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Haagenson - who was born in Paynesville, moved away, and then moved back with his family 10 years ago - has two children in the district (Robert in ninth grade and Katrina in fifth grade), two children outside the district (including Laura, who attended school in Paynesville but is now a senior elsewhere), and a 13-month-old with his wife, Dorothy.

In lieu of the tight financial situation facing schools across Minnesota, what can be done to improve the educational offerings in Paynesville at little expense?

Improve attitude. Again, a short response to a complex issue. The attitude I'm talking about relates to culture. The school board, staff, faculty, students, and bus drivers must step to the plate together on this one. Remember it's not so much what we say but how we say it, and there is not additional funding needed for enthusiasm in what we are responsible for doing - educating all of our children.

If elected, what initiatives do you expect to push in the next four years?

Initially, first, with no fewer than two new members in a seven-member board, our school board will need re-norming and will need an understanding of the unique contributions and differences among members. I will push for that understanding, so we can get to work as a group.

Second, if no vote has been cast for the new superintendent and Todd Burlingame is a candidate and has selection committee endorsement, I'll vote for him. (Editor's Note: the school board recently agreed to have Burlingame become the next superintendent.)

Ongoing, first, I will contribute in any way that I am able, both on and off the board, to the culture of Paynesville Pride. Second, I'll actively market and sell our community and school district to people looking for a better solution (and there are many). Finally, I'm going to witness increasing enrollments and the ability (once again) to invest new funding in support of growth initiatives.

Gretchen O'Fallon
Gretchen O'Fallon, 43, has served on the school board since 1996, when she was appointed to replace Velda Larson. She was re-elected to a four-year term in 1999 and has served two years as clerk.

O'Fallon, a 1977 PHS graduate, and her husband, Jim, currently have two children in the district: Bobby, a senior, and Russell, a seventh grader. Their daughter, Erin, graduated in 2001.

In lieu of the tight financial situation facing schools across Minnesota, what can be done to improve the educational offerings in Paynesville at little expense?

We need to remember to include our local resources. We are fortunate to be a community filled with knowledgeable, successful, and talented people who are more than willing to share with us.

If elected, what initiatives do you expect to push in the next four years?

If re-elected, I plan to help keep the Paynesville Area Schools the best they can be for the next four years and always. Our community is a great place to live and our schools are a major piece of that puzzle!

Bonnie Strobbe
Bonnie Strobbe, 56, has spent 51 years in education. The Iowa native taught, coached, and served as an athletics administrator, assistant principal, and principal during a 34-year education career, including 25 years at St. Paul Central.

For the past nine years - since moving to Lake Koronis full time - she has worked in St. Cloud and Sauk Rapids. She retired as principal of Mississippi Heights Middle School in June 2003.

In lieu of the tight financial situation facing schools across Minnesota, what can be done to improve the educational offerings in Paynesville at little expense?

The amount of options available are becoming more and more limited as the federal government enacts nonfunded legislative mandates such as "No Child Left Behind." We need to look at the present program to see where we can enhance and deepen the learning within the established offerings.

If elected, what initiatives do you expect to push in the next four years?

Rather than additional initiatives, we need to creatively and adequately finance our present initiatives on a priority basis.

Paul Thielsn
Paul Thielen, 43, moved to Paynesville with his family in 1999. Of his five children, four have attended the Paynesville Public Schools, including three currently: Todd, a junior; Jessica, a sophomore; and Alexxis, 5, who has suffered from health problems for three years, uses preschool special education. (Another son, Tony, graduated from PAHS in 2003.)

A 1979 graduate of Grace High School in Fridley, now Totino-Grace High School, Thielen is a printer by trade but is now a stay-at-home dad until Alexxis gets medical clearance to attend daycare.

In lieu of the tight financial situation facing schools across Minnesota, what can be done to improve the educational offerings in Paynesville at little expense?

Volunteers. Use volunteers when extracurricular activities happen, instead of paying staff. The schools are not the only ones that are facing tighter budgets.

I would also like to see more educational offerings via the Internet. Keeping up with technology will benefit everyone.

If elected, what initiatives do you expect to push in the next four years?

My position would be to give more to the students. More meaning education offerings, extracurricular offerings, and such.

I oppose tax levies. They only divide the community, as some families do not benefit from this.

I would also hope that the board would agree with me that the administration is here for the students and not the other way around.