School Board Candidates

Candidates for school board responded to the following questions:

1. Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.
2. What is your vision for the future of Fargo? What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years?
3. Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a school board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in?
4. The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities?
5. Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools? 

Candidates are Jennifer Benson, Sandra Calhoun, Nyamal Dei, Rebecca Knutson, Robin Nelson, Brian Nelson, David Paulson, Stacey Piechowski, Abdiwali Sharif-Abdunasir, and Radomysl Twardowski. Read more about the candidates by clicking learn more.

Jennifer Benson

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.
I am a product of Fargo Public Schools (FPS) and a graduate of Fargo North High School. I earned my bachelor’s degree from MSUM in Mass Communications. I have 3 young children attending FPS. I have served on the Fargo School Board for four years. Prior to that I was a member of the FPS Facilities Long Range Task Force and was President of Kennedy Neighborhood Association. I will work to understand views from all sides. I am passionate about many things and I sincerely welcome the opportunity to continue the work of the board.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo? What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years?

Fargo Public Schools continues to see steady modest student growth. I would like to see us build a stronger partnership between city, parks, community and neighboring school districts. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to work with our new Superintendent to achieve this vision.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a school board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in?

The key to a successful community starts with top-quality public education. Core neighborhood schools attract families and businesses boosting the local economy. Ed Clapp was the most recent example of this. As a FPS school board member I will continue to support initiatives that strengthen and support our neighborhood schools.

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities?

The School Board currently meets with the City and Park Boards and leadership teams once a year. I believe we need to increase the frequency of these joint meetings. Additionally, I would like to see each of these three boards create a liaison or advisory position for one another.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

Neighborhood schools help to build cohesion and trust among communities. When students attend a school near their home, families can more easily connect with teachers and contribute as school volunteers and leaders. I was a member of the Long Range Facilities Task Force Committee that recommended the district invest in an upgrade of the HVAC systems to our neighborhood schools.

Sandra Calhoun

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.

To share a little about myself, I grew up on a farm just south of Galesburg, ND. I graduated in 2004 from Northern Cass in a class of 24 students. I completed one year of college at NDSCS from 2005-2006. I have not yet returned to school. In 2007 I met my husband, Sean Calhoun. We had our one and only child, Vaughn, in 2011. He is currently attending Kindergarten at Lewis and Clark Elementary.

I recognized my skills in leadership at a young age. I felt confident and very comfortable in positions of responsibility. Being a leader you need to be accountable for your decisions and actions. I have 8 years of experience as a waitress in two separate restaurants. At both of them I was quickly promoted to trainer. At IHOP I was “crew chief” and at Village Inn I was offered a manager position on two separate occasions but my availability didn’t line up with what they needed. Currently I am the Assistant Manager in Housekeeping at the Holiday Inn Express SW. I am responsible for many of my own tasks as well as ensuring everyone else is doing the assignments I give them.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo? What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years?

I think like most people my vision of Fargo's future is one of progress, and I sincerely hope that the community accomplishes all of their goals and objectives in the next few years. The problem is, vision changes with time and circumstance, and it takes work not wishes to accomplish goals and complete objectives. My vision for Fargo's future is one where elected officials work to see what it is the community wants/needs, and then works hard to build that. In the next four years I would like to see the community better informed and better equipped with the tools they need to envision and then build the best possible future.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a school board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in?

Every neighborhood is an important part of our city, but there are only so many resources. It's the job of every elected official and government position to painstakingly sift through all available ideas and information. Then form and support policies that minimize the input of resources and maximize the amount of overall gain for the city and it's people. I will support whichever policies accomplish this. As an elected representative, it's my job to support the policies that are supported by my constituents in addition to seeking out and forming policies that will solve the problems facing my constituency. Every neighborhood is unique and every one both requires and deserves individual attention, thought, time, and effort put into them. It's rare for any policy to fit every neighborhood, if not impossible, and it would be dishonest and ignorant for me to say otherwise. 

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities?

The best way to strengthen any relationship is through open and honest dialogue that keeps the needs and goals of the City, Park and Schools at the forefront of every conversation. In particular I would do my best to champion any voice that struggles to be heard and do my best to give that voice the equal consideration it deserves. To increase coordination we need to keep on top of rapidly developing technologies, studying the innovations of other communities, building on innovations whenever possible, and by working tirelessly to build strong ties. Not just healthy working relationships, but close friendships also.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

Backing policies that build enthusiasm within the community is something I'm committed to doing. A community will continue to invest in the parts of their town that they take pride in. That good will is essential to the long term health of Hawthorne Elementary.  An investment that provides consistent returns is an investment that people will always support, but only if they're aware of said returns and have a say in the investing. I would support policies that ensure every member of our communities’ voice is being considered. I would also support efforts to increase participation of the community and public awareness of the return their investment provides.

Nyamal Dei

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.

• I was born in South Sudan and live in Fargo. I’m the founder and CEO of South Sudan READS and a healthcare worker. I studied at North Dakota State University and hold a bachelor of science in Health Education in Community Health and minor in Child Development in Family Science. I am a community organizer.
• I am involved in United State Peace of Institute to be part of dialogue in Washington, DC to discuss combating hate speech related to the violent conflict in South Sudan.
• I participated in NEW Leadership Development Institute and North Dakota Women Network, and took part of the training at North Dakota Farm Union.
• I am raising funds for the Library Project to be built in Gambella, Ethiopia and created a Women Empowerment Program. I believed my passion, perseverance, cultural competency, and multilingual abilities have always been assets to anything I puts my mind into.
• I serve in a South Sudanese community and including East Africa community focused on the underprivileged families and orphans.
• I was the humanitarian deputy for Alliance for South Sudanese in Diaspora (ASSD).
• You can find out more about me at my website at http://www.brandnewdei.com.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years? 

Every child deserves vision, support that empowers diversity, and accountability. We should have more after-school programs and more representation and diversity. I will listen to students, parents and staff and I will advocate for the voiceless.

• STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
  • I believe in high academic standards and school accountability. I'll work to make sure our children receive the academic skills and experience necessary for life, including those facing challenges.
• SUPPORTING SCHOOLS
  • We want our teachers and schools to be able to do the best they can each day with the information, tools, and resources they need to do their work.
• SAVE TAXES with AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
  • After-school activities reduce crime, teen pregnancy, and drug use, and improve student performance.
• REPRESENTATION AND DIVERSITY
  • To be the best in the nation we need to increase multicultural representation and diversity.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a school board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in?

Playgrounds are an important asset year round, not only while school is in session. School buildings are used for all sorts of public activities, and should be available all year round. The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities.  I support developing the path between the Hawthorne school property and Island Park. I support walkable neighborhoods and safe bike paths to and from schools.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

Schools are hubs of our community and are important beyond teaching students. They’re open for many public uses. I am for protecting public community spaces in every neighborhood. Hawthorne and Clara Barton are historic buildings that should be protected.

Robin Nelson

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.

Robin Nelson currently serves as the CEO for the Boys & Girls Club of the Red River Valley / Fargo Youth Commission. Her commitment to our community is demonstrated in her history of serving as a three-term elected school board member and as a mayoral appointee to Fargo’s Youth Initiative advisory board, Fargo’s Native American Commission and The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Addiction coalition. While on the school board, she served two terms as president and several terms as the district’s legislative chair. She currently serves as North Dakota’s Afterschool Alliance United States Ambassador; on the regional Workforce Development Committee; as a Great Plains Food Bank board officer and a Fargo Public Schools Foundation board member; on United Way’s Education Collaborative and as the Fargo Early Childhood Education Coalition Chair.  Nelson is a frequent panelist and consultant in the education and business communities. She and her husband Russell Peterson have three children ages 26, 21 and 15.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years?

Fargo will continue to be a desirable city in which to relocate and raise a family due to its strong education system, culture and accepting neighbors. I will fight for retaining a top-notch school system whose educators are respected and provided with the tools they need to help students become successful and productive adults. As Fargo’s Early Childhood Education Coalition Chair, I know firsthand that North Dakota lags embarrassingly behind the nation in publicly-funded preschool. I have been, and will continue, to work with our legislators to advance this important initiative. To that point, I was in Washington DC on April 19 and met with our senators to discuss this topic in addition to issues like quality after school supports and wrap-around services for families. 

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities.   

The elected members of the City, Park and School Boards meet three times annually. I have led these meetings on numerous occasions as a school board member and maintain working relationships with each. As I travel throughout the nation, I continue to be reminded that our collaborative relationships are somewhat of an anomaly. I am pleased our locally-elected officials value comprehensive planning as well as leveraging tax-payer resources. Additionally, I work with the employees and elected leaders of each of these bodies in my capacity as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Club and FYC on a very frequent basis. I will continue to nurture these strong working relationships.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhoods.

The paired schools of Clara Barton/Hawthorne reserve a very special place in our family’s hearts because our daughter attended each. Our city’s neighborhoods, particularly the northernmost, are most often defined by its elementary school. As a school board member, I supported maintaining them even while receiving grief from pockets of concerned tax-payers when the board was asked to analyze maintaining smaller neighborhood elementary schools about five years ago - the residents around smaller neighborhood schools effectively communicated to the school board and we listened. In fact, in the spirit of investing in neighborhood schools, I was the board member who adamantly insisted all schools have air-conditioning installed. Neighborhood schools serve as community centers, meeting places, a draw to those seeking to purchase a home – all while promoting a sense of community and pride. I will continue to promote the importance of neighborhood schools to the larger community.

Brian Nelson

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.

Hello everyone.  I would like to introduce myself.  My name is Brian Nelson.  I am currently in my 30th year in education.  I started as a teacher in 1989.  I taught school 8 years, was a principal for 12 years, and currently finishing my 22nd year as a superintendent.  I was also a coach in various activities for many years and a drivers education instructor as well.  If you look at the math on these different responsibilities, they do not add up.  Some of the positions I held were combined responsibilities. Currently, I am a half time superintendent in Fairmount, N.D.  My wife and I have ten children and six grandchildren.  We have three currently attending  Fargo Public Schools.  We have two daughters at Fargo Davies (sophomore and freshman) and a son at Discovery in the 7th grade.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years? 

I think Fargo will continue to grow and prosper.  There a lot of opportunities in Fargo, North Dakota.  We have to make sure that we can make it affordable to live here in Fargo at the same time we are growing and prospering.  We have to make sure we have a balance of jobs and education has to be a priority. Finally, we need to have a safe community and make sure the police force has everything they need to make sure we are safe.  The goals and objectives I would like to see our community accomplish is to be able to work together as a community. All different parts of the government and our business leaders being a part of that function as well.  

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a city commissioner what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in?

The North Dakota School Board association gives us the necessary policies to run our schools.  These policies I can support as they are given to our district by lawyers who have studied the laws we have in our state.  As far as investing in our neighborhood schools, we need to make sure that we are giving all children “a free and appropriate education from the ages of 3-21.”  We have to make sure all children are given enough attention so they can continue to grow and receive an education from Fargo Public Schools. In order to do this, we need to make sure we have small class sizes and enough adults guiding the students in their pursuit to an education.

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities. 

I think we can meet with the board members of these entities of government and talk to see what can we do together that could save tax monies and avoid duplication of services.  I would also be more involved to see what each governmental group had to offer the students of our city. Finally, planning is the key to any strategy. Planning is a strength of mine, having been superintendent of schools for 22 years.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset to the Fargo Public School system.  The policies that I would support would be coming from the NDSBA or North Dakota School Boards Association.  I have attended NDSBA for 22 years at their annual conference in Bismarck, North Dakota. This conference happens at the end of October.  There are different sessions for board members to learn upon other board members successes in their schools and the things that do not work in their schools.  I have learned in education that if you want learning, you need to have a “grassroots” type of approach. Everyone has to have ownership in the education process.  It cannot come from the top down. The student, parent, teacher, principal, superintendent, tax payers, and board members have to have skin in the game for the student to be educated to its fullest.

Stacey Piechowski

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.

I grew up in a small farming community in Richland County.  I am the oldest of six children, many of whom are educators.  I‘ve been married to Jerry Piechowski for almost 18 years and we have four children currently attending Fargo Public Schools; Katlyn, Denver, Aubrey, and Sawyer.  A resident of Fargo for twenty years, I am a childcare provider.  Jerry and I have lived in the great state of North Dakota our entire lives.  I’ve always been passionate about giving back to our community.  I am very committed to the education of all youth.

• Member of PTA for over a decade
• Member of Booster Club
• Involved with Fargo Public Schools focus groups
• Worked with Gearing Up for Kindergarten program
• Member of Growing Futures of North Dakota
• Enrolled in Bright & Early North Dakota
• Involved with Childcare Alive
• Earned Child Development Associate credential
• Worked with Dakota Medical Foundation on healthy living projects
• Girl Scout leader with Dakota Horizons for nine years
• College degree in Marketing and Business Management

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years? 

We live in Fargo because it is a great community and has a phenomenal education system in place with wonderful teachers.  I am very thankful my children are attending Fargo Public Schools.  I know first-hand the excellent education that our schools provide.  I hold education in high regard and want to return the focus back to what is best for all children in the District.  I’m committed to keeping our standards high.

I believe in a great education for every child as well as creating avenues for stakeholder involvement. I would work to build a collaborative relationship between the board and the community by restoring communication, trust, and integrity.  If I was elected to the Board, I’d focus on transparency and use strategies to ensure everyone has a voice.  Having input from a variety of points of view can only make us stronger.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. What policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in? 

As a school board member, I would be strongly in favor of neighborhood schools and policies that promote the success and revitalization of our buildings.  I also think it is important to keep these schools in their neighborhoods so that children are able to walk and bike to school to build a greater sense of community.  When children are able to walk and bike to school it brings families, neighbors, school officials and community members together. 

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities. 

I would strongly encourage and support having a liaison between the city and the school board and the park district and the school board that would meet on a regular basis throughout the year to keep up with new neighborhoods and changes within the city.  This is especially important when looking at student enrollment and utilizing existing and new buildings and planning for future growth.  Communication is vital between these three entities.  Also, I’d like to see representatives from the city and park boards invited, encouraged, and welcome to attend school board meetings to keep each entity in the know of what the other is planning. 

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

I will continue to show my support for the importance of neighborhood schools.  They are important because they attract young families to move into these areas because their children can walk and bike to school and have access to the school park, ice rinks, and other amenities to use.  This in turns helps keep these core neighborhoods revitalized. 

Abdiwali Sharif-Abdunasir

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.       

I serve as the Executive Director of Somali Community Development of North Dakota, a nonprofit that provides education, outreach, and client-centered services to immigrants and new Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead area. Additionally, I bridge the gap for emergency based training to New Americans in my role as a multilingual CPR and first aid instructor for the Fargo Moorhead Ambulance Service. Furthermore, I serve as a board member of the Fargo Human Relations Commission and the North Dakota Center for People with Disabilities.      

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years? 

My vision for the future of Fargo is for it to be a place that promotes opportunity, equity and celebrates diversity. The goals and objectives I would like for our community to accomplish in the next four years is for our school districts to be accountable to our students and parents, to be fiscally responsible and to be transparent about decision making.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a School Board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in? 

Our neighborhoods are at the heart of our city, it is important to ensure that all neighborhoods have access to safe drinking water quality, safe and well maintained parks, improved transportation, safe neighborhoods, quality education and high quality affordable housing. For instances, supporting key initiatives such as the GO 2030 will ensure that our neighborhoods are maintained, valued and invested in. Developing and supporting policies that help our neighborhoods thrive economically, and structural – is an investment in making our city a more attractive and competitive place that many want to not only want to live in but stay in.  As a School Board member, I will support policies that are dedicated to providing resources to building our neighborhoods.

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities.   

As a highly effective collaborator, I would use my skills in working with people from diverse backgrounds and diverse ideas to influence the common goal – of bettering our communities and efficiently using our shared resources. Also, in order for us to work collaboratively it is important to understand the importance of the work we do for the community while holding each other accountable. I will make sure that I am accessible and willing to collaborate with all members of the City, Park and School for the betterment of our community.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

A school exists to educate the children of a community so it is important to involve the parents and community members in ensuring investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools. To ensure investment is maintained in our core neighborhood schools, I support policies that produce equal opportunities, and better futures for all children especially those most often left behind.

Radomysl Twardowski

Please share about yourself and your leadership experience.       

58 year-old physician (retired from hospital and clinic work), who has a lifelong history of service and leadership. Cardiology practice at Medcenter One in Bismarck 1994-2002, served on the bylaws committee. Active member at Medcenter One Foundation. Medical office work in Bismarck plus traveling locum and contact work 2002 to 2010 under R. Twardowski Cardiology. Administrative work for MEPS and Insurance (Humana) 2010-2015 under R. Twardowski MD PC. Wellness Company since 2015, renamed R. Twardowski, Inc. in 8/2017.

What is your vision for the future of Fargo?  What goals and objectives would you like to see our community accomplish in the next four years? 

Public policy should support prudent growth of our community by pro-family measures, reasonable domestic and legal foreign immigration followed by paths towards the integration of people inside the community. Further expansion and modernization of parks, trails, and transportation hubs (bus option connecting city with airport). Promotion of healthy outdoor activities in the spring, summer and fall seasons; working to decrease unhealthy activities especially drug use and dependence.

Core neighborhoods are key to the success of our community. If the heart of the city thrives so will the whole. As a School Board member what policies would you support to ensure core neighborhoods are maintained, valued, and invested in? 

Candidate is not familiar with the details of their work in Fargo. Google has Core Neighborhood youth co-op in Saskatoon, SK, Canada as a grassroots organization committed to providing a safe space for inner-city and marginalized youth in Saskatoon supported by United Way, bicycle co-op, community foundation, Saskatoon Outdoors. Similar principles should apply here in our city.

The coordination of the City, Park and School is key for the success of communities. As School Board member how would work to increase strategic coordination between these entities.   

This should be accomplished in an ever increasing degree. Members of the school and park boards should be encouraged/invited to attend the meetings over the city commission as non-voting observers and should have access to the minutes of the meetings online or in print (same vice versa). There should be some social acquaintance and communication between the members of the commission and boards.

Hawthorne Elementary is an asset that is fundamental to our neighbors’ quality of life. What policies would you support to ensure investment is maintained in core neighborhood schools?

Focus on academic excellence; continue creative collaborative efforts of board members, teachers, parents and students which would be reflected in higher GPA, SAT, ACT scores of the students in each academic year. Increase participation in national Olympiads In various areas.

Focus on physical fitness and wellness; maintain and expand the schedule of athletic events, track, football, soccer, softball, baseball and basketball games to build on athletic achievement and community integration.

Encourage thoughtful use of the available vast resources.