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Election 2023
Carly Berglund

Anoka-Hennepin ISD 11: School board election 2023

'Controversial topics' meeting
More than a dozen people spoke at a meeting of the Anoka-Hennepin School District on Monday, Dec. 12, 2011, in Coon Rapids.
MPR Photo/Tom Weber

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The Anoka-Hennepin district includes schools in Anoka, Blaine, Champlin, Brooklyn Park and Coon Rapids. One candidate will be elected from each of the districts below. Seats in districts three and six do not expire until 2025, which is why they are not on this year’s ballot.

MPR News emailed each candidate in this race and asked them questions about their qualifications, priorities and the most critical issue their district faces. The following responses were edited for length and clarity to provide a closer look at each candidate’s priorities if elected as a board member.

District 1

Erin Heers-McArdle (current board member)

  • “I’ve worked in schools from pre-K through college in a variety of capacities, have been an advocate for students with disabilities for over 25 years, and have served on a national board for a disability awareness organization,” Heers-McArdle told MPR News.

  • “The common root of the most critical issues facing the district is a lack of adequate funding,” Heers-McArdle said. “This year, school districts across MN received unprecedented funding, but with that funding came unprecedented mandates and unprecedented inflation, leaving little to no money to put toward salaries and class sizes.”

  • Heers-McArdle participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

Linda Hoekman

  • Hoekman has not responded to MPR News as of Oct. 25.

  • Hoekman participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

District 2

Marci Anderson currently serves as the seat holder and is not running for reelection.

Zach Arco

  • Arco has not responded to MPR News as of Oct. 25.

  • Arco participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

Susan Witt

  • “I am running for school board because as a retired teacher I highly value public education,” Witt told MPR News. “Having been in the classroom for over 30 years, served on my any different boards, including an HOA managing a budget, served in several leadership positions, I feel I have the experience, skills, and passion to work hard and serve our school district.”

  • “I believe the erosion of trust between the community, parents, the district, and teachers and staff is the biggest hurdle we face,” Witt told MPR News. “This can start by creating more transparency, more opportunities for civil and productive dialogue, and being on the ground in our schools to gain a deeper understanding of the true needs of our staff and students.”

  • Witt participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

District 5

Nicole Hayes currently serves as the seat holder and is not running for reelection.

Michelle Langenfeld

  • “This is a critical time that requires leaders who understand the urgency to ensure all children receive a high-quality public education,” Langenfeld told MPR News. “As a wife, mom, and grandmother of children in the district and educational leader with 30 years’ experience from the classroom to superintendent (including 15 years leading in Anoka-Hennepin), I care deeply about the success of every student and the future of our schools.”

  • “The gaps for students who struggled academically pre-pandemic have grown, particularly in literacy,” Langenfeld said. “Schools are reporting increased numbers of students exhibiting non-academic barriers to academic success including mental health and wellness concerns, anxiety, depression, lack of motivation and dysregulation.”

  • Langenfeld participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

Scott Simmons 

  • Simmons declined a request for an email interview from MPR News.

  • Simmons participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

Cyrus Wilson

  • Wilson has not responded to MPR News as of Oct. 25.

  • Wilson participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 15.

Watch: League of Women Voters forum