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Election 2023
Carly Berglund

South Washington County ISD 833: School board election 2023

East Ridge High School
East Ridge is a high school in the South Washington County School District, in the east metro.
Photo courtesy South Washington County School District

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This district serves the cities of Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, Woodbury and townships in southern Washington County.

Three board members will be elected from the 11 candidates in this race. Current board member Louise Hinz is not running for reelection.

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.

Fekadu Kassa Ayichew

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

Chad Borseth

  • “I bring diverse experiences that combine a long career as an engineer and current career as a special education teacher,” Borseth told MPR.

  • “Too many opposing special interest groups seeking to influence our local school board,” Borseth told MPR News when asked to share the most critical issue the faces.

  • Borseth participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 19.

Ryan Clarke

Priscilla Kathryn Dimbo

Melinda Dols (current board member)

  • Dols has served on the South Washington County School Board for four years. A South Washington County graduate, Dols continues to be involved in the district as her children attend these schools.

  • “My priorities as a school board member encompass academic excellence, mental health and special education support, equity and inclusion, and fiscal responsibility, but I believe that the most critical issue that our district is currently facing is our tremendous growth,” Dols told MPR News.

  • Dols participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 19.

Randall J. Johnson

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

Jaime Kokaisel

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

  • “I am a strong advocate for parents, and I believe we are never done learning, no matter the age. My two children attended SoWashCo Public Schools for ten years prior to 2021, so I have experience with the high standards that once defined it,” Kokaisel told League of Women Voters.

  • “My top three priorities remain academic excellence, building safety and parental engagement. I will advocate for board policy governance that funds and provides resources to academics first,” Kokaisel told League of Women Voters.

  • Kokaisel participated in the League of Women Voters forum Sept. 19.

Anthony Mahmood

Satonia Moore

  • “I have more than 25 years of experience serving in the South Washington County School District and Minneapolis School District in multiple educational positions, including administrative paraprofessional, family parent liaison and media specialist,” Moore told MPR News. “I joined Northeast Metro 916 as the Family Engagement Supervisor in early 2022.”

  • “The number one issue facing the district is making sure we pass the referendum and fund the bonds and the technology levy,” Moore told MPR News. “Passing these measures will help lead to the outcomes we seek: better building security, more classroom space, better cyber security and improved technology for students, teachers, and staff.”

  • Moore participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 19.

Simi Patnaik (current board member)

  • “I’m running for re-election because I am passionate about public education as a force for good in our world and because I believe I can make a positive impact for the students of South Washington County,” Patnaik told MPR News. Patnaik has served on the board since 2019, is the current vice chair and serves on several committees.

  • “Our school board’s top priority is financial management and the budget. All other issues stem from here,” Patnaik told MPR News. “By keeping an eye on the budget and how we are spending our money, we can ensure we are focused on our long-term strategic priorities, and not doing the district equivalent of living paycheck to paycheck.”

  • Patnaik participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 19.

Molly Schaefer

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

  • With a doctorate in Educational Leadership and a master’s degree in Multicultural Teaching and Learning, Schaefer has over 10 years of educational experience. Her four children attend or will attend district schools, she told League of Women Voters.

  • Schaefer’s top priorities include creating a safe environment for students and teachers, balancing the budget and building strong relationships within the community, she told League of Women Voters.

  • Schaefer participated in the League of Women Voters forum on Sept. 19.

Watch: League of Women Voters forum