LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS CANDIDATE FORUM - Seat 3 - Karen MacLaughlin and John Whelan - follow this link: 
www.youtube.com/live/Remh20t3sBo?si=oAQWcHLL1Y9Vy-xC
Other school board and local candidate forums: 2024 General Election Candidate Forums - YouTube

MEDIA COVERAGE: ROCHESTER POST BULLETIN CANDIDATE Q & A follow this link: Karen MacLaughlin, Rochester School Board Seat 3 candidate - Post Bulletin

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES (SEATS 1, 3, AND 7), OTHER LOCAL CANDIDATES AND LOCAL ELECTION NEWS HERE: 

Election 2024 - Post Bulletin | Rochester Minnesota news, weather, sports

Rochester School Board candidates share their views on the district's referendum

​Dedicated to the Rochester Community.

Public Education and Community Advocate.

• I am passionate about public education. I believe strong public schools are the foundation for a strong community.
• I focus on student safety, belonging, and support​.​
• I strongly support development and implementation of the District's strategic plan.
• I advocate for increased school funding.
• I collaborate with colleagues, other government officials, and community partners.

Thoughtful
​Decisions.

• I do my homework so I can ask informed questions.
• I strongly support data-driven decision making.
• I am a problem solver by nature and always looking for creative solutions.
• ​In 2022, I initiated an unexpected motion to terminate an extended superintendent search and offer then Interim Superintendent Pekel a contract, the board passed the motion unanimously.
• In 2022, after the Uvalde, TX school shooting, I helped author a board resolution to provide students and families with information about safe gun storage, the resolution passed unanimously.

​Experienced
​Leader.

• Minnesota School Board Association Leadership Development Certificate (2024).
• Proud parent of a 2023 RPS graduate.
• Chair of Legislative Committee and Member of Community Budget Advisory Committee.
• Elected and re-elected Board Clerk and previously elected Board Treasurer.
• Elected to MSBA Delegate Assembly
• Experienced attorney representing low-income clients who often face barriers to accessing the court system.
• Rochester community member for 25 years.
• 2020 Campaign: Endorsed by REA (Rochester Education Association)
  

At my core, I'm a problem solver.

Why Re-elect Me to the Rochester School Board?

It's not time for business as usual. 

Independent School District #535 and our community face some tough issues. The Rochester School Board is currently experiencing significant budget and financial challenges requiring thoughtful and creative solutions, collaboration and clear communication with everyone in the Rochester community.

Strong public schools build strong communities. As a Rochester School Board member, I will continue to prioritize how best to help ALL students succeed. A "good education" for all students starts in our Public Schools, with thoughtful and creative decisions and a welcoming school environment. I believe the Rochester School District does a good job welcoming students, but I believe there is still work to do related to education equity and discipline disparities. As the Rochester community continues to grow, the Rochester School District and school board MUST respond to that growth and related impacts on our District.

As a problem solver and experienced attorney representing low income clients everyday, I'll continue to listen, I'll do my homework, and I'll ask tough questions. I'll do as my teenager describes, I'll "literally find a way to figure it out." I've been an involved parent and an involved member of this community for years.

​How can you help me to help our community? Tell your friends about me and vote to re-elect me to Seat 3 on the Rochester School Board.

  

Let's connect to share ways to help all students achieve their goals.

CONTACT ME

Changing the world is possible, and students will lead the way.

Paid for by Campaign for Karen MacLaughlin for School Board, P.O. Box 8063, Rochester, MN 55903-8063