Meet SLP School Board Member Jim Yarosh, an Attorney Running for His Fourth Term

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 Yarosh, an attorney running for his fourth term on the board.

Occupation: Attorney

Which neighborhood do you live in? Browndale

Website, Facebook page or other contact information: jyarosh4221@gmail.com

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

I am running for re-election for my fourth term on the school board. I have served almost 12 years on the board. The knowledge that I have gained during my time on the board and my experience will continue to serve the district well. This is particularly true given that our top administrators are so new to their positions. Rob Metz, our Superintendent is in his first year of ever being a Superintendent and Joann Karetov is in her first year as a high school principal. A stable and experience board will help ensure their success.

In addition, my background as a real estate attorney has been extremely valuable because the district has had a number of real estate issues which have needed attention. For example, I provided leadership and guidance with the sale of Brookside school and the leasing of Cedar Manor. I continue to be actively involved in the sale of Eliot school. 

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

The top challenges faced by the school board are reducing and eliminating the achievement gap, increasing the utilization of technology in the classroom, developing a more coordinated, IB middle school and maintaining the district's financial health.

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

A key role for a school board member in raising academic achievement is to remove barriers and the obstacles that exist for the educators to implement programs and processes for obtaining academic achievement. For example, the school board must make the administrators feel empowered to try new techniques and programs to achieve success. In addition, school board members must make achievement for all students a primary goal upon which the Superintendent and others will be measured.