Carrie Lounsberry

The views and information expressed in the following responses are those of the candidate. The district has only made minor edits for clarity, such as correcting misspellings.

Carrie Lounsberry (Incumbent)

Carrie LounsberryWhy do you want to be a member of the ISD 199 School Board?
 I am running for my second term on the ISD 199 School Board. My mission is similar to when I ran four years ago: to use my voice to advocate for all students. Little did I know that half of my first term would be spent leading during a global pandemic. While the last 18 months have been extremely challenging, I have been reminded that character is built through adversity. I have learned the importance of relationships, access to quality education, and opportunity.

If re-elected, I will continue to advocate for our schools to be places where students are seen, challenged, and encouraged to think critically about the world around them. I will continue to ensure that our policies are aligned with our values and that they reflect our mission. I will also continue to strengthen the relationship between the community and our schools.


What experience do you bring to this position? How have your experiences prepared you to fulfill the responsibilities of a school board member?
I taught Language Arts at the White Bear Lake Area Learning Center for 10 years and bring with me the valued perspective of an educator. I also have four children in ISD 199 and bring with me a parent's perspective. Both of these roles have been helpful during my first term, as I have seen first-hand the importance of governing with a perspective that values and respects our educators and parents, while keeping students at the center of our decisions. I am a team player and value strong, clear communication. I listen well and have a strong understanding of the role of the school board.


What are the most important issues concerning the Inver Grove Heights School District, and how would you address them?
I believe that the most important issues in 2021 are learning loss and equity. This last year and a half has been very challenging for all. Traditional learning has been disrupted due to the pandemic. If elected, I will continue to ensure that our budget is set in a way that creates supports for our classroom teachers to assist with rigorous instruction, both with filling in the gaps for students who have fallen behind and with offering enrichment for students who are ready for more. I am also committed to ensuring that every student receives what he/she needs to excel in our schools. With that in mind, I will continue to review our policies to ensure they are equitable and provide our students with learning opportunities that inspire them to be the best version of themselves that they can be. Our community will be strengthened as a result.


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