In our August 17 edition, we introduced you to the six candidates that had applied for the school board at that time: Brandy Wentzler, Mariah Ring, Matt Bruns, Matt Seeger, Pam Onnen and Nancy Blanchard. Three additional candidates put their names in the hat after the paper had gone to press.  

Because of their last-minute decisions to run, we gave them time to write their introductory statements so we could run them as we did for the six mentioned above. The three additional candidates are Melissa Millner, Jenny Wiederholt-Pine and Philip Biermaier. We will be sending all nine candidates the same list of questions to answer for our readers as we get closer to the Nov. 7 election day. 

Here are their introductions. 

Jenny Wiederholt-Pine 

I’m Jenny Wiederholt Pine, an alumnus of Hastings High School. I am running for school board and would love the opportunity to serve the school, families and children of this community. Hastings has always been a great place for families to raise and educate their children. I want every child in Hastings to have the same opportunity and experiences that I had growing up here. In a small way, I’ve been able to give back to the community as a volunteer coach in our youth sports programs.  

A school board’s decisions can impact everyone differently in this community. Collectively, the administration, teachers, parents and students need to commit to excellence in education and make decisions that are in the best interest of all students. I think I can have a positive influence, foster unity and commit to our future excellence in education. After all, the children of this community are our future! 

Philip Biermaier 

I'm Philip Biermaier, and I'm running for the ISD 200 School Board this upcoming fall. As a graduate of the class of 1983, a lifelong resident of Hastings, and a former business owner, I am driven to contribute to the community that has been my home for all of my 58 years. 

Having also served as a former Union President, I deeply understand the significance of supporting the membership not only financially, but also in various other capacities. With experience in budget management from both the private business sector and my role as a union leader, I am well-prepared to make a positive impact.  

With your support, I am committed to elevating educational standards and fostering an environment where more students can establish a robust educational foundation for their future endeavors. My goal is to ensure that their accomplishments are acknowledged and that they are well-equipped for life after high school. It is crucial that we prioritize education and instill in young individuals the belief that they can achieve greatness, rather than lowering expectations. 

As a father of three children who are all proud graduates of Hastings High School, I have a personal stake in the success of our school district. I understand the importance of providing a quality education that prepares students for the challenges of the modern world. 

Melissa Millner 

I have been a part of the Hastings community for 25 years. First moving here to start a Chiropractic clinic with my husband and then staying to build our business and raise our four kids in this wonderful community.  Our two boys have graduated from Hastings public schools and have both gone on to college.  Our oldest daughter is an 8th grader at Hastings Middle School and our youngest daughter is in 5th grade at Pine Harbor Christian Academy.   

When we were first considering moving to Hastings, everyone we met would tell us what a great community Hastings was and that the school district was one of the best in the state, assuring us we would be so glad we raised our family here. 

Fast forward 25 years. Our two boys had great experiences, excellent teachers and coaches and even earned many credits toward a college degree while attending Hastings High School.  However, as my next two kids move toward high school and middle school, I am concerned about the current academic state in District 200. That is why I am running for school board.  I believe we, as a community, have the capacity for great improvement in our school district. For example, we have on-going issues with behavior and a lack of good process supporting our teachers. Some spend more time disciplining than teaching. We also have many families living in Hastings choosing to “opt-out” of attending our Public Schools.  With the mass exit of roughly 25% of our students, our school district is losing precious funding that could be used for improving every aspect of our schools.  

We have amazing teachers in this district, and I do not want to lose them to burn out and frustration.  We need to rally for our teachers, our kids and the great community of Hastings.  Instead of so much division, let's come together and reclaim our "one of the best in the state" status! If you have any questions for me about why I am running for school board, please come visit me at an upcoming meet and greet!   

I envision a district where families contemplating a move here are enticed by the impressive statistics that reflect our thriving community. I am humbled to be a candidate, standing not as a part of a group, but as an individual who firmly believes in our potential for improvement. 

Whether you choose to vote for me or not, I encourage you to exercise one of our most powerful rights as parents: the ability to vote. It is time to forge ahead, leaving behind past circumstances and focusing on providing our youth with the quality education they deserve.