District voters will have the opportunity to vote for three school board candidates in the November 5 election.
Current board member Andy Jindra is one of three candidates on the ballot:
What is your background? I have been a resident of Cleveland since 2000, and previously grew up in Le Center, and attended Le Center Public Schools. I have been married to my loving and supportive wife Julie for 24 years. Together we are raising two children: Allison (20), who graduated from Cleveland in 2022 and is now attending Minnesota State University, Mankato in the Dental Hygiene program, and Carson (13), who is in 7th grade at Cleveland School. I have been with Le Sueur County Highway Department as the shop foreman for the last 12 years and am an active member of the Cleveland Fire Department for the past 24 years.
What motivates you to run for the school board? Being on the Cleveland School board for the past 4 years, I am proud of what has been accomplished by the amazing staff and administration in our school district as well as all the community support the school has received.
What perspective do you bring to the board that may differ from others? See my priorities below.
What is your position on the operating referendum special election? The future for public schools will continue to be an ongoing challenge with the need to balance a quality education, to sustain a healthy budget, and to maintain the current programs we have in place with the decreasing state funding and the new state mandates. Without this operating referendum we may lose some of our current programs that are currently being offered.
What will be your top priority if elected? My objectives have not changed since I joined the board in 2020:
Provide a quality education where our kids can excel after high school in college, trade or the workforce
Continue ensure our students reach their full potential by providing them with the best teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, coaches and advisors.
Share school district information within our community while listening and addressing concerns, opportunities and feedback.