Meet School Board Candidate Karen Waters, a Classroom Volunteer

In just a few short weeks, St. Louis Park voters will be able to weigh in on three open four-year seats on the school board.

The election will be held Nov. 5. All school board seats are at-large, meaning the entire school district will be able to vote for each seat.

Board chair Bruce Richardson and former chair Jim Yarosh are both seeking re-election. Christine Johnson, Karen Waters and Jim Beneke are also looking to join the board. (Board member Ken Morrison will run unopposed for a two-year seat.)

Today, we meet Waters, a classroom volunteer at three St. Louis Park schools.

Which neighborhood do you live in? Brookside

Website, Facebook page or other contact information: www.karenforslpschoolboard.org

What unique perspective, experience or expertise would you bring to the school board?

Serving as a classroom volunteer at Peter Hobart, Susan Lindgren and SLP Middle School certainly brings a current perspective to the challenges our students and teachers are facing. In my other service to the district through various task force projects I’ve learned the importance of listening deeply to build consensus as we make choices within limited budgets. Finally, I’ve learned how to be an effective advocate for kids as a Children First Asset Champion and through volunteer work for improved state funding with Parents United for Public Education.

What are the top challenges facing the St. Louis Park School Board?

The top challenges facing our schools include:

1. Closing the Achievement Gap
2. Funding - including how to sustain successful programs once grant monies expire.
3. Freight Rail Re-route
4. Maintain our competitive edge with continued excellent programming vis a vis the array of choices in education in St. Louis Park and surrounding communities.

What role does a school board member play in helping raise academic achievement for all students and close the achievement gap?

I believe that St. Louis Park could be one of the first districts in the state to eliminate the achievement gap. The board will continue to oversee the work of Rob Metz and all district staff to engage with students, parents and teachers implementing successful best practices, analyzing data to pinpoint needs and solutions and collaborating with the greater community to ensure support and access for all of our learners.