Compiled by Joseph Back

The day is approaching, and before the next issue of the Hastings Journal is released, the choices, will be made. With six current candidates running for three open seats, here’s a sample of what readers should know about who’s on the ballot, with further resources available online: Mike Reis

With online presences both on Facebook at ‘Mike Reis for School Board: Hastings ISD 200’ and through a website with address of https://hastings.education, Mike Reis believes as an introduction that kids should be put over politics.

As such, Reis isn’t happy with the current school board, for which he coins a quasi-motto: “Rules for thee, but not for me.”

Positioning himself as an outsider and handily sharing current school board member contact info at his campaign website, Reis asks for your vote this November 2.

Jessica Dressely

Next up for voter consideration, ISD 200 school board candidate Jessica Dressely grew up outside the area and moved to Hastings with her husband in 2008. A stay-at-home mom with two children in the local schools Dressely is running for a seat on the ISD 200 school district board in part because she believes that academic excellence measured by student successes “should be at the center of every policy written, every taxpayer dollar spent, and every curriculum and education goal set.

With more information available at https://www.jessicadresselyisd200. com, Dressely asks for your vote on November 2.

Tashina Miller

Parent. Advocate. Leader. Those are key words that native Minnesotan Tashina Miller uses to describe herself on her campaign website at www.tasinamiller.com. An outsider in terms of the board election, Miller has three main goals if elected: 1) Recruit and retain teachers and staff 2) Support kids of all backgrounds and skills 3) to provide a safe learning environment With three kids of her own in Hastings schools, Miller seeks your vote on November 2.

Scott Gergen

Enrollment, expenses, and levies—they’re all a part of budget making. With an online campaign presence on Facebook at Scott Gergen for Hastings, MN ISD 200 School Board, Scott Gergen of Hastings holds forth on other topics as well, including Critical Race Theory ( he offers an explanation and history), Diversity, Equity,and LGBTQ, and even filing a Freedom of Information Act request with the district as regards “all emails between Mike Reis and anyone at the school district as they pertain to any of his FOIA requests from August through today,” Gergen shared as of October 14.

Meeting ballot competition with action, current board member Gergen asks for your vote November 2.

Kelsey Waits

Kelsey Waits is seeking reelection as chair of the Hastings School Board on November 2. A military spouse and mother, Waits has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy form the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs and is currently pursuing her PhD, according to information at her campaign site of https://www.kelseywaits.com. With a Facebook presence at Kelsey Waits for Hastings School Board (@kelseywaitsMN), Waits seeks continued resident support.

As such, and among her accomplishments, are entering into a Solar Garden contract to save the district “an average of $100,000 per year,” along with a district proclamation on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and “working to actively engage community members in the superintendent search.” Once again, Waits seeks your vote once again this November 2.

Carrie Banaszewski Tate

Listing among her qualities honesty, strong leadership, and creative problem solving, Carrie Banaszewski Tate grew up in Hastings and graduated with the Class of 1996. She then went on to earn a BA in International Business Management “with a minor in Spanish” from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2000. Married to a St. Paul Fire Captain, she has “two awesome kids” in the 2nd and 6th grades. With more information available at https://carrietateisd200.com, Carrie Banaszewski Tate asks for your vote on November 2.

Jessica Dressley

Kelsey Waits

Scott G ergen

Mike Reis

Tashina Miller