I’m running because I love South St. Paul and believe that our schools are the beating heart of our community.
The Packer identity that South St. Paul prides itself on - Once a Packer, Always a Packer - is formed through the relationship building that happens in our buildings. These relationships start for some folks at birth through involvement with our Early Childhood programming all the way through the Senior Center programming hosted out of Central Square.
I believe amazing things are happening in our District and I would like to continue to be in a position to support this work and share it.
Serving our community on the School Board the past three years has been an amazing privilege that I humbly ask the community to entrust me to continue.
Why I’m Running
Priorities
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Continuing to make progress on the Strategic Plan adopted in 2025.
This plan, developed with community members, parents, and staff over the winter of 2024 and spring of 2025 focuses the work of everyone in the District.
During my time as chair, the Board approved this plan and developed annual evaluation tools to assess the work of the Board and the work of the superintendent in making progress towards the identified goals.
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Focusing on academic growth and development and expanding academic and extracurricular activities for our students.
Amazing things are happening in our District - but it takes time to see the results. Fortunately, we already can see the positive change since I first joined the Board.
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Supporting our staff through respectful collaboration during labor negotiations and providing many opportunities to hear directly from staff when making decisions through surveys, committees, and direct access.
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Listening to our community and sharing the work that the Board is doing.
No one individual on the School Board has power, it’s about the group of seven discussing what’s before us and representing the entire community.
Being elected to represent our community is a great honor and I take the duty of listening to the many perspectives around me very seriously. No one person will have the perfect answer - but working together, we can make great progress.
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Working with our local elected leaders to move legislation that will support strong outcomes for our students.
South St. Paul needs elected officials to be aware of how decisions made in St. Paul or Washington D.C directly impact our students.
I will continue to go to the state capitol to meet with our representatives and their colleagues to advocate for what’s best for South St. Paul.
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Promoting our districts strengths and what makes us unique to draw new students, families, and staff.
We all know there’s something special about SSP. Our kids get to experience smaller class sizes on average compared to our neighbors and have the chance to participate in so many amazing activities and athletics due to our small size while still having the amazing opportunities to graduate with an IB diploma, participate in amazing internships and take advantage of our Tri-District partnerships.
About Kim
I grew up on the West Side of St. Paul, graduated high school from Saint Croix Lutheran in West St. Paul, earned my bachelors from Concordia College in Moorhead and my masters from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Paul and I met in high school, married in 2005, bought a house and moved to South St. Paul in 2008 and started growing our family. We have three kids in the South St. Paul schools. Our youngest, Theo, is a 5th grader at Kaposia. Our daughter, Berniece, is at the Middle School starting 7th grade. And our oldest son, Henry, is a Junior at the High School. Our kids are involved in many sports and activities and keep us running around.
I work at Luther’s Little Explorers as the Infant Room Teacher and occasionally help in the Toddler Room. I occasionally sub in the District for the ECFE (Early Childhood and Family Education) program and the ABE (Adult Basic Education) program.
In my free time, I enjoy reading, hanging out at home with my family, solving crossword puzzles, walking my dog, and sleeping.
Maybe You’ve Bumped Into Me At . . .
A Kaposia PTA meeting, I’ve been a dues paying member since 2021.
At Luther Memorial Church where I am a member of the Community Care Team, teach Sunday School, and am active in the Book Club
A Red Cross Blood Drive, I’ve been a Blood Program Coordinator since 2019
Mission for the Visually Impaired, I’ve been a volunteer since 2019
A SSP Youth Hockey Association game cheering on the Ice Hawks or fulfilling my dibs
A Dakota Soccer Club game
A SSP Theatre production in the HS auditorium
SSP HS Sporting event cheering on our Packers
At Black Sheep ordering an iced miel
My Board Service
I was appointed to the Board in July 2023.
I was elected to complete the term in a November 2023 Special Election.
In 2024, I served as Treasurer.
Since 2025, I have been serving as Board Chair, being elected to do so by my fellow board members. I also am on the Policy Committee and the Executive/Superintendent Committee.
I serve as Board Liaison to:
The Community Education Advisory Committee
The Senior Center Board at Central Square
The Minnesota State High School League
Prior to becoming Board Chair, I also served on the Facilities, Finance and Long Range Planning Committee.
Minnesota School Board Association Recognition
In service to South St. Paul, I stay actively involved with the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA). I have been recognized or selected to serve for the following:
January 2025 - Leadership Development Certificate
December 2025 - Delegate for Director District 7 (South Metro) at the annual Delegate Assembly (two-year term)
January 2026 - MSBA Directors Award
Questions & Answers
Can I vote early?
Yes!
Absentee Voting begins on September 18.
Beginning October 16, you can cast a ballot directly into a ballot box at South St. Paul City Hall.
The South St. Paul City Clerk has instructions on Absentee voting and dates and times for Early Voting. Make a plan to vote in the November General Election!
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Where do I vote on November 3rd?
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The South St. Paul City website has a list of all poll locations along with maps of the areas they serve. You can also use the Minnesota Poll Finder to search by your address and get a sneak peak of everything on the ballot once it is available.
Where can I get information about the other candidates?
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Keep checking this space for sources like the West St. Paul Reader Candidate Questionnaire and League of Women Voters/Town Square Television Candidate Forum once they have information about this year’s school board candidates.
What is the Permanent School Fund?
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The Permanent School Fund (PSF) is a trust of public lands set aside for the benefit of public schools.
A ballot question in the November General Election will propose a MN constitutional amendment to update how those funds are distributed.
I encourage everyone to vote Yes, because it would generate an additional $80,000 in PSF distributions for South St. Paul.
Leaving this question blank counts as a no vote, so please consider voting Yes on November 3rd.
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question or idea, want to host a yard sign, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help.