My Story
My Story
Embedded Files
Ten years ago, my wife and I chose South Washington County for many reasons, but access to high-quality schools was at the top of our list. This area offers many excellent public, charter, and private school options. In the end, we chose a District 833 magnet program for our children. Today, they are thriving at Nuevas Fronteras Spanish Immersion School in St. Paul Park.
In 2018, after a successful 19-year career in manufacturing, I pursued my long-held dream of becoming a special education teacher. I began as a paraprofessional at East Ridge High School, earned my master’s degree and teaching license, and later served as a center-based special education teacher for three years. These experiences have shown me the vital importance of strong school staff, supportive resources, and—most of all—the transformative relationships we build with students.
Now in my eighth year in public education, I serve the students and families of St. Paul Central High School, one of Minnesota’s most diverse and historic schools. This spring, I look forward to completing my doctoral degree in K–12 Leadership. My work at Central has been deeply rewarding, sharpening my ability to develop practical strategies that address systemic barriers to achievement, strengthen family engagement, and ensure equitable opportunities for every learner. I am ready to bring these experiences and insights to the South Washington County School Board.
I am proud to call South Washington County my home, and I would be honored to represent our community as a member of the school board.
My name is Chad Borseth, and I’m running for the District 833 School Board because I believe we can do more to support our children’s needs. My wife and I are grateful that our kids are thriving in our district schools — I want every family in South Washington County to feel the same way.
I’m proud to call myself a public school teacher and love my job. If elected, I would be the only active classroom teacher on our school board. This is important because everyday classroom experiences with students matter, everyday conversations with parents matter, and everyday collaborations with teachers matter. Our district deserves leadership shaped by the everyday realities of students, families, and teachers.
I am committed to a truly nonpartisan school board — one focused only on what is best for our students, staff, and community. On November 4th, vote Chad Borseth for School Board.
My Vision
My Vision
I am running for the District 833 School Board because I believe our children deserve more than the status quo. My wife and I chose South Washington County for its high-quality schools, and we are fortunate to see our kids thriving. I want every parent to feel that same confidence, no matter which school their child attends.
My background combines classroom teaching, union involvement, and doctoral research on education policy. These experiences give me a unique perspective on how school board decisions ripple down to families and classrooms. My focus is simple: keep decisions focused on student learning and life outcomes.
But there are challenges. In the 2023 school board race, more than $60,000 in outside money was spent to support endorsed candidates. That flood of spending didn’t just influence the race — it shaped the very composition of our board. I believe our schools should be guided by the voices of families and educators, not outside special interests. That’s why I will fundraise with complete transparency and hold others to the same standard. You can always verify contributions directly at the SoWashCo Campaign Finance Filings.
I strongly support school choice for families. Our community is fortunate to have excellent public, private, and parochial schools, as well as two local public charters ranked among the top five in Minnesota by U.S. News and World Report. My priority will always be strengthening district schools, but I also want to build stronger relationships with charter and private options, fostering collaboration rather than division and learning from their successes.
Ultimately, my vision is for a school board that is authentic, accountable, and nonpartisan. A board that values attendance, reduces distractions, supports safe learning environments, and ensures that every student feels welcome and engaged. Together, we can make South Washington County schools safe, inclusive, and effective for every learner.
My Priorities
My Priorities
- Sustained Commitment to School Safety.
School safety has become an urgent concern in the wake of the recent tragedy in Minneapolis. No family should worry whether their child will return home safely from school. In 2023, our community approved funding for significant school security upgrades; however, we can’t stop prioritizing school safety. We must strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure school staff are prepared to respond to emergencies. Through my teaching experience, I understand the importance of strong relationships with school SROs and security staff, and how important it is to leverage their knowledge.
School safety has become an urgent concern in the wake of the recent tragedy in Minneapolis. No family should worry whether their child will return home safely from school. In 2023, our community approved funding for significant school security upgrades; however, we can’t stop prioritizing school safety. We must strengthen partnerships with local law enforcement to ensure school staff are prepared to respond to emergencies. Through my teaching experience, I understand the importance of strong relationships with school SROs and security staff, and how important it is to leverage their knowledge.
- Eliminate Barriers, Reignite Engagement, and Address Chronic Absenteeism
A thriving school district depends on students being present and engaged in the classroom. Yet our attendance data tells a troubling story. In the 2022–23 school year, chronic absenteeism rates were 20% at East Ridge High School, 27.4% at Woodbury High School, and 36.1% at Park High School. District-wide, the rate was an alarming 25.5% (Minnesota Department of Education, n.d.).
A thriving school district depends on students being present and engaged in the classroom. Yet our attendance data tells a troubling story. In the 2022–23 school year, chronic absenteeism rates were 20% at East Ridge High School, 27.4% at Woodbury High School, and 36.1% at Park High School. District-wide, the rate was an alarming 25.5% (Minnesota Department of Education, n.d.).
This problem is not new—it has persisted across several school board election cycles. These numbers are unacceptable. We must act with urgency to improve attendance and ensure that students are in school, learning every day.
This problem is not new—it has persisted across several school board election cycles. These numbers are unacceptable. We must act with urgency to improve attendance and ensure that students are in school, learning every day.
Research shows that chronically absent students—missing 10% or more of the school year—are far less likely to read at grade level by third grade, graduate from high school on time, or be prepared for college and career. According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronic absenteeism is one of the strongest early warning signs of academic struggle and dropping out. Consistent attendance is directly tied to higher achievement, stronger school engagement, and long-term student success.
Research shows that chronically absent students—missing 10% or more of the school year—are far less likely to read at grade level by third grade, graduate from high school on time, or be prepared for college and career. According to the U.S. Department of Education, chronic absenteeism is one of the strongest early warning signs of academic struggle and dropping out. Consistent attendance is directly tied to higher achievement, stronger school engagement, and long-term student success.
As a board member, I will advocate for deeper analysis of building-level attendance data, targeted interventions, and consistent expectations across the district. By addressing the root causes of student disengagement, we can re-establish strong routines, re-engage learners, and ensure that every school provides equitable conditions for success.
As a board member, I will advocate for deeper analysis of building-level attendance data, targeted interventions, and consistent expectations across the district. By addressing the root causes of student disengagement, we can re-establish strong routines, re-engage learners, and ensure that every school provides equitable conditions for success.
- Strengthen Smartphone and Technology Policies.
Our current hybrid phone policy is failing, leaving teachers and staff in the difficult position of policing student phone use during the school day. Valuable learning time is lost to managing distractions instead of focusing on instruction. We need to support educators with a clear, consistent, and enforceable policy.
Our current hybrid phone policy is failing, leaving teachers and staff in the difficult position of policing student phone use during the school day. Valuable learning time is lost to managing distractions instead of focusing on instruction. We need to support educators with a clear, consistent, and enforceable policy.
Our district has already made significant investments in technology that surpass what smartphones provide for learning. Research increasingly shows that outright bans on student phone use during school hours improve focus, engagement, and academic outcomes. To be clear: I will advocate for a full ban on smartphones during the school day.
Our district has already made significant investments in technology that surpass what smartphones provide for learning. Research increasingly shows that outright bans on student phone use during school hours improve focus, engagement, and academic outcomes. To be clear: I will advocate for a full ban on smartphones during the school day.
- A New Vision for Equity and Inclusion.
OurThe debate around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become polarized. Some defend the status quo, while others want to eliminate DEI entirely. Both approaches miss the real purpose: ensuring every student has the resources and support to succeed.
OurThe debate around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become polarized. Some defend the status quo, while others want to eliminate DEI entirely. Both approaches miss the real purpose: ensuring every student has the resources and support to succeed.
Equity must be more than symbolic gestures based on compliance — it requires practical strategies that address both identity and the economic realities families face, such as poverty, housing, transportation, and healthcare. A simple test should guide us: can our current approach be improved? With nearly one in four students chronically absent, the answer we can do more.
Reimagining DEI means:
Engage multiple resources and viewpoints to develop approaches that are workable in practice, inclusive by design, and grounded in community input.
Focusing on measurable outcomes like reducing absenteeism and closing achievement gaps.
Maintaining transparency with clear benchmarks and open reporting.
This approach doesn’t discard equity — it strengthens it by connecting the work to real outcomes that make schools safer, more welcoming, and more effective for all learners.
- Align School Board Races with General Elections for Higher Turnout and Lower Costs.
South Washington County School District remains one of the few in Minnesota holding school board elections in odd-numbered years. This off-cycle timing severely suppresses voter turnout—national studies show turnout in off-cycle local elections can be up to half that of on-cycle elections held alongside major contests.
South Washington County School District remains one of the few in Minnesota holding school board elections in odd-numbered years. This off-cycle timing severely suppresses voter turnout—national studies show turnout in off-cycle local elections can be up to half that of on-cycle elections held alongside major contests.
In contrast, the vast majority of Minnesota districts have shifted to on-cycle elections during even-numbered years, aligning with general elections to boost participation and reduce administrative costs. By moving our elections on-cycle, we can increase community engagement and ensure our school board truly reflects the broader community—not just a narrow slice of voters or influential special interest groups.
In contrast, the vast majority of Minnesota districts have shifted to on-cycle elections during even-numbered years, aligning with general elections to boost participation and reduce administrative costs. By moving our elections on-cycle, we can increase community engagement and ensure our school board truly reflects the broader community—not just a narrow slice of voters or influential special interest groups.
Financially, the cost for our district to maintain off-cycle elections is striking. For example, in Edina, conducting off-cycle elections cost taxpayers upwards of $150,000, whereas on-cycle elections (even years) are much less because they happen alongside regular elections (Albertson-Grove, 2023). More recently, the Wayzata school board voted to move to on-cycle elections starting in 2028 (Wayzata Public Schools Board, 2025), and is estimated to save roughly $100,000 per election by making this change.
Financially, the cost for our district to maintain off-cycle elections is striking. For example, in Edina, conducting off-cycle elections cost taxpayers upwards of $150,000, whereas on-cycle elections (even years) are much less because they happen alongside regular elections (Albertson-Grove, 2023). More recently, the Wayzata school board voted to move to on-cycle elections starting in 2028 (Wayzata Public Schools Board, 2025), and is estimated to save roughly $100,000 per election by making this change.
As a school board member, I will advocate to align our elections with even-year cycles—joining the more than 90% of Minnesota school districts that have already made the switch. Doing so would strengthen democratic participation, reduce the influence of massive special interest group spending in our school board races, eliminate wasteful spending, and enhance the legitimacy of our governance.
As a school board member, I will advocate to align our elections with even-year cycles—joining the more than 90% of Minnesota school districts that have already made the switch. Doing so would strengthen democratic participation, reduce the influence of massive special interest group spending in our school board races, eliminate wasteful spending, and enhance the legitimacy of our governance.
*A student is considered chronically absent under federal guidelines when they miss 10% or more of the school year for any reason—excused, unexcused, or suspensions.
References
Albertson-Grove, J. (2023, July 4). City of Edina doesn’t want to run school board elections anymore. Star Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.startribune.com/city-of-edina-doesnt-want-to-run-school-board-elections-anymore/600287353
Minnesota Department of Education. (n.d.). Minnesota Report Card. Retrieved August 3, 2025, from https://rc.education.mn.gov/#mySchool/p--3
Wayzata Public Schools Board. (2025, June 23). Minutes of the regular board meeting. BoardBook Premier. Retrieved from https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Minutes/1040?meeting=693989
Education, Work Experience, and Community Involvement
Education, Work Experience, and Community Involvement
Education:
Education:
- Bachelor of Science - University of Minnesota -2004
- Master of Arts - Special Education - Bethel University - 2022
- Doctoral Student - K-12 Leadership - Bethel University 2022 - Present
Work Experience
Work Experience
- Supervisor/Technical Services - Heat & Glo Fireplaces - 1999-2005
- Design Engineer - Heat & Glo Fireplaces - 2005-2018
- Paraprofessional - East Ridge High School - 2018-2020
- Special Education Teacher - East Ridge High School - 2022-2023
- Special Education Teacher - Central High School, St. Paul, MN - 2023 - Present
School Activities & Leadership:
School Activities & Leadership:
- Union Member - Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE28) - 2023-Present
- State RC (Representative Convention) Delegate - Saint Paul Federation of Educators (SPFE28) – 2024, 2025
- Assistant Track Coach - St. Paul Central High School - 2023-2024
- Assistant Coach, Track & Field - East Ridge High School - 2020-2023
- Union Member - United Teachers of South Washington County (UTSWC) - 2020-2023
- Student Council Advisor - East Ridge High School - 2021-2023
- Homecoming /Prom Advisor - East Ridge High School - 2021-2023
- Assistant JV Coach, Golf - East Ridge High School - 2019-2020
Community Involvement
Community Involvement
- Boys Assistant Soccer Coach/Volunteer - Salvo Soccer - 2020-2022
- Girls Assistant Soccer Coach/Volunteer - Salvo Soccer - 2020-2022
- Boys Assistant Tee-ball Coach/Volunteer - Woodbury Athletic Association - 2020-2023
Voting Information
Voting Information
Three Ways to Vote:
Three Ways to Vote:
- In-Person Early Voting
- Cottage Grove Service Center, Cottage Grove, MN
- R.H. Stafford Library, Woodbury, MN
- 833 School District voters can vote at any of the above locations during the 46-day absentee voting period. Both locations will also have direct balloting. Due to new voting changes, voters now have 18 days (versus seven days) to vote early.
Nonpartisan Pledge
Nonpartisan Pledge
I pledge to serve with a steadfast commitment to the founding purpose of local school boards: to represent all students and families without special interest influence.
Our school board must remain focused on what unites us, providing the best education and opportunities for every student, not on serving as a haven for political agendas.
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