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Brainerd School Board interviews Chip Rankin; candidate emphasizes curriculum, behavior supports and community continuity

Brainerd School Board / Brainerd Public School District · February 4, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The Brainerd School Board began superintendent finalist interviews, hearing from Chip Rankin, who highlighted data-driven behavior systems, literacy and curriculum coherence, and the need for targeted funding. The board approved the meeting agenda, MSBA outlined interview procedures, and Rankin recommended an exit survey and potential referendum if additional revenue is required.

Brainerd — The Brainerd School Board convened a special meeting to begin interviews for superintendent finalists and unanimously approved the meeting agenda before MSBA representative Barb Dorn reviewed logistics for the district’s search process.

Chip Rankin, introduced as the first interviewee, told the board he has deep local ties and extensive K–12 and military leadership experience and said, “I’m not running from anything. I’m running to Brainerd.” Rankin described a leadership record that includes principals’ academy work, district-level strategic planning and a focus on visible community presence.

Rankin outlined several priorities he would bring if hired: implementing a guaranteed, K–12 curriculum with pacing guides, restoring smaller elementary class sizes where possible, and using data to drive behavior interventions. On disciplinary improvements, he said his prior district used PBIS and…

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