Vote Betsy for Hopkins School Board!
Growing up in the Hopkins School District, I had so many teachers, staff, administrators, neighbors, and parents looking out for me and my fellow students. We were nurtured both academically and socially. It was this strong community and my loving family, I believe, that were the foundation for my success and confidence in life. I am honored to serve on the Hopkins School Board and do my part to advocate for today's students and the future of the Hopkins School District.
On November 3rd, please give me your vote!
What are People Saying About Betsy?
Sun Endorsement
Our Viewpoint: Scheurer, Wootten endorsed for Hopkins School Board
Sun Newspapers is endorsing incumbent Betsy Scheurer and first-time candidate Susan Wootten for Hopkins School Board. There are three seats on the board up for election this fall.
Scheurer was elected to the School Board in 2005 and has proven herself to be an informed, thoughtful and active representative of the district. She was part of the board that worked to remove Hopkins from statutory operating debt in 2006 - a situation the district ended up in before Scheurer began serving.
Though the district will continue to face financial challenges in the coming years due to the state's budget crisis, Scheurer can be expected to make decisions that will benefit Hopkins as a whole in the long-term. She also advocates for education at the Capitol in her role as co-chair of the Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition.
Wootten said her decision to run for School Board was the natural extension of 15 years of parent involvement in Hopkins. She is an example of a parent who is knowledgeable of the administrative side of the district thanks to her involvement with the Hopkins Education Services Advisory Committee and the Superintendent's Parent Learning Academy.
She has a good understanding of the many challenges Hopkins will face in the coming years and will be a strong advocate for parents who want the best possible education for their children.
The two strongest candidates for the third seat on the board are Israel Alguindigue and Warren Goodroad.
As a business consultant/technologist, Alguindigue can be expected to continue seeking new ideas to implement technology in the classroom that will enhance student learning. One of his primary focuses is to teach children skills that can be put into the context of real-world applications - a worthy goal in this global economy.
Goodroad has had three children graduate from Hopkins and one that is still in the district, so he is extremely familiar with the district at the parent level. He is a long-time coach and volunteer, which shows a strong commitment to Hopkins.
Though both Alguindigue and Goodroad are knowledgeable about the issues that Hopkins faces, Sun Newspapers recommends that they get involved with one or more of the district's many committees or organizations that give community members a look at the type of decisions members of the Hopkins School Board have to make on a weekly basis.
We give the same advice to Paul Scofield, who could make for a strong board member with a little more experience serving on the district's committees and organizations. Scofield has an adequate general knowledge of issues such as school funding and federally mandated testing, but would make a stronger candidate in a few years after delving further into these issues through district volunteerism.
MN Sun, Oct 22nd 2009
More Letters
Scheurer education leader
To the editor:
Betsy Scheurer is an education leader. She has not only navigated challenging years on the Hopkins School Board, but also found ways to innovate despite difficult budgetary conditions. Betsy has my strong support.
The past four years have posed significant challenges to the Hopkins school community. The declines in state funding coupled with a district budget shortfall have made it extremely difficult to do right by our children.
However, Betsy has been a voice for fiscal discipline and responsibility in the face of these challenges. She has consistently advocated to protect classrooms and kids in the face of budget cuts.
Despite these difficult times, Betsy has not simply advocated the status quo. She has been a state and district leader in advocating or even creating innovative programs and policies. Betsy started the Alumni Challenge at Hopkins High School to better connect and engage graduates and co-chairs the Legislative Action Coalition to work with state leaders to better support our district.
Betsy Scheurer is a true educational leader who will do right by Hopkins' school children. She has been and will continue to be a solid voice on the Hopkins School Board.
Steve Kelley
Hopkins
Kelley is the director of science, technology, and public policy at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota and is a candidate for Minnesota governor.
MN Sun, Oct. 29th 2009
Scheurer caring and compassionate
To the editor:
My name is Tammi Ettinger-Brengman, a Hopkins business owner, Hopkins School District resident and mother to Hopkins students Zach and Josh Brengman.
I have known Hopkins School Board member Betsy Scheurer since 2002, when she first started exercising at our Curves with her mother. In those seven years, I have known Betsy as both an elected official and as an individual.
Betsy assumed a position of leadership in our district while navigating some of our most challenging times. She took on this role with great maturity and a constant commitment to kids. Her four years on the School Board have given her the experience needed to make the tough decisions for our district.
As an individual, Betsy is caring and compassionate. She believes in hard work and doing the right thing. Most importantly, she believes in our kids, public education and our Hopkins School District community. Join me and vote to re-elect Betsy Scheurer on Nov. 3.
Tammi Ettinger-Brengman
Minnetonka
MN Sun, October 15th 2009.