Meet School Board Candidate Mark Sparano, a CPA with an MBA

In just a few short months, Edina voters will be able to weigh in on four open seats on the school board.

The election will be held Nov. 5. All school board seats are at-large, meaning the entire school district will be able to vote for each seat.

Nine people—seven newcomers and two current board members—are vying for the seats.

Early each week, Patch is running a profile of one of the candidates. 

Today, meet Mark Sparano, an accountant with auditing and risk management experience who lives in Sunnyslope.

Occupation: Chief Audit Executive

Which neighborhood do you live in? Sunnyslope 

Website, Facebook page or other contact information: msparano@gmail.com

What unique perspective, experience or expertise would you bring to the school board?

Experience in financial services, risk management and auditing. I am a CPA so I hope that expertise will add value to the school board. Lastly, my schooling spans good to great experiences from grammar school to an Executive MBA - I hope these personal experiences will help me be a good school board member.

What are the top challenges facing the Edina School Board?

1. Attraction and retention of talent for the entire school system

2. Maintaining Edina Public School's stellar academic record

3. Ensuring we stay current with advances in education

What role does a school board member play in helping raise academic achievement for all students and close the achievement gap? 

If a school board member acts in the best interests of the students, his or her actions will create the environment that raises academic achievement. A board member's oversight duty is a factor, not the only factor, in helping Edina Public Schools raise its overall academic achievement.