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Hi, I am Abby Thostenson, and I will be running for my third term on the Minnesota Public School District. I was a 2002 Minneota graduated and furthered my education at NDSU. I am employed at Meier Electric in Marshall. My husband and I live in Minneota with our three kids. They all attend Minneota- we have a senior, a sophomore, and a 5th grader.
Why am I running for a school board seat?
I have decided to run for another term on the School Board because I remain deeply committed to our students, staff, families, and community. Serving the past eight years has been both incredibly rewarding and challenging, especially as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and the many changes and challenges it brought to our schools.
I would like the opportunity to continue serving our community, staying invested in our school district, and making a positive impact. It is important to me that Minneota Public Schools continues to provide a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for everyone who walks through our doors. I want to help ensure that our students and staff have the support and resources they need to succeed.
All three of my children currently attend Minneota Public Schools, which gives me the opportunity to see firsthand the dedication and commitment of our teachers and staff. I am continually impressed by how invested they are in our students and their success. I want to continue working alongside them and the other members of our school community to provide the best possible opportunities for every student.
I am also very grateful to our community for supporting both questions on the building referendum in August. This support demonstrates the community's commitment to our school and our students. There are so many new and exciting opportunities ahead for our district, and I am excited about what the future holds. I would be honored to continue being part of that progress and helping ensure these investments have a lasting, positive impact on our students, staff, and community.
As I complete my second term as a School Board member, I believe the experience I have gained has strengthened my ability to serve our district effectively. I am a committed and dependable person who works well with others and values listening to different perspectives. I strive to ask thoughtful questions and consider issues from both a parent and community member's perspective, while also keeping in mind my responsibility as a School Board member to make decisions that are in the best interests of the district, our staff, and, most importantly, our students.
I am proud of the work we have accomplished over the past eight years, and I would be honored to continue serving the Minneota community. I look forward to helping build on our successes, embracing the exciting opportunities ahead, and continuing to work together to make Minneota Public Schools the best possible place for our students and staff.
What are the major issues facing the District?
I believe one of the most important issues facing our district is continuing to maintain open and transparent communication with our staff, students, parents, and community. Strong communication and trust are essential to ensuring that everyone feels informed, heard, and involved in the future of our schools.
Another important priority is supporting our staff and helping prevent burnout. Our teachers and staff work incredibly hard for our students, and it is important that we continue to provide them with the tools, resources, support, and encouragement they need to do their jobs effectively. As a School Board and as a community, we need to recognize the important role our staff play and work together to support them.
We also need to remain focused on preparing our students for their futures. This means helping students successfully navigate each transition--from elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, and high school into whatever comes next, whether that is college, a career, the military, technical education, or another path. Our goal should be to help every student discover their strengths, develop the skills they need to be successful, and become a confident and purposeful member of our community.
Another emerging issue is artificial intelligence (AI). I had the opportunity to serve on our district's AI task force, and I believe AI will continue to be an important topic for our schools. Technology is developing extremely quickly, and our district will need to thoughtfully consider both the opportunities and challenges AI presents. We need to make sure our students and staff understand how to use these tools responsibly and effectively while continuing to emphasize critical thinking, learning, creativity, and academic integrity.
As we look toward the future, I believe the district's success will depend on continuing to communicate openly, support our staff, prepare our students for life beyond high school, and thoughtfully adapt to the changes and opportunities ahead.
What are the areas of concern regarding student achievement in the district?
Student achievement continues to be an important focus for both the School Board and the district. One of our ongoing priorities is identifying and addressing achievement gaps and making sure all students have the opportunity and support they need to be successful.
Each year, the administration and staff carefully review student achievement data to identify areas of strength as well as areas where additional support or improvement may be needed. This ongoing evaluation helps us make informed decisions and determine where adjustments can be made to better meet the needs of our students.
Our administration and staff continue to work hard to improve student learning by evaluating instructional practices, making adjustments when necessary, and enhancing instruction to ensure it aligns with grade-level expectations and standards. As a School Board member, I believe it is important that we continue to support these efforts, provide the necessary resources, and remain focused on helping every student reach their full potential.
Our goal should always be continuous improvement--not only in student achievement results, but also in the instruction, support, and opportunities we provide to help our students succeed.