The candidates for three spots on the Crookston School Board are incumbents Dave Davidson, Frank Fee, and Mike Theis with their opponents being Jason Klinnert and Marcia Meine. We asked each candidate to introduce themselves and why they are running.
Q: Would you please tell us about yourself?
Dave: I’m Dave Davidson. I’m a candidate for reelection to the school board. If people do reelect me it will be my third term. I’m a retired teacher. I taught in Crookston from 1973-2012.
Frank: I’m Frank Fee. I’m currently serving my 12th year on the Crookston School Board. The last eight years I’ve been chairman of the Crookston School Board. I’ve lived in Crookston for over 50 years now. All of my adult life. I’ve been with KROX Radio for that entire period of time. I’m retired now, although I still do a little bit of work at KROX Radio and then, of course, the school board, and some other things that keep me busy. But I have more time to address some of the school board, have more meetings than I normally would with the superintendent, and doing other things. I have four kids that all went through the school system. I have 10 grandkids – two of them at Highland, three of them here at the high school. Two of them have graduated from Crookston High School. My daughter, who is a Special Ed teacher in Pequot Lakes, her three kids go to Pequot Lakes Schools. That’s my background.
Mike: My name is Mike Theis. I’m running for school board this year. I’m married to Amy Theis. She’s lived here all her life. I’ve been here since 1990, so about 30 years. We have two children – Jared and Gretchen. Jared is at home and Gretchen is at NDSU. And look forward to running for school board and hopefully, make a difference for our students and staff.
Jason: Originally, I’m from New York Mills, MN. I moved here in 1996 and lived here for two years, then left Crookston and moved back. I met my wife in 1999, she’s a Crookston native. We lived in Grand Forks and Manvel from 2000-2008. In 2008, we moved to Crookston. We wanted to make our home here. Be closer to her family. She grew up here, I’ve always loved this town, so we wanted to come back and live in a community we believed in and loved.
Marcia: My name is Marcia. I’ve lived in Crookston for over 37 years. I’m married to my husband David Meine, who has been a lifetime resident. We have two children and seven grandchildren.
Q: Why are you running?
Dave: I have always wanted to be involved in that level of schools. Obviously, when I’m a teacher, I’m not able to do that. I ran for the board right after I retired and was lucky to be elected and reelected. I still think that there is lots of work left to be done. Clearly, with the COVID problem, we have right now I think we need experience veterans at the helm.
Frank: I was thinking maybe 12 years is enough but with the COVID situation, and with our current Superintendent of Schools Dr. (Jeremy) Olson it’s really been running smoothly here so there isn’t as much work as there was before being the chair. I still have meetings but probably the main reason is the year, 2020, COVID. It’s just crazy and I think it’s probably good to have experience on the school board during this crisis and things like that. That’s probably the main reason, to not jump out when you should be jumping in.
Mike: I ran last year and was elected to fill a position vacated by one of the board members who moved away. I’ve been around quite a while. I’ve been in the business side of things with the state government and I think I can lend some credibility and accountability to the school district. I want our children to do the best they can. In this COVID time, it’s difficult, and I worry about student scores slipping. So, one of my priorities is to make sure our students maintain their ability to obtain an excellent education. I think that can be done in the Crookston School District.
Jason: A lot of people have asked me that question. A lot of people have asked me if I would run. One of the reasons I guess is I look at the makeup of the school board and currently we only have one parent of children in school here in Crookston. I feel as a father and a grandfather that parents need a little more representation on the school board. I can say that I’m the only parent running this year with kids in school. And bringing some fresh and new ideas hopefully to the board, and think outside the box a little bit.
Marcia: I’m running for school board for my seven granddaughters. Currently, there are four of them within the school system. One of them is in high school already. I want the best opportunities and the best school system that Minnesota can offer my granddaughters.
Q: Anything you would like to add?
Dave: This is an interesting event. I’m curious to hear what other people have to say up and down the ballot, so to speak. And it’s going to be fun.
Frank: I just appreciate the support the school district residents have given myself, the school board, and the entire school, certainly the staff. The staff has risen to the occasion. They’ve been the real heroes of this COVID adventure we’re in. And I appreciate it. It’s sort of like everybody is here at the right time that they should be to help us get through this COVID. I’m just appreciative of our staff, our administration, and particularly, not only our students but the parents of our community have just been outstanding.
Mike: Regardless of who you vote for, I want you to go out and vote. It’s important, especially in this day and age. I look forward to serving if I am reelected. I think I do have some things I can definitely grow on. This is my first year on the board. But regardless of who, please go out and vote.
Jason: I ask that many people maybe take a chance on me. We have some long-range concerns I feel coming down the road that we’re going to have to address. We’re going to have to take a serious look at the best way to utilize our buildings, our programs. I’m a firm believer in the three As – academics, athletics, and arts. I think we need right size Crookston Schools. While we offer probably the most activities of any school our size, I feel like we’re maybe sacrificing quantity for quality. So, we need to take a look at some of our activities and go from there. There are a few items I’d like to bring to the table. But first and foremost, I want to immerse myself in this and learn everything I can learn before trying to bring my agenda to the table. Ultimately the board answers to the people of the community and I want to be somebody that can represent the people of the community.
Marcia: I think we need some fresh people on the school board. I know that Frank Fee and Dave Davidson have done enormous and wonderful things over the years. But I think it’s time for new people to get on board, come up with some ideas, and if people will give me the chance I’m a grandparent that has listened to a lot of parents that have children in the school system. I would like to be a part of the Crookston School Board and (make) Crookston the best school in northern Minnesota.
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