Eight candidates are running for four seats on the White Bear Lake school board in November’s election.

General information about the Nov. 3, 2026, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Age: 41

What would your top priorities be if elected?

My top three priorities center on delivering an open, safe, and academically excellent school district: Elevating Core Academic Standards: We must refocus on instructional excellence. I will prioritize rigorous curriculum standards, comprehensive teacher support, and targeted intervention programs to ensure every student masters essential reading, math, and science skills. Restoring District Transparency: Public trust requires open doors. I will be an accessible board member, clearly communicating budget allocations, and proactively updating policies so parents and taxpayers know how decisions are made. Ensuring Robust School Safety: Learning requires security. I will advocate for updated physical measures, mental health resources, and emergency protocols. Crucially, true safety means building a culture where both students and teachers can raise safety or behavioral concerns and trust that they will be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed effectively without fear of retaliation. By focusing these items, we can build a stronger district where students thrive.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I have a long history of service to my country and community. I served 20 years as a US Marine working along side people from every walk of life. I’ve followed, led, and learned from all of them. After retiring, I stepped into the private sector managing a successful small business in the community. All that said, my number one qualification is being a parent of a student in the district. I have a personal interest in ensuring my son’s future success, and that starts with the schools.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

The role of government, and specifically elected officials is to accurately represent their constituency. Voters elect you to represent them and their values in the best way possible. This requires integrity and the ability to work with people from all sides of any given issue respectfully and courteously to arrive at a solution that best represents the population.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I’ve always found opposing views fascinating. The most interesting part about it is more often than not, people want the same thing, they just don’t agree on how to get there. If you can guide groups of people to the realization that all everyone wants is for their children to have a healthy, safe, successful upbringing, the rest of the conversation is just working out the details. Unfortunately today, we are in short supply of leaders willing to bring opposing sides to the table and work toward mutual understanding. I hope to remedy that in the school district.

Website or contact information: https://danarcandmn.com.

Age: 46

What would your top priorities be if elected?

1. Our schools are more than places of learning. They are the heart of our community. They bring people together, prepare future generations, and reflect the values we share as neighbors, families, and residents. I believe every child deserves to feel welcome, safe, supported, and valued at school, and every family deserves to feel connected to their child’s educational experience. I am dedicated to strengthening the connections between our schools and community so that every family feels welcomed, heard, and proud of the schools we share. 2. Early childhood education, special education, gifted services, career pathways and alternative learning are not separate parts of our school system. They are an essential part of fulfilling our commitment to all students. Every student deserves access to the support, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. I will advocate for strong partnerships between families and educators and for thoughtful investments in programs that help students thrive. When we invest in students with diverse learning needs, we strengthen our schools for everyone. 3. Fiscal responsibility means making thoughtful decisions that reflect our community’s values and put students first. Our budget should support the programs, services, and opportunities that are proven to help students succeed while being transparent and accountable to taxpayers. I believe in understanding how the system works so we can keep what is effective, improve what can be strengthened, and change what is no longer serving students well. Responsible leadership means balancing today’s needs with long-term sustainability to ensure our schools remain strong for future generations.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

As a Senior Business Analyst at a Minnesota based technology company, I bring 20 years of experience reviewing complex systems to provide stakeholders with practical recommendations in clear and concise language that guide all toward mutually beneficial solutions. As a member of the school board, I would bring that same thoughtful, analytical approach to understanding the school system – identifying what works, improving what doesn’t, and helping ensure decisions are informed and centered on student success. Working on a global team spanning three continents, I am experienced in navigating diverse cultures, perspectives and priorities in ways that help people feel heard, respected, and included. Certified in Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue, I am committed to fostering effective communication and collaborative problem-solving, approaching disagreements with curiosity, respect and a focus on finding common ground. I currently serve as Chairperson of the Vadnais Heights Park, Recreation & Trails Commission, where I have gained firsthand experience working with residents, staff, and elected officials to support thoughtful decision-making, community engagement, and transparent local governance. My commitment to service reflects my belief that strong communities are built through active participation, respectful collaboration, and a shared investment in the future.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

I believe the primary role of government is to serve the people it represents. That means listening to the community, communicating openly, and making information accessible so people can understand how and why decisions are made.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

In my Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue training, I learned to recognize the self-justifying stories we can tell ourselves when we disagree with someone. It’s easy to assign intent to someone who sees an issue differently, but assuming intent rarely moves a conversation forward. Instead, I try to set those stories aside, focus on the facts, and approach disagreement with genuine curiosity. By seeking to understand another person’s perspective, we can often find common ground. On a school board, disagreement shouldn’t be about winning an argument. It should be about asking the right questions, understanding different perspectives, and making decisions that meet the needs of our students.

Website or contact information: https://www.mcfarlaneforisd624.com/

Age: 47

What would your top priorities be if elected?

Fiscal responsibility, safety for students and support teams, and an inclusive environment for all.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I am running for the White Bear Lake Area School Board because I want to help ensure that every student, teacher, and family in our district has access to the resources, supports, and safe learning environments they need to thrive. I am committed to eliminating fraud, waste, and abuse so that 100% of taxpayer funds are used for what matters most: our students, their teachers, and their support teams. I believe in policies that reflect the needs and priorities of our community and in building strong partnerships between schools and families.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

As both a parent of two children that are currently enrolled in 624 and a taxpayer, I have seen firsthand how important it is for schools to be safe, supportive, and fiscally responsible. My professional background includes audit, policy development, IT, PACER volunteer, and nonprofit fiscal oversight, giving me a strong understanding of how public and nonprofit systems operate and how to strengthen them. I value fiscal accountability, safety, and collaborative problem solving. These are qualities I believe are essential for effective school board leadership.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I believe in collaborative problem solving and mediation.

Website or contact information: MelissaRobertsforWBL@yahoo.com.

Age: 47

What would your top priorities be if elected?

My top three priorities are literacy, inclusion, and transparency because each is essential to student success. Strong literacy is the foundation for learning across every subject and for lifelong opportunity. We must strengthen instruction through better resources and time for our teachers while providing interventions when students are struggling. Inclusion ensures every student feels safe, valued, heard, and able to reach their potential, especially those with learning challenges. Transparency builds trust, strengthens partnerships with families and staff, and helps our community understand how and why decisions are made.

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I bring a unique combination of experience and perspective to the school board. For 25 years, I have served public education as a teacher, Minnesota Teacher of the Year, education policy leader, and principal. I have experienced firsthand what it takes to teach and learn, lead schools, support educators, shape policy, and make difficult decisions that impact students and families. I also know personally the life-changing power of public education. That experience gives me both a deep understanding of the system and an unshakable belief in its promise. I am a listener, a thoughtful problem-solver, and a fierce advocate for every child and I will bring those qualities to every decision.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

I believe the primary role of government is to help people and strengthen the communities we share. Government officials should listen to the people it serves, be transparent about its decisions, and clearly explain how and why those decisions are made. It should work for everyone, not just those with money, influence, or the loudest voices. At its best, government is rooted in service, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring every person has an opportunity to succeed.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I believe leadership begins with listening and approaching differing perspectives with curiosity rather than defensiveness. When elected to public office, I will represent everyone in our community, including those who did not vote for me, and it is my responsibility to listen to a wide range of opinions, not just the loudest ones. Listening to understand is a different skill set than listening to respond, and it is a skill that I have practiced throughout my career, making me a stronger teacher, principal, and ultimately, school board member.

Website or contact information: Website: https://www.vernoshforwbl.com/ Contact: vernoshforwbl@gmail.com.