BUFFALO-HANOVER-MONTROSE SCHOOL BOARD

Adam Bjorklund

Name: Adam Bjorklund

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

I can proudly say that I have lived in Buffalo my whole life. A BHS graduate of 1998, I have called Buffalo “home” for 44 years. My wife, Abby, is an elementary teacher in Monticello.  We have two children who are in BHM Schools. Our daughter, Avery (16) is a junior at BHS, and our son, Asher (12) is in 6th grade at BCMS. I’m a Financial Advisor and Wealth Manager at Berger Financial Group, serving many local families.

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

I’ve always been very driven to serve others. Prior to becoming a financial advisor, I owned other small businesses in the Twin Cities area. During that time, my leadership skills allowed me to manage a large staff, while still maintaining a “family feel.” By blending my passion to serve with my financial background, I feel that I am a strong candidate to continue being on the school board. As the representative for BHM, I currently serve as the Treasurer on the Southwest Metro School Board in Shakopee. I also serve on the Southwest Metro Finance and Facilities Committee, BHM Insurance Committee, and BHM Investment Committee. 

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

I have deep roots in the Buffalo community. My parents and grandparents were born and raised in this community. Having my own family carry on that tradition is important to my wife (also a BHS graduate) and me. I also married into a family of educators, which has given me an even greater sense of appreciation for school staff. My commitment to and history with this wonderful town is what drives me to want to do more by continuing to be member of the school board.

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

I think some of the most important issues facing the school district are educational inequity and fiscal responsibility. Students deserve equitable access to technology, educational resources, and support from our district. They shouldn’t be granted nor denied access to opportunities solely based on the school they attend. I will work with district staff and teachers to create equitable access to educational resources, ensuring all students receive the same opportunities within BHM Schools. I will use my professional experience as a financial advisor to ensure the district is fiscally responsible with the taxpayers’ money.

Candy Burns

Name: Candy Burns

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

My name is Candy Burns. I have raised my family in Corcoran for over 27 years. Both my daughter Allie and my granddaughter McKenna have had wonderful experiences in the BHM school district. I graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Elementary Education. When I graduated, not many teaching jobs were available, and I went into the business world. I recently retired from Boston Scientific as VP of Regulatory Affairs. Since retiring, I have been exploring ways to help make the BHM schools a successful place for students and staff. I currently teach at the University of St. Thomas as an adjunct professor in the Engineering department and understand the work and challenges that go into the educational process.

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

I think I have unique qualities to bring to the school board. I have an educational foundation, and teaching experience. I also have worked in the corporate world for 20+ years managing programs, supporting and hiring people, and balancing a large budget. I am detailed orientated, a good listener, and not reluctant to make difficult decisions. 

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

Since I have recently retired from my career, I have felt a strong motivation to contribute to our community. I understand that the future will be determined by the students of today. I would like to help ensure that these students have a great education and foundation for the future.  I believe that my industry experience and educational foundation will enable me to help make BHM a great school district.

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

First and foremost, education should always provide an encouraging, safe environment for students to learn and grow. It is important to tailor education to individual student needs as much as possible, while maintaining the balance of the classroom environment. It is the board’s responsibility to engage the students, parents, and school staff to form a successful learning environment for all students.  

Another important issue is maintaining a fiscally responsible BHM budget. To succeed at this, the board must prioritize spending that retains talented school staff and provides the best educational materials, classes and opportunities.

Angela Greig

Name: Angela Greig

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

I am a 51-year-old mother to a Junior at Buffalo Senior High School.  My daughter has enjoyed attending Hanover elementary, Buffalo Junior High, and now Buffalo Senior High School.  I live close to downtown Buffalo and enjoy walking around the neighborhood.  We have made Buffalo/Hanover our home for more than 20 years now.  I currently enjoy my career as Physical Therapist Assistant, serving seniors in and around our community.  

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

My qualifications for the School Board are as follows: I have a student in the district, I also have been part of the Moms for Liberty – Wright County chapter since its inception April 2020. I have done my best to keep an eye on and ask questions about some of the things happening in and with our local schools. The network that Moms for Liberty has offered me gives me acute information that is both good and concerning. I feel like I have a unique perspective from this experience, where I will not be afraid to ask the questions or give props as required for supporting our community, our parents and most importantly the merits of our children.  

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

I have chosen to run for office for a few reasons. Number one is I would like to give back to a school system that has given my daughter a lot of different opportunities and helped me guide her through those given opportunities into the beautiful young lady that she is today.  

Number two I am a bit concerned about higher level agenda’s coming into our schools and stirring the waters up. Such as a moment of silence for George Floyd, school sponsored/supported walkouts or protests. These types of activities only serve to divide our children into groups, and this is not indicative of an environment for learning or give a pathway to exploring one’s critical thinking skills. I do not think it is appropriate for schoolteachers to have any type of political/agenda-based items in their speech or classroom. This is where kids come to explore and hone their creativity and critical thinking skills. If they feel that any teacher has a bias one way or another they will not be as open during discussion, research and such.  

Number three, reviewing the MN DOE report card Buffalo Senior High School standards test show a 10% drop from 44.4% in 2021 to 35.5% in 2024 in math proficiency, reading had a 7% drop from only 60% in 2021 to 53% in 2024 and Science had a 13% drop from only 50% to 37% drop. I think we can safely say that something needs to change in the thinking around how our students not only learn but retain this information. The district itself had decided to focus on social emotional learning, and this is the results. Our schools need to do better by our kids and our community. Only 50% of the kids can read and understand what they are reading, that does not serve our community well. I know this will not change overnight, but this school board obviously requires someone on it that can ask the tough questions and not just let what has always been done a certain way continue to burden what could be done differently in the future. 

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

The number one issue for this district is returning to a merit based grading system and making kids learn again, making kids earn their grades, not just handing out grades to make them feel good. I had my own learning difficulties as a high schooler, and it did me no good to get an easy grade. I did best, responded best and wanted to do my best where I was challenged yet given the correct tools to succeed or fail on my own. It was these very formative years that I learned that no matter what I am up against I can succeed.  

Another issue is where is the money going? $81,000,000 is our budget and yet my daughter’s swim team needs to raise more than $10,000 a year to function. I see kids running all over trying to raise money for their sports team. It is a good skill to learn how to earn, but I think the school is depending too much on the goodness of the community around it. Not to say I can fix that in one term but as many people on the board that can start asking ‘why is such and such budget go from $120,000/year to $300,000/ year’ the better in my mind.

Michael Holmstrom Jr.

Name: Michael Holmstrom Jr.

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

I have lived in Buffalo for 15 years and have loved every moment of it. My wife (Nicole) and I have five beautiful children, (Michael, Matthew, Olivia, Emily, and Cecilia). I graduated from BHM Schools, and I look forward to watching each of my children do the same. I have a career in real estate and small business and am passionate about service to our community.

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

I have a strong history in business and organization management. I have worked the majority of my career in small business management and now own several small businesses. I am a founding member of two service based non-profit organizations in Buffalo, and currently serve on the board of the local Knights of Columbus. I am also one of two Wright County Republican Party recommended candidates for BHM School Board. When elected I intend to be a voice for the community on this board. We need board members who are willing and able to honestly and critically review the current systems, processes and goals with the aim to drive the district toward innovation and excellence.

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

I am passionate about my children’s education and want every child and parent in our community to experience the highest quality education we can provide. We have a responsibility to ensure our students receive the educational opportunities necessary to forge a better future for themselves, their families, and our community.

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

In the last three years Minnesota has gone from being ranked 7th nationally in education to 19th and across the country test scores are nearing all-time lows. Schools are struggling to properly engage students. Our board needs to examine how we are reaching our students and work with our educators to determine the necessary tools, resources and best practices needed to capitalize on the time we have with them.

The BHM Board needs to make improvements in transparency and accountability. It must represent the community - a difficult thing to do if the community isn’t aware of what is happening, or worse, when voices are silenced. School Board meetings should be recorded and made public, just like our county board and city council meetings. The BHM Board must reverse its misguided decision to limit public comment and allow concerned citizens to speak during actual school board meetings. As a member of the BHM School Board, I will hold myself, my colleagues, and the administration to the highest standards, ensuring that as a taxing authority, the school district listens to the community, responds to the community, and acts in the best interests of the students and parents we serve.

Mike Honsey

Name: Mike Honsey

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

Hi there! My name is Mike Honsey and I am running for a spot on the BHM School Board. My wife Krista and I moved to Buffalo in 2010 for her work with Allina Hospital and we have three daughters that attend school in Buffalo. Our oldest daughter Marley is a 10th grader, and our twin daughters, Harper and Hayden are in 8th grade and all three play hockey. Our home is on Buffalo Lake, and we love to be on the water or enjoy a good campfire on a night that we are not at a hockey rink.   

I have a BS degree in Finance from Winona State University and spent 12 years in banking with my last position being a Commercial Relationship Officer in Kansas City prior to our move to Buffalo. When we moved here, I decided to be a stay-at-home dad until we got the kids into school. In 2015, I started Uppercut Outdoor Services which is a small lawn and landscape company here in Buffalo. This company allows me to be flexible with my time and also employ my children and make it a family business.  

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

I am a strong advocate for children. When I lived in Kansas City I was involved with Big Brothers/ Big Sisters as a Big (mentor) for four years. For the last four years I have been a youth mentor at our middle school. I also tutor with our AVID program at the middle school which works with children with aspirations of going to college. I have a passion for working with kids and love to engage with the students and challenge them to be their best.  

I am serving my 6th and final year on the Buffalo Youth Hockey Association Board of Directors, the last two years as Treasurer. My focus there is on providing a positive experience for all of our players and fostering an environment in which they learn valuable life lessons through sport.  

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

It would be an honor to serve our communities as a school board member. I believe we have a strong school system with effective leaders and educators, and I want to do my part to ensure our schools stay strong and continue to provide our students the best education possible.

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

Attracting and retaining the best employees is a problem faced by every business and school district today. I believe that BHM Schools have been successful in hiring great employees due to their strong leadership and culture.

School funding from the State of Minnesota continues to be a challenge for many schools for various reasons. I hope to use my financial background to understand and support financial decisions such as referendums and bonding that schools have to make.

Amanda Lawrence

Name: Amanda Lawrence

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself. 

Our family moved to Buffalo in 2003 so that my husband, Dale, could start his career with Stellis Health and so that we could raise our kids in this welcoming community with great public schools. Our daughters, Elizabeth and Rachel, graduated from Buffalo High School in 2019 and 2022. Our son, Lucas, will graduate this spring with the class of 2025. I have a degree in Communication and my professional background is in customer service and corporate training.  I was elected to the school board in 2020 and am excited to run for a second term!

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

In my four years on the school board I have learned so much about all things related to public education. I have spent countless hours reviewing documents, attending meetings, and completing school board training sessions. I have gained a solid understanding of school policy and finance. I have established positive relationships with district leaders and staff, resulting in productive discussion and collaboration. In my second term I would provide stability, continuity, and wisdom as a seasoned member of the board. In addition to the school board, since 2011, I have been a member of the 877 Scholarship Foundation, where I have served as both the president and the chairperson of our largest annual fundraiser, the Pork Chop Feed.  I also represent our district on the Association of Metropolitan School Districts board.

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

I decided to run for the board in 2020 because I love our schools and have a passion for public education. I knew my leadership abilities, steady temperament, and strong communication skills could serve the district well. After four years on the school board, my dedication to this work has only grown. I come to every meeting prepared, ready to listen and ask questions. I am a team player who knows that a school board is only effective when all members respect each other and are willing to work together. I want to ensure that BHM continues to be a place where our outstanding staff wants to work. I want every student in our district to believe in themselves and that their unique talents and abilities are an asset to the world.

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

Like every public school district, the top issue facing our district is a critical shortfall in funding. Every year, the gap between the cost of running the district and the amount of state funding we receive gets larger.  We are forced to ask the residents of our district to make up this difference in order to maintain the staffing levels, programs and overall excellent education that our students deserve.  Minnesota did make a large investment to public education in 2023, but the investment nowhere near erased the cumulative effect of over 20 years of shortfalls. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. Communicating with lawmakers and advocating for public education is vital.

Tim Zbaracki

Name: Tim Zbaracki

Position you are seeking: 877 School Board

1. Tell us about yourself.

I currently live in Hanover with my wife and four kids. We’ve called Hanover our home for three years.

2. Describe your qualifications for the position you seek and how you can serve the district and students.

I served in the Air Force as an officer for six years. I served in Iraq and Afghanistan, where I led diverse groups of people. One of the biggest things I learned while in service to my country is that everyone’s role is valued. No matter how small their role is, they contribute to the overall mission. As a leader, I was expected to lead by example; as well as provide the direction of my team. After my time in the military, I had a sergeant I had the pleasure to serve alongside tell me “I don’t know what you did, but it worked.” I said it was a team effort. I will bring that same attitude and dedication to the district.  

3. Explain why you have chosen to run for this office.

I chose to run because I am concerned about the direction our schools are going. If students are to dream, believe and achieve, we’re not doing them any favors if they’re not able to perform at grade level. That has to change. I will be a voice of the parents and teachers that want to improve things who feel burdened by too many policies.  

4. What do you consider to be the most important issues facing the school district now? 

The most important issue facing the school district now is the proficiency ratings in math, reading and science. Under 40% of the graduates are proficient in math and science, and just over half in reading. How are we preparing students for the future if they can’t perform at grade level? I believe the problem to this is large classroom sizes. Who doesn’t want smaller classroom sizes? The district is made up of over half the positions being administrative. It’s way too top heavy. There are not enough teachers. If you reduce the bureaucratic structure of the school district and get more teachers, you get smaller classroom sizes. Students will get more individual attention from that. Pretty soon, those proficiency ratings will increase.