions to the district taxpayers. Eventually, it will be up to the taxpayers to voice their opinion by voting. Regardless of whether the community chooses to repair or replace our current structures, my focus will continue to be academic success.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
ML: School board members can influence academic success by making academic excellence their top focus. Addressing the decline in test data requires an engaged school board, willing to ask tough questions and the willingness to make informed voting decisions that can move the dial from academic concern to academic success. While MCA data is only one piece of the “successful” student puzzle, it is a useful tool in addressing student, staff, and curriculum needs. Moving from academic concern to academic success will be a win for not only the students of PAS, but also for the communities this district serves.
Amy Nelson
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Amy Nelson: I’ve been a resident of Pipestone for nine years. I’m married to Pipestone native Michael Nelson and we have two children, Knox (4) and Bergan (2). I am the RN Clinic Nurse Manager at Pipestone Family Clinic. What I hope to bring to the school board is an objective perspective to address matters that will help shape and form students both as individuals and as future members of our community.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
AN: My main focus is to be an active part in providing all students equal opportunities to a great education and addressing high priority issues such as the elementary school facility. I’m running as I am passionate about the community I reside in and believe the education provided sets a firm foundation for where we’re at and where we strive to be.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
AN: I believe the PAS district is adequately funded, however budget constantly needs to be reassessed to ensure we are keeping teacher salaries competitive, continuing to provide students with a well-rounded curriculum and that space is conducive to learning.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
AN: Something needs to be done about the elementary school space, be it renovate the existing facilities or build a new one. There simply is not enough space to provide a comfortable environment to learn in.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
AN: It’s definitely important that the school district come together to determine potential barriers as to why these results are falling below state average. I believe the school board’s role in promoting academic success lies in keeping those involved accountable. To me accountability means being involved in determining a plan of action that is in the best interest of the students, receiving feedback from those directly involved and continually reassessing progress towards that goal until desired results are achieved.
CS: Are there other issues you want to address?
AN: As Pipestone continues to flourish with more diversity, this naturally changes the needs within the school district. It’s very important to me that we equip our teachers with the tools and skills they need to adapt to the ever-changing needs of the students.
Michelle Niehus
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
Michelle Niehus: My family moved to Pipestone from the Twin Cities in 2004. My husband, Brian, grew up here and wanted to raise our kids in a small-town community. I have four children: Garrett is 20 and lives in Oregon, Dawson is 16 and is a junior, Morgan is 15 and is a sophomore, and Parker is 10 and is in 5th grade. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and a Pre-K teaching license from Concordia College in St. Paul. I went back to school in 2005 at SMSU and earned my licensure in Early Childhood Special Education. I work for the Southwest West Central (SWWC) Service Cooperative out of Marshall as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher. I work in multiple districts around the area. I feel that because I have experience in the educational field and because I have worked in multiple districts that I have a lot of knowledge to offer to the school board and the district. I have worked with many administrators, teachers, paras, and other support staff so I have seen a lot of the ins and outs of how schools work.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
MN: My top priority is figuring out what to do about the elementary schools. Those teachers and students need a building that has more space and that is updated. I am running for school board because I have children in the district and because I have a passion for children and their learning. I want all children to do well and succeed in school. I want to ensure that our district continues to employ AMAZING teachers and staff who care about all of their students and I want to help our district continue to grow and move into the future doing the best that they can for all the students in the district.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
MN: Unfortunately, most schools are not adequately funded through state aid and therefore operating levies are often requested to provide the additional funds needed to operate the district. Since the levy that was voted on last fall did not increase, I believe that PAS really needs to tighten up their budget and prioritize what is most important for the district at this time and focus on those issues.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
MN: I do believe that Pipestone needs a new elementary school. I feel that if you just renovate and add on to the current buildings you will still have two buildings that are partially old. A new building would also be more efficient which would save the district money in the long run. Our young students need more space and shouldn’t be having to sit in the hallways or closets to learn. Providing a safe and nurturing environment is very important to fostering a student’s learning.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
MN: I think the district needs to focus more on their early childhood programs and screenings to try and catch more students at a younger age who may be delayed. Also, I believe the district needs to focus more on intervention programs such as Title 1 and ELL services. The earlier you can start these intervention programs the better off the students will be in the future. Smaller classroom sizes are also very important so each student can have more one-on-one attention from the teacher, teachers can get to know their student’s individual needs and identify issues easier and teachers can work with student’s to enhance their strengths and improve their weaknesses. There would also be more time for instruction and a lot of times students are more engaged in a smaller group.
CS: Are there other issues you want to address?
MN: I believe that PAS is a great school district and has some of the best teachers and staff!!! I hope that the community can come together and do what is best for the district and remember that the kids come first.
John Sullivan
County Star: Please provide a brief biographical summary that covers how long you’ve lived in your current city of residence, your immediate family members, your profession and your qualifications for the position.
John Sullivan:
I have lived in Holland for seven years. I live with my wife and three daughters and I am a stay-at-home Dad/retired from the U.S. Army. My qualifications for the job are that I am a parent with three children enrolled in the district, I care deeply for children and want them to succeed. Also, my wife is in her 11th year of teaching at PAS High School so I have first-hand knowledge of what the teachers need to best serve our children.
CS: If elected, what is your top priority for the school district? Why are you running for office?
JS: If I am elected my top priority for the school district will be to ensure that both the students and teachers receive the best representation I can give. I’m running for office because I care deeply for children and want them to receive the best education we can afford as a district. My own children are students in the district. As a spouse of a teacher with 15 years experience I have the deepest respect for teachers and the heart they put into the job. I see how hard they work and want to give them the proper tools to give our children the keys to success. The future of Pipestone, the state of Minnesota, the United States of America and the world depends upon us investing in the future. No investment goes further than investing in our children. As a resident of Holland, I also feel I can bring an added perspective of out-of-town families and the issues they face.
CS: Is the Pipestone Area Schools (PAS) District adequately funded? If not, what’s needed?
JS: No. Aside from the building and infrastructure issues we are facing right now the district needs more teachers and staff.
CS: Does the school district need a new school building for elementary school students? If not, what are the district’s facility needs?
JS: Most definitely yes. The buildings are over capacity and in need of repairs. It will cost more in the long run to keep them running properly than it would to build a new school.
CS: On the most recent standardized tests, less than half of PAS students were proficient in math; just over a half were proficient in reading. The results were below state averages by 14.9 points in math and 9.4 points in reading; both scores declined from the previous year. Please comment on these results. How do school board members help to influence their school district’s academic success?
JS: One of the biggest indicators of student success is economic opportunities. According to the Minnesota Demographic Center, the average per capita income for all of Minnesota in 2016 was $33,225 while for Pipestone County it was $27,489. The rate for all people below the poverty line for all of Minnesota in 2016 was 10.8 percent, 13.9 percent for all people under 18 years old. The poverty rate for all people in Pipestone County was 12.7 percent, 18.4 percent for all people under 18 years old.
Obviously, the school board has no power to bring those numbers up. It does, however, have the power to help student success by ensuring that teachers are given the best tools available to help all students. We need to provide both the students and teachers as stress-free of a learning and working environment as we can. Life outside of school can be stressful enough for children. That’s why we need to be aware of the issues they face so that even if we can’t change those circumstances directly, we can try to mitigate the effects they have on student performance.
CS: Are there other issues you want to address?
JS: Not at this time, but I am continually learning more about the issues our students and teachers face. Also, I am always willing to listen to the comments and concerns everyone has about our school district.