VOTE ELIZABETH HANKE FOR MANKATO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD

Hanke’s dedicated to our schools, students

• By Julie Strusz Mankato

I am writing to enthusiastically endorse Elizabeth Hanke for the Mankato Area School Board.

Having canvassed alongside Hanke, I have witnessed firsthand her deep commitment to listening to the community’s concerns and genuinely engaging with the issues that matter most to our schools. Her attentiveness to the needs of Mankato’s families is refreshing, whether the conversation is about increasing access to remedial services, addressing transportation needs, or ensuring safe and consistent disciplinary standards for all students.

Hanke is also a strong advocate for creating inclusive spaces for all students. I deeply appreciate her stance against restricting access to school activities by race. She understands that every student should have the opportunity to participate, succeed and feel a part of their school community. Her vision is one of unity, where we work together to foster an environment that celebrates the potential in each child.

Hanke and I share the belief that our primary investment should be in the classroom, directly supporting teachers and students. We both stand for prioritizing funding where it impacts students most while carefully managing administrative growth. This approach ensures that resources go where they are needed most— into the hands of those working directly with our students.

Hanke’s dedication to our schools and students is undeniable. I am confident that she will serve as a valuable advocate for all of Mankato’s children, teachers and families, helping to shape a stronger future for our community.

Julie Strusz

Mankato

Schools need effective leadership

• By Sarah Scott Mankato

As a former public school teacher, I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges our schools face. The state of education in Mankato, like much of Minnesota, requires a bold, pragmatic approach that prioritizes what matters most — empowering students and supporting teachers.

We need leaders who understand that education isn’t about burdening taxpayers with poorly directed funds but ensuring every dollar creates the best learning environment. Funding should be directed toward classrooms, rather than being wasted on excessive paperwork, meetings and bureaucratic overhead. Teachers on the front lines deserve the resources, respect, and support to do their jobs well.

Transparency must also be a priority. Parents, teachers, and taxpayers need to feel confident that policies and curriculum are developed with their input and that school boards and administrators are held accountable. Open communication fosters trust, and trust is essential to a thriving educational community.

Finally, we need streamlined policies to address growing classroom discipline issues. Too often, red tape prevents teachers and administrators from enforcing necessary boundaries. To attract and retain great teachers, they must have the authority to maintain respect and order in their classrooms.

As a community, we should support candidates committed to common-sense solutions — those who prioritize classroom funding, support teachers and value transparency and discipline. That’s why I’m supporting Tim Flynn, Elizabeth Hanke, Joel Hollerich and Chris Kind for school board, and Dar Vosburg for the Minnesota House.

Elect leaders who can tackle problems

• By Ronald Schmidt North Mankato

As a resident of North Mankato, I believe it’s critical to elect school board members who can effectively tackle the challenges facing our schools. That’s why I’m endorsing Elizabeth Hanke, Tim Flynn, Joel Hollerich and Chris Kind.

Our district has seen a 5% drop in enrollment since 2019. This loss directly reduces funding, putting strain on critical programs and resources. We need leaders with practical, forward-thinking solutions.

These candidates have demonstrated service leadership — working with students, hosting exchange programs and volunteering in mentorship roles. They are committed to bringing fresh ideas into the classroom and creating collaborative opportunities for staff and students.

Additionally, with 20% of students not graduating in 2023, we need a school board focused on transparency and accountability. Clear performance metrics, including tying cabinet and superintendent pay to student outcomes. This level of accountability ensures that leadership decisions prioritize student success

Safety is another priority. These candidates advocate for clear disciplinary strategies, funding for remedial services along with efforts to improve access for low-income students, ensuring that all students can participate in after-school activities and conferences.

Hanke, Schwartz deserve support

• By Dominique Winchester North Mankato

As an immigrant, I know firsthand the importance of fostering diverse perspectives and opportunities for young adults, especially as they learn to navigate a complex world. This is one of the many reasons I am proud to endorse Elizabeth Hanke for the Mankato Area School Board.

Hanke has shown a unique commitment to broadening students’ horizons, hosting exchange students and creating transformative experiences that benefit both the students and our community. Her dedication to diversity in education makes her the right choice to lead our schools toward a stronger future.

Alongside Hanke, I would also like to endorse Erica Schwartz for the Minnesota House. Schwartz’s journey exemplifies resilience, courage, and commitment to community. Facing a brain tumor in her senior year of high school, she later endured the heartbreaking loss of her fiancé while pregnant with their daughter, Virginia.

As a single mother, Schwartz worked tirelessly to provide for her family, demonstrating the perseverance and strength that make her a remarkable leader.

Her experience as a student recruiter at South Central College, an advocate for education across southern Minnesota and her studies in political science highlight Schwartz’s dedication to accessible, quality education.

VOTE ELIZABETH HANKE FOR MANKATO AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL

Dear Beth,

You are a fantastic neighbor and the type of person who appreciates digging into fine details. I know you ask questions and seek out information on any topic before you, and I believe we need people like you serving our community—those who enjoy the process and are truly engaged. We still have your sign in our yard, and I am voting for you as a candidate for the ISD 77 School Board! Thank you for stepping up; fewer people are willing to dedicate the time needed to make our communities better places.

I personally understand some of the challenges and rewards of community service, as I served on the Blue Earth County Board for nearly nine years, elected three times. I would never have considered writing a letter as a group statement, yet I see that this posted letter was written collectively by members of our current school board. This is troubling to me. I’m also surprised that our School Superintendent has permitted such actions, which I believe may violate Minnesota Open Meeting Laws. This should concern our entire community, especially if we hope to maintain fair and transparent public meetings in local government affairs moving forward. The process of our school district’s decisions can be just as significant as their content.

Thank you for running to serve on our ISD 77 School Board.
Sincerely,
Drew Campbell