Meet the Candidates: Sauk Centre Public Schools Board of Education

Sauk Centre voters will select three people to fill four-year terms on the Independent School District 743 Board of Education. The four candidates to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot are incumbent John Drevlow and Patrick Jennissen, Adam Kleinfehn and Robert Wiener. 

Each candidate was presented the same questions, word limits to their answers and deadlines to return the questionnaire. Any responses beyond the maximum length were cut off at the limit with ellipses. 

John Drevlow
Age: 44

Family: Married 21 years to Varina; four boys — Andrew, 18, Jacob, 16, Alex, 15, and Kyle, 13.

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve on the board
of education? I have a diverse professional background, a father of four SCPS students, nearly four years of current experience on the SCPS school board, and passion to support students learn and grow.  I am invested in Sauk Centre and believe a thriving school feeds the future of our community.

According to the Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Report Card, students at Sauk
Centre Public Schools are performing at a lower level than the state average when reviewing whether students meet standards in math, reading and science over time. How, if it all, should this guide school board action in coming school years? I believe the use of data is key to developing strong plans. Comparing our students to their peers across Minnesota provides valuable insights, developing a comprehensive plan requires a broader data set. Additional data could include year-over-year performance by grade, individual student progress over time and trend analysis, along with tracking the impact of specific actions on performance. Integrating information allows administration to create targeted action plans that address unique needs of our students. The administration currently recognizes the importance of evaluating Sauk Centre students’ testing performance as an input to their overall plans and uses the information to evolve … 

What is one concern you have heard repeatedly from constituents, and how do you plan to address
that concern? Over the past four years, a concern that has bubbled up most consistently has been related to the building project at school. My plan is to continue to help address through the following tactics: be responsive, learn and enhance, and proactive sharing. Engage with each individual requests and help inform them of the details they request. Continue to share with the board and administration what I hear and discuss how we can improve going forward. Infuse ideas and facilitate discussion to continue to enhance proactive communications and updates.

Are you encouraged by the current direction of the Sauk Centre School Board? Why or why not? I am truly encouraged by the current direction of the school board, drawing from my experience as a current board member. It’s inspiring to see a dynamic team of individuals with diverse backgrounds coming together to prioritize a safe, student-focused environment. Our collective vision for the future is clear, and I believe we are well-equipped to implement continued enhancements that will benefit our students and community. Together, we can ensure that our school administration delivers a comprehensive plan that supports the needs of every student.

What will be your top three priorities as a board member? As a member of the board, my top three priorities will be:
— Support the enhanced student experience: Maintain a lens of a productive environment for students. Focus initiatives that foster a supportive and enriching learning environment, empowered by our dedicated teachers and administration.
— Community representation: I am committed to being a voice for the community, ensuring that their needs and perspectives are integral to our decision-making.
— Future leadership and support: I will advocate for innovative strategies and resources that prepare our students for success, while guiding the school toward a bright and sustainable future.

Patrick Jennissen

Age: 47

Family: Wife, Brenda, and three daughters — Maizie, 16, Livia, 14, and Quinncy, 13.

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve on the board of education? Six years Holy Family School Board. Helped to build and develop SC JA (Junior Achievement Program) at HFS and public school. Nine years serving NATM (National Association of Trailers Manufacturers) — six years on executive board and two years as president. Open-minded and unbiased approach to listening/problem solving. 

According to the Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Report Card, students at Sauk Centre Public Schools are performing at a lower level than the state average when reviewing whether students meet standards in math, reading and science over time. How, if it all, should this guide school board action in coming school years? There are many ways to evaluate success at a school beyond standardized tests. That being said, this report card is an objective measurement, and it is concerning that ISD 743 is below the state average. I would like the board and school leaders to review the details of this report card and work together to come up with reasonable and achievable goals that are appropriate for our community and district. 

What is one concern you have heard repeatedly from constituents, and how do you plan to address that concern? I have not heard a consistent theme or concern from constituents, as each family has unique perspectives on how a school district should function. These views are often deeply personal and emotionally tied to individual circumstances. It’s also important to clarify that a board member’s role is not to be involved in the district’s day-to-day operations, but to provide oversight and guidance to the executive administration. Our responsibility is to ensure that all families’ needs are heard and understood, while making decisions that serve the best interests of the entire district.

Are you encouraged by the current direction of the Sauk Centre School Board? Why or why not? The current school board successfully navigated the approval and implementation of one of the largest capital referendum projects in the district’s history, while also managing the complex challenges presented by the COVID-19 era. These were highly emotional and divisive issues, and I appreciate the time and effort the Sauk Centre School Board dedicated to dealing with them. Our community is deeply passionate about its schools, and I want to harness that energy to make ISD 743 a model district for Central Minnesota and beyond.

What will be your top three priorities as a board member? I am approaching this role with an open mind. My primary focus right now is to educate myself on the current state of ISD 743 from all perspectives, including business, educators, students and administration. With a deeper understanding of these areas, I believe I can better prioritize my efforts to enhance the district. With this focus in mind, I am also interested in learning a bit more about:
— MDE Report Card ratings and other objective measures of success.
— Safety, security, and health within ISD 743.
— Aligning curriculum and courses to meet the needs of our community.

Adam Kleinfehn 

Age: 28

Family: Son of Steve and Randee Kleinfehn. Married to Lexi Kleinfehn. 

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve on the board of education? Business owner: The school should be treated like a business with handling funds, planning for future growth, and how to navigate loss or delay of state funding. Due to my business, I am in constant contact with parents, kids and teachers within the community. Health and wellness oriented. 

According to the Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Report Card, students at Sauk Centre Public Schools are performing at a lower level than the state average when reviewing whether students meet standards in math, reading and science over time. How, if it all, should this guide school board action in coming school years? Yes, the Report Card results should affect school board decisions to improve student success on standardized tests. Identifying and addressing what has changed in the way of teaching, curriculum standards and students’ way of learning. However, student success is measured not just by test scores but by students’ abilities to apply their knowledge and be prepared for the future — whether in higher education, careers or as contributing members of society. The young adults graduating from Sauk Centre Public Schools are the next generation of our community. Ultimately, it’s about cultivating lifelong learners who are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving …  

What is one concern you have heard repeatedly from constituents, and how do you plan to address that concern? A major concern is the effective utilization of taxpayer dollars to improve declining school performance. Public schools are funded through taxes, and ensuring these funds are allocated efficiently is critical for student success. Mismanagement or misallocation can lead to inadequate resources, outdated materials and insufficient support for teachers and students, exacerbating poor performance. The challenge lies in balancing investments in infrastructure, teacher development, curriculum enhancements and student services while ensuring measurable improvements. Taxpayers want accountability and transparency, demanding that their contributions lead to tangible benefits such as higher academic achievement, better learning environments and overall school improvement. 

Are you encouraged by the current direction of the Sauk Centre School Board? Why or why not? The school board did great navigating through COVID-19. They were able to identify and utilize COVID grants offered from the state to update different technologies to improve communication and safety for both staff and students. The school board was also able to navigate through a remodel and adequately deal with challenges regarding that. The school board is continuously adapting on the fly and adjusting as needed based on evolving operational needs. 

What will be your top three priorities as a board member? Keeping elementary school class sizes small. Offering a wider range of classes to better prepare students for their future. Kids physical health and health education.

Rob Wiener

Age: 56

Family: I am the son of Vic and Dutch Wiener, I am married to my wife, Jo, for 18 years. Together, we have six children and 10 grandchildren. I am a graduate of the Sauk Centre High school, and I have lived in the community most of my life.

What traits or qualifications do you possess that make you the best candidate to serve on the board of education? I have been in management for the past 20 years of my career. Most recently, I held the position of council chair in Lions International, meaning I oversaw all 12 districts of Lions clubs in Minnesota, Manitoba, Northwest Ontario. I have taken numerous classes on conflict resolution and communication. …  

According to the Minnesota Department of Education’s Minnesota Report Card, students at Sauk Centre Public Schools are performing at a lower level than the state average when reviewing whether students meet standards in math, reading and science over time. How, if it all, should this guide school board action in coming school years? This is an important issue that needs to be addressed. What is the cause of this? Are we not allowing the staff proper opportunity to teach? Are we not allowing the students the proper opportunity to understand? Do we not have the support from parents? There are many factors that go into this. I would like to get more information on the current situation before I make a suggestion on change.

What is one concern you have heard repeatedly from constituents, and how do you plan to address that concern. The thing I hear most is how the money is being spent within the district. One thing I will help the community understand is why and where is this money going. I understand that some spending in the district is mandated by state and federal funding. I along with many Sauk Centre residents want to know where tax dollars are going. Making the spending decisions as transparent as possible.

Are you encouraged by the current direction of the Sauk Centre School board? Why or why not? Since I chose the run for school board, I have been attending all meetings, trying to understand what is happening within the district. I have come to the conclusion that without all the information, I am not prepared to make decisions or suggestions. I do know I have a lot of questions that I want to research. I do feel encouraged by the board that they have done their homework on the issues that have been presented at the meetings I have attended. I want to build off the success of the Sauk Centre School District. 

What will be your top three priorities as a board member? My first priority will be to get involved and learn the background of what is going on and why. My second priority is trying to figure out why we are performing at lower than standard levels. My third priority is to be the liaison between the community and the school board. I want to hear from the community. I want to hear their concerns. I want to use that information to get questions answered and results made. I am not saying I will agree everything I hear from everyone. I am saying I will listen to make an informed decision.