Seven vying for three District 622 School Board seats

Talk about it

More...

• School board candidate profile: Rich Bennett
• School board candidate profile: Mark Wheeler
• School board candidate profile: Chuck Myers
• School board candidate profile: Robert Martin Jr.
• School board candidate profile: Arnoldo "Arnie" Curiel
• School board candidate profile: Marc Cove
• School board candidate profile: Amy Coborn

After the Nov. 2 election, there will a few new faces seated on the District 622 School Board.

Six candidates — Rich Bennett, Amy Coborn, Marc Cove, Arnie Curiel, Robert Martin and Chuck Myers — and one incumbent — Mark Wheeler — are vying for the three open school board seats.

An eighth candidate, Michelle Yener, had initially filed but has since dropped her candidacy.

Current School Board members Scott Duddeck and Cathy Miller chose not to file for re-election.

District 622, which serves much of Maplewood and Oakdale, also serves a northern portion of Woodbury.

Superintendent Patty Phillips said she is pleased with how many candidates filed this year.

“I think we have caring citizens who realize the importance of education and want to have a role in shaping its direction in our school district,” she said.

Phillips said the issues facing the school district over the next few years include improving student achievement, closing the learning gaps, engaging in the community more.

One significant issues facing the school district is the renewing of the school district’s operating levy, which brings in operating dollars by charging $833 per pupil.

Even though District 622 will be undergoing a significant change on the School Board, Phillips said it should be a smooth transition.

“The new board members and the seasoned members will form a new team, build trust and learn to work interdependently toward common goals,” she said.

Phillips said she appreciates School Board members who put the needs of students at the forefront of every decisions and School Board members who can work together collaboratively to advance the strategic directions and achieve the measurable goals.

Below are profiles of all seven school board candidates.

Tags: daily updates, 622 school board, election