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.
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.
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.
*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
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.