Six candidates in South Washington County Schools forum outline competing priorities on safety, literacy, equity and budgets

Six candidates for South Washington County Schools (District 833) summarized competing priorities and policy views at a League of Women Voters candidate forum ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

The forum, moderated by Liz Nordling of the League of Women Voters, featured opening and closing statements and a rotation of questions on fiscal performance, school safety, literacy, equity, mental-health services and community engagement. Six of nine candidates participated in person or via read statements.

Why it matters: Four board seats are open in District 833; the school board sets policy on curriculum, district strategy and hiring and influences how local bond and levy dollars are spent. Voters will decide in the Nov. 4 election (early voting Sept. 19–Nov. 3).

Budget and finance: Candidates generally said the district has maintained a fund balance to buffer instability but emphasized different priorities. Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg said the district has “tried to buffer itself and build up a fund balance” to sustain programming. Incumbent Katie Schwartz said fiscal decisions must prioritize classroom instruction and noted uncertainty in federal special-education funding.

Chad Borseth and other candidates argued for stronger school-level cost containment and more…