Election 2023: South St. Paul school board special election

Voters in the South St. Paul school district will elect a school board member in a special election on Nov. 7. Four candidates will be on the ballot.

General information about the Nov. 7 election is online at twincities.com/tag/elections. In addition, twincities.com/news/politics/elections will have a full voters guide with candidates for Ramsey, Dakota and Washington county races online this month. To find out where to vote, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s online polling place finder at pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

Kim Humann (incumbent)

Kim Humann, candidate for South St. Paul School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 43
What qualifies you to hold this position? I am a life-long learner who sees the work of the School Board beyond the K-12 framework. I am invested in the quality of public education as a parent of three students and in the long-term success of our district as a homeowner. I am currently filling the open seat until the election, chosen by the School Board based on an interview process.
What would your top priorities be if elected? My priority is make sure we follow through on the promises made during last year’s levy referendum: to provide our students with excellent curriculum and educational opportunities in classes where they can be heard and valued and to provide our staff and families with professional, academic, and mental health supports.
What do you think is the primary role of government? School Boards need to be responsive to their districts and govern responsibly by maintaining a clear vision of what our community values are and how they are passed along to the learners in our district through the implementation of policy and the allocation of resources. Boards hold the superintendent accountable for the execution of those plans.
Website or contact information: [email protected]

John R. Wilcox

John Wilcox, candidate for South St. Paul School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 49
What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m running because I want a School Board that responds to the needs of students, families, and teachers in our district—not one that gives more weight to the demands of individuals and groups from outside our district, people who have no personal stake in the education we offer to our community. our District need an advocate on the Board.
What would your top priorities be if elected? Accountable: Accountability is key to seeing policies through. School board members must be able to back up their decisions and actions with facts and data. Advocates for the Community: Board members have the opportunity to advocate for their districts at the municipal, state, and national levels.
What do you think is the primary role of government? Government should play a smaller role in regulating business and managing the economy. More focus on individual liberty.
Website or contact information: [email protected]

Dan Vick (Candidate information not available)

Beth Johnson

Beth Johnson of South Saint Paul, candidate for Special School District #6 School Board in the November 2023 election. (Courtesy of the candidate)

Age: 63
What qualifies you to hold this position? I have lived in South Saint Paul for 33 years. My husband I raised 3 daughters, and all are graduates of SSP. I have been an active community member, including coaching, Girl Scouts and served on the Kaposia Education Center parent committee. I recently retired after serving 23 years as a special education teacher in South Saint Paul Schools.
What would your top priorities be if elected? All communities need to represented by their stakeholders. My top priority will be to increase engagement of families of SSP. This will be deemed successful when conflicts decrease, student population increases and ALL students are engaged in the school community.
What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to make sure their citizens are safe and to defend their human rights..
Website or contact information: Email: [email protected]

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