Call for Westonka School Board candidates!

Today, August 1, is the first day candidates for Westonka School Board can file to be on the ballot for the upcoming election. Early, absentee voting begins Friday, September 22 with Election Day on Tuesday, November 7.

There are currently four seats on the board up for election and it’s critical to find competent, parent-supporting, fiscally responsible candidates focused on academic improvement. According to the MN Department of Education Score Card, Westonka schools have shown a continuous decline, since 2019, in the number of students meeting standards in math. Westonka’s students are also performing worse today than they were in 2018 in all three core areas of math, reading, and science.

School board members meet once each month and are currently paid $2,400 annually. If you’d like to contribute to the betterment of our community and our childrens’ future, please consider running.

Below is the election filing information from the Westonka website:

• 2023 School Board ElectionFiling to be a candidate for school board in the November 2023 Westonka school board election will open Tuesday, Aug. 1 and will close Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. at the Westonka Educational Service Center.
• In order to be a candidate for school board, an individual must be eligible to vote in Minnesota, be at least 21 years old, and be a resident of the Westonka School District for at least 30 days by the time of the Nov. 7 election.
• If You Are Interested in Running for School Board
  • Information packets will be available beginning July 24 at the Westonka Educational Service Center, Suite A.Candidates may file Monday through Friday Aug. 1-15 during regular business hours (8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). Filing will close Tuesday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. Prospective candidates need to file a notarized Affidavit of Candidacy and a $2 filing fee. There is usually a notary available at the district office; however, please confirm prior to arriving.
• • Affidavits of Candidacy and the filing fee can be filed at Suite A of the Westonka Educational Service Center, 5901 Sunnyfield Road E, Minnetrista.
  Westonka elects half of the school board every two years during an odd-year election. This year filing will be open for four four-year terms. The seats currently held by Kelle Bowe, Ralph Harrison, Heidi Marty and Brian Roath will be up for election.
• For more information about serving on the school board, contact Superintendent Kevin Borg, borgk@westonka.k12.mn.us. For information on filing or to confirm a notary will be available, contact Emily Labuz, administrative assistant, labuze@westonka.k12.mn.us or (952) 491-8007.