Gary Eder - The state scores don't account for what is actually the true learning in this area. Many of our non-white students arrive with a great handicap of language and previous learning experiences. To include them in the assessment is not fair or accurate.

Al Dahlgren - It is no secret that St. Cloud is becoming more ... socially and economically diverse. ... It is the role of the state, county, city, school administration and school board to work cooperation to see to it that the needs ... are understood...

Les Green - Test scores, while important, are second to the emotional belief that education is intrinsically valuable and relevant to the future of the individual and the community.

Cindy Harner - I have been invited to sit on an advisory panel with the curriculum director, administrators and other community members to help write the improvement plan for the district. I'm sure this will be an interesting and challenging process.

Bruce Hentges - I believe our district is moving in the right direction in looking at the NWEA testing as a measure of student growth. This test would give us a clear picture of the educational growth of our students and a fair assessment of how our schools are doing.

Deb Lalley - Explain steps to narrow the achievement gap in 200 characters or less? Can't do it. There are two parts to this question, achievement gap and state testing. BOTH are problems needing solutions.

Jim Murray - Every child deserves an education geared towards excellence. The first steps towards begin in kindergarten. All-day kindergarten should be available to all families at no charge.

Ron Seibring - Make children feel safe and secure so that they are ready to learn; identify at-risk children and give them the opportunity to be prepared; partner with the community as it takes a village to raise a child; engage parents and identify expectations.

Gary Eder - ...I want to give back to education what I and my family have achieved in the past. I have run my own private practice and ... do a lot of research on any subject I need to be informed about. I have done some salary negotiations on ... nonprofit boards...

Al Dahlgren - First, unlike the current board members, I have children who attend 742 schools. Second...with almost 30 years of business management experience...I think my life experience has been much different than any of the other candidates.

Les Green - I have been a resident of this community for over 40 years, I have been involved in St. Cloud public education as a student, a teacher, an administrator, a father and as the spouse of a District 742 teacher.

Cindy Harner - I had 10-plus years in the banking field. I worked in various positions ranging from personal and business banking to management. I wore many hats in these positions including human resources, training, and customer relations.

Bruce Hentges - Grew up in Clear Lake and attended District 742 schools K-12. BA from SJU and MA from SCSU. Employed by District 742 for 35 years. Served in a wide variety of leadership roles in District 742 and in the community. Strong knowledge of District 742.

Deb Lalley - I have the longest historical perspective on the board having started in 2000, have chaired twice, remain active in the community as an advocate for children and their families.

Jim Murray - As a parent of two school age children I know firsthand the successes and failures of our district I'm an involved parent and take great pride in living in the St. Cloud community. I am excited at the opportunity to serve the people of District 742.

Ron Seibring - I'm a good listener, collaborator and consensus builder. Significant experience in board work, current vice chair of school board and chair of personnel/negotiations committee, active member of the community for 22 years.

Gary Eder - n/a

Al Dahlgren - Question 1 definitely needs to pass. The impact on the district if it does not pass would be devastating. The cuts would be deep, the effect would be demoralizing and the impact would be long lasting. Question 2 is specific and would benefit the district.

Les Green - We need the money to avoid the problems that other cities created because they failed to develop a perception in the mind of young people that the American Dream is a reality, especially in the minds of studentsof color.

Cindy Harner - I serve on the levy committee. This is a heartfelt issue with me. We are not looking at buying a Cadillac - we are looking at keeping the Pinto. I encourage all voters to support the levy and vote yes.

Bruce Hentges - I strongly support all three levy questions on the ballot. The levy we will vote on this fall is vital to the educational future of our district and to the health of the St. Cloud area. Our students need these resources to compete in a global economy.

Deb Lalley - Approval of all three questions is the most important decision citizens can make this election. It is the difference between declining schools, neighborhoods and property values and a growing/thriving community.

Jim Murray - Nobody wants a tax increase. Due to flawed educational funding from the State the district is forced to seek additional funds through levy requests. The need is critical and immediate. Waiting will only worsen the situation. We must pass the levies

Ron Seibring - Questions were developed with significant thought and community input. All three questions are critical to strengthen our district. They are ranked in the order of absolute necessity to our district and even in these economic time should be supported.

Gary Eder - If this doesn't pass, the board must make immediate plans to bring the system to the students with the least amount of distress possible. We also need to be researching the possibilities of obtaining financial support from other sources...

Al Dahlgren - First of all, question 1 is the only question that must pass to avoid making $4.3 million in cuts. If question 1 does not pass it will be a very tough situation...Dr. Jordahl has already outlined a preliminary proposal for how the funds would be cut.

Les Green - We will need to reassess everything we do and do the very best with what we have. Public education has no other option, we must educate all who come to us regardless of the degree of funding we have.

Cindy Harner - I believe we are going to have to ask more from our parents, neighbors and community members. We will be in need of even more classroom volunteers to help the teachers. We will be asking for more from the community. Creative thinking will be needed.

Bruce Hentges - I would favor closing our most expensive buildings in order to save money that could be used to reduce the wholesale layoffs of teachers and support staff, the loss of our elementary schools and the elimination of important educational programming.

Deb Lalley - A failed vote will cripple the district. If our efforts are not convincing with all of the citizen donation of time, money and energy to this second campaign, then we will have no choice but to wait for reality to sell the need.

Jim Murray - If the levy fails to pass the job of minimizing the needed cuts falls upon the superintendent and the board. Then the job of rebuilding begins with working on communication and trust between the community and its school system.

Ron Seibring - We will need to partner with our community to create new opportunities and find resources to meet the need. We will need to be aggressive in working with our area legislators and other districts in securing more state funds.