Matt Schaefer
Why do you want to be a member of the ISD 199 School Board?
As a member of this community, I want to see the best for Inver Grove Heights. Having served on the school board the last 4 years, I feel that IGH Schools have made great progress in communication with the community and making good use of the levy dollars that the voters of IGH approved for the district. But the work is not done. Since I still have kids in the schools, I want to help the school district and the school board achieve its goals and make this community the best it can be.
What experience do you bring to this position? How have your experiences prepared you to fulfill the responsibilities of a school board member?
I have served on the IGH School Board since 2016 and I have been Chairperson of the Board since 2017. I have two children in the district. I also serve on the Housing Committee in IGH. I am employed at CHS Inc. as a Business Development Analyst.
I have taken many courses over the last 4 years that are offered to school board members that include such topics as school finance and policy. I have served on the Finance, Personnel, and Policy Committees of the school board.
My job entails analyzing and interpreting large amounts of data and condensing that into easily readable and usable information and communications. I have used all of these aspects to help the school board achieve its goals in a clear and concise manner. I would like to continue doing so.
What are the most important issues concerning the Inver Grove Heights School District and how would you address them?
The district must continue to be transparent and methodical with the levy dollars the community approved in 2017. There has been great communication so far as to how those dollars have been spent and that communication needs to continue to be at the top of the district's "to-do" list.
Also, we must continue to find the best ways to serve all of the students (regardless of their learning level) in the district from grades PreK-12. Once again, communication and transparency are keys here. I will continue to ask questions and expect answers that show ISD 199 is doing all it can to serve each student.
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