Patch Candidate Profile: Mark Grondahl For ISD 197 School Board

MENDOTA HEIGHTS, MN — This fall, Mendota Heights residents will vote on school board members for ISD 197.

Mark Grondahl is one of 10 candidates running for School Board in the Nov. 2 election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles over the coming weeks.

Are you running for School Board? Contact Morgan Reddekopp at morgan.reddekopp@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate profile and submitting campaign announcements to Patch.

Age (as of Election Day): 50

Position Sought: ISD 197 School Board Member At Large

Party Affiliation: None

Family:

Katie Grondahl - Wife
Jack Grondahl - Son
Grace Grondahl - Daughter
Claire Grondahl - Daughter

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: None

Education:

BA from University of St. Thomas in Accounting
MBA from University of MN Carlson School of Management in Finance

Occupation: Risk Manager

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Campaign website: None

Why are you seeking elective office?:

I believe that my life, work, family experience allow me to bring new energy, opinions, and thoughts to the current board. Bringing decades of experience developing new teams, improving existing teams, leading diverse teams through all times, working with budgets (expanding, contracting, efficiencies), being creative and seeing new angles makes me an ideal candidate during these challenging times. I have worked with 100’s of people from all backgrounds and can see all sides.

I come to the School Board to listen and learn. If I found that improvements should be made, I would be strong and vocal to push for those improvements. I believe that if the Board votes 7-0 on every vote, then new voices are needed. Ideally, all Board members will listen, learn, and do what is best for the students.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it:

Considering the budget, I would ask for a review of all the large areas to understand what the budget is being used for and what the district is getting out of that spend. Also, I want to understand the bonding and operating levy referendum process. Why does it happen when it does? As the bond and operating levy process is a way to pay for the vision of the District and Board; what is that vision?

Referendums should be voted on only in years of Presidential elections (2012, 2016, 2020, 2024, …) where the most voters cast their vote and make their voice heard. The voice of the people (the most people) should be followed. The 2014 rejection and the 2018 re-vote was embarrassing as the Board forced their wishes on the people.

In 2014, nearly half of all voters voted in an off-year election. That was an incredible turnout. The vote was 65% against vs 35% for. The voters spoke loudly with a resounding defeat of the stadium.

The 2018 vote was conveniently not even in November but rather May. Only 15% of registered voters voted. In the end only about 10% of the registered voters made the decision for all tax payers.

The voters spoke (voting No in 2014) but that Board chose not to listen. The Board should communicate the why of these needs in a better manner rather than sneak these bonds through the vote in off-year elections.

2014 Stadium Question – $4,585,000 – 5,974 Yes (35%) vs 10,706 No (65%); out of 37,293 registered voters (about 44% of all voters voted)

2016 – Presidential Year - no bond election found

2018 – Many improvements including the Stadium - May 8 – $117,000,000 – 3,601 Yes (62%) vs 2,180 No (38%), if 37,293 registered voters (about 15.5% of all voters voted)

2020 – Presidential Year - no bond election found

2021 – Elect 3 Board Members, no bond election found

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?:

I am not a politician nor beholden to a Party or a Special Interest Group. That may be good or bad, I will let the voters decide. I want to do what is best for the students in all cases. I understand that some decisions that are best for the students may be contrary to what I would personally decide. However, my job would be to vote with the students. I think this is a critical difference between me and other candidates.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency):

Through the referendum process the current board does not listen to the voters. From the outside looking in, the board had a want and they would present it to the voters until it was passed. Rather than presenting a compelling reason why the referendum was good and worth it, they decided to re-offer it in a weird month and during weird timing. I would push for only referendums during Presidential election years when the most voters have their voices heard.

How do you think local officials are performing in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?:

This is a hard one. I don't worry about the past if new information is presented. The Covid-19 pandemic is full of new information throughout 2020 and 2021.

That said, during this time, all of us where learning and modifying our lives based on the information provided. In early 2020, an aggressive and conservative reaction was warranted as we didn't know how this would affect us. So the Board's reaction was reasonable and in-line with the knowledge at the time. Luckily, there were many paths for learning to continue. As more information/data came into focus and the 2020/2021 school year started, it made sense to start conservative. However, the board never adjusted when information came into better focus.

I think we can serve the most students by offering in-school learning, distance learning, syllabus based, and perhaps other ways. I think we should have as many options for students as possible, even if it helps only a handful of people. This allows for parents to chose what decisions fit their life the best. Many will chose in-school with or without masks, some will chose distance learning from home, some will chose other options. Ideally, if there is a need and we can fill it, then we should fill it.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Critical Race Theory or Something Similar

My view is that our children should be taught the whole truth of American and World history. The good and the bad. Not in a political way but in a factual way. We can learn a lot from history. We want to repeat the good and not repeat the bad. Our children should be taught the whole truth and then be able to discuss what they have learned with trusted adults and form their own opinions. Our schools should not be editorial and should not lead students down politically based paths.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?:

I have lead 100's of people over my career. These people became my friends and come from all walks of life with many views very different from mine. I have been lucky enough to have discussions with many of them that have solidified my views or changed them. I am level headed and willing to listen and learn and adjust. I do think my job would be to not force my views on everybody but to do what is best for the students of 197. I would want to voice my thoughts, be strong, and vote accordingly.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Say, "Yes". When someone asks for help, say yes. When someone asks for advice, be nice but say yes. When the school needs your skills, say yes. When the community needs your thoughts, say yes.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?:

(Didn't answer)