With a new election season in full swing, many changes are on the horizon. Candidates are running for many offices this season, including the KW School Board. The Messenger recently was able to hear from each of the four candidates running for a seat on the KW School Board. Here is what each member had to say about some of their hopes and goals for the future of the KW School District.
The Messenger: How have you been involved with the KW Schools, and what made you decide to run for the school board?
James Jarvis: I am running for a third term after serving eight years on the Kenyon-Wanamingo School Board. During that time, we have had to make painful decisions in response to declining enrollment, including closing the Wanamingo elementary school and reducing teaching, maintenance, and administrative positions. These decisions have not been easy, but my focus remains on putting the district on solid financial footing while minimizing the impact on our outstanding students.
L.J (Jeff) Gearhart: My wife and I have two children enrolled in Kenyon - Wanamingo Public Schools. Our family’s connection to the district began four years ago with Knight Kids at the former Wanamingo Elementary School, and we have been invested in the schools ever since. As a parent, I want to help ensure that every student has access to a strong education, caring educators, and opportunities that prepare them for the future. Kenyon -Wanamingo was built by two communities coming together, and I believe its future depends on continuing to make decisions that respect and serve both Kenyon and Wanamingo. I am running for the school board because I want to bring that experience - and my perspective as a parent - to the district. My goal is to support students and staff, strengthen communication with families and the community, and help Kenyon-Wanamingo remain a school system in which both communities can take pride.
Stephanie Brezina: I am a mom of three wonderful boys, Jace, Lucas, and Finnley, and the Kenyon-Wanamingo School District has been an important part of our family’s lives. My oldest son, Lucas, graduated with the Class of 2022. My son Jace is currently a freshman and is involved in football, wrestling, baseball, and track and field. My youngest son, Finnley, is entering fourth grade and is also involved in sports. My passion for working with and advocating for young people started well before my childcare career. I graduated with a degree in Law Enforcement in 2011, and I always knew that my main focus would be working with juveniles. That path eventually led me to where I am today. For the past 16 years, I have operated a childcare business in Kenyon, where I have had the privilege of caring for more than 100 children from our community. Those experiences have given me a unique perspective on children, families, safety, development, and the importance of creating an environment where kids feel supported and have the opportunity to succeed. I decided to run for school board because I want to be part of something bigger than myself. I see this as an opportunity to try something new, give back to the community that has given so much to my family, and use the experience I have gained through law enforcement, childcare, and raising my own children to make a positive impact on our schools and community.
Tim LaCanne: I am a graduate of Kenyon High School, and both of my sons have attended KW schools. I’m running in an effort to help maintain the many excellent qualities our school system already demonstrates, and hopefully come up with ways to improve it as well.
The Messenger: What do you appreciate about the KW Schools system?
Jarvis: I appreciate the outstanding students, dedicated teachers and staff, and supportive families and community members who make Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools special. Their commitment, resilience, and school pride motivate me to continue serving the district and working toward a strong and sustainable future.
Gearhart: What I appreciate most about Kenyon - Wanamingo Schools is the strong sense of community. Our children began their experience with Knight Kids at the former Wanamingo Elementary School, and from the beginning, our family felt welcomed and supported by caring educators and staff. KW offers the personal connections of a smaller school district, where students are known as individuals and families can build meaningful relationships with teachers and staff. I also value the opportunities students receive through academics, athletics, activities, and community programs.
Brezina: One of the things I appreciate most about KW Schools is the sense of community. Our schools are an important part of what makes Kenyon-Wanamingo a great place to raise a family. I appreciate the opportunities our students have to participate not only in academics, but also in athletics, activities, and other programs that help them develop confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership. I also appreciate the teachers, staff, coaches, and administrators who invest so much time and energy into our children. Having spent 16 years caring for children myself, I understand how much patience, dedication, and commitment it takes to work with kids every day.
LaCanne: I very much appreciate the hard work and dedication of everyone I’ve ever interacted with at KW. Without exception, everyone at KW seems to put the best interests of the students at the forefront of their efforts, which is admirable.
The Messenger: What are the top three issues you wish to address should you become a member of the board?
Jarvis: My top priorities are getting the district out of debt, rebuilding our general fund balance to a healthy level above 10%, and stabilizing and ultimately increasing student enrollment. Achieving these goals will require difficult decisions, new ideas, and continued cooperation among the board, staff, families, and community. I also want to continue looking for every opportunity to improve our schools without losing sight of what matters most: our students.
Gearhart: 1) Student success and educational opportunity. Every decision should begin with what best supports our students. I want to protect strong academics while ensuring students have access to career and technical education, arts, athletics, activities, and the skills they will need after graduation. Supporting and retaining quality teachers and staff must also remain central to that work.
2) Financial stability and responsible long-term planning. Declining enrollment has already required the district to make difficult decisions, including closing the Wanamingo elementary site. The board must be transparent about the district’s financial position, carefully evaluate spending, and plan beyond the next budget cycle. My focus would be protecting classroom resources while ensuring the district remains financially sustainable for future generations.
3) Communication, trust, and community unity. Kenyon-Wanamingo was formed by bringing two school districts and communities together. Families and residents in both Kenyon and Wanamingo deserve to feel heard, informed, and represented. I would work to improve communication, encourage meaningful public input, and clearly explain the facts and reasoning behind major board decisions - even when those decisions are difficult.
Brezina: 1) Student success and educational opportunities.
I want to make sure every student has the opportunity and support they need to succeed, regardless of their interests, abilities, or future goals. That includes strong academics as well as opportunities in athletics, activities, trades, technology, and other areas.
2) Communication and community involvement.
I believe good communication between the school, parents, students, staff, and community is extremely important. I want to help make sure parents and community members feel heard and understand how and why important decisions are being made.
3) Responsible use of resources.
I believe the district has a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars while continuing to provide students with a quality education. I would work to understand the financial decisions being made, ask questions, and look for ways to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of our students and staff.
LaCanne: 1) Finances. I don’t think it is a secret that KW has struggled a bit with funding issues in the past, progress has been made, but I think the primary goal of everyone involved should be to get the district into the most stable financial position possible.
2) Excellence. Ensuring that the KW district doesn’t provide an average educational experience for its students, but provides an exceptional experience.
3) Growth. KW schools have a lot to offer families and students – we should look at new ways of making KW even more appealing to families when they are deciding where to send their kids for education.
The Messenger: What should the KW community know about you?
Jarvis: I live in Wanamingo and have three children attending school in the KW district, so the success of our schools is very important to me. Although closing the Wanamingo school was an extremely difficult decision, I care deeply about both Kenyon and Wanamingo and believe we are one united district. I am proud of KW, and I want people to know that our schools continue to thrive and accomplish great things for our students.I am hardworking, caring, and committed to doing what is best for our students and the district. I take my responsibilities seriously, carefully consider the facts, and am willing to make difficult decisions when necessary.
Gearhart: Professionally, my career has spanned business administration, food and hospitality operations, human resources, healthcare, and innovation. I have experience leading teams, managing complex projects, evaluating investments, improving systems, and developing long-term strategies. These experiences have taught me to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, use data responsibly, and consider how every decision affects people, resources, and the future. Most importantly, I am a parent who is personally invested in the future of KW Schools. I care deeply about the education our children - and every child in the district - receive. I want the community to know that I will approach this role with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to making thoughtful decisions that serve students, staff, families, and both of our communities.
Brezina: I am someone who genuinely cares about children and this community. I graduated with a degree in Law Enforcement in 2011, always knowing that I wanted my work to have a focus on juveniles and helping young people. I have since spent the past 16 years making childcare my career and have had the privilege of caring for more than 100 children in our community. I am also a mom who is actively involved in my children's lives. I understand both the parent perspective and the responsibility that comes with making decisions that affect children and families. I am not running because I think I have all the answers. I am running because I am willing to listen, learn, ask questions, have difficult conversations when necessary, and work toward what I believe is best for our students and our community.
LaCanne: Not that athletics are, or should be, the primary goal of a school system, but they are nonetheless important. Anyone that knows me will already know that I would be exceptionally happy if the KW wrestling program won another state team championship.
The Messenger: How long have you been a member of the KW community? What drives you to make a difference in this community by serving on the school board?
Jarvis: I have been part of the KW community since 2014. My wife, children, and the friendships I have made here inspire me to help make our community an even better place. I feel called to serve, and serving on the school board is the best way I know to give back and make a positive difference for our students, families, and both communities.
Gearhart: I have been married to my wife for 10 years, and we are proud parents of two children, ages five and six, who attend Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools. Our family moved from Kentucky to Wanamingo during the winter of 2018–2019, and for the past seven years, we have been proud to call this community home. My family are who first motivated me to become more involved, but my commitment extends to every student and family in the district. My wife and I have made Wanamingo our home, and we want to contribute to the community that has welcomed and supported our family. I am driven by the opportunity to help shape a strong and sustainable future for Kenyon-Wanamingo Schools. The decisions made today will affect educational opportunities, district finances, and the relationship between our two communities for years to come. I want to bring a parent’s perspective, my professional experience, and a willingness to listen and work collaboratively. Serving on the school board would be my opportunity to give back, support our students and staff, and help ensure KW remains a school system our entire community can be proud of.
Brezina: I have been part of the Kenyon community for many years, and I have been caring for children in Kenyon for the past 16 years. During that time, I have built relationships with many families and have had the opportunity to watch children in our community grow and move through the school system. My background has always centered around young people. When I graduated with my Law Enforcement degree in 2011, I knew I wanted my focus to be on juveniles. That passion continued through my years of childcare and through raising my own three boys. What drives me now is the opportunity to take everything I have learned—from law enforcement, childcare, parenting, and being a member of this community—and use it to help make a difference for our schools and our students. I have spent much of my life caring for individual children. I see serving on the school board as an opportunity to take that same commitment to caring for children and use it to help make a difference for our entire school community.
LaCanne: My parents bought our family farm west of Kenyon when I was 5 years old. Other than attending college in St. Cloud, I have always resided in Kenyon, so I’ve basically been a member of the KW community all my life. My main motivation for serving on the board is to help ensure the school remains viable and offers the best educational experience for all students involved.
The Messenger: What do you see as the roles and responsibilities of the school board? How do you plan to address those responsibilities?
Jarvis: The school board’s role is to review district policies, provide oversight, and ensure that we are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I plan to carefully evaluate how the district spends its money, ask thoughtful questions, and support decisions that strengthen our financial position without compromising our students’ ability to learn. My goal is to balance fiscal responsibility with providing every student a high-quality education.
Gearhart: The school board’s primary responsibility is governance. It establishes the district’s vision and policies, approves the budget, sets measurable goals, and monitors the district’s academic and financial performance. The board must also ensure that the district follows applicable laws and uses public resources responsibly. I would address these responsibilities by coming prepared, reviewing information carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and considering both data and community input before making decisions. I would pursue the training required of Minnesota board members, respect the appropriate chain of command, and work collaboratively with other board members and district leadership. Even when opinions differ, I would conduct myself respectfully and support clear communication about the board’s decisions and the reasoning behind them. Above all, I would remain accountable to the entire district - not one group or one community - and keep the long-term interests of KW students at the center of every decision.
Brezina: I believe the school board's primary responsibility is to provide leadership and oversight for the district while keeping students at the center of its decisions. The board needs to establish responsible policies, provide appropriate oversight of district finances, support the superintendent and staff, and make decisions that serve the long-term interests of students and the community. I would approach the position by listening first. I believe board members need to hear from students, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members. I would come prepared, ask questions, look at the information and facts, and make decisions based on what is best for the district rather than any one individual or group. I also believe it is important for board members to work together respectfully, even when there are disagreements. Good governance requires being willing to listen to different perspectives and work toward solutions.
LaCanne: As mentioned above, the primary role of the school board should be to assist the school administrators in providing the best possible educational experience for all of KW’s students, while also practicing fiscal responsibility to the greatest extent possible.
The Messenger: Anything else you want the KW Community to know?
Jarvis: I look forward to continuing my service on the school board. Although difficult work remains, I believe KW is headed in the right direction. I am confident that we can build a stronger and more sustainable future for our students, staff, families, and communities.
Gearhart: Kenyon - Wanamingo Schools have a proud history shaped by generations of students, educators, families, and community members. My own family became part of that history when our children began their education at the former Wanamingo Elementary School. Preserving the past means honoring the people, traditions, and experiences that built KW. Our history provides a foundation for making thoughtful decisions about the district’s future. I want to help KW by learning from the past, listening to both communities, and planning responsibly for the students who will follow – continue building a future for our children in which both Kenyon and Wanamingo can take pride.
Brezina: I am excited about the possibility of serving the Kenyon-Wanamingo community in a new way. I have spent 16 years caring for children, raising my three boys, being involved in their school and activities, and building relationships with families throughout our community. I feel this is the right time to take what I have learned and give back in a different capacity. My education in law enforcement, my focus on juveniles, my 16 years in childcare, and my experience as a mother have all shaped how I view the needs of children and families. I am a regular mom who cares deeply about our kids and our community. I want our students to feel supported, our parents to feel heard, our staff to feel valued, and our community to feel proud of our schools. I am willing to listen, willing to learn, and willing to put in the work. Most importantly, I want to help make decisions that give the next generation of Kenyon-Wanamingo students the best opportunities possible.
