Election 2011: Meet Melissa Peterson Malen, District 197 School Board Candidate

Editor's Note: Each candidate for the District 197 School Board submitted their answers to the following questionnaire. The candidates had 125 words or less to respond to identical prompts. Their responses will be printed in their entirety one a day for the next seven business days, in alphabetical order. Those answers that exceeded the word count will be edited for length.

The Basics

Name: Melissa Peterson Malen  

City: West St. Paul  

Education: B.A. Psychology, M.A. Counseling Psychology, Earned Doctorate Organizational Leadership, Policy and Development  

Where do you work? Researcher at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs part-time, Principal Consultant at AxyLu Educational Consulting part-time, Chair of the Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation part-time volunteer. 

Questions for District 197 School Board candidates:  

Patch: Why are you qualified to sit on the District 197 School Board?

Melissa Peterson Malen: I have 20+ years experience advocating for students in the roles of counselor, educator, parent coach, non-profit board leader, volunteer and parent.  

Patch: Where do you stand on passage of the operating referendum that will be on the ballot?

Malen: Vote YES to continue funding award-winning schools in ISD 197!  

Patch: What is the most important step the district must take to address financial pressures?

Malen: The district can alleviate financial pressures by developing a broader portfolio of educational offerings that will attract students necessary to fill vacant enrollment spaces.  

Patch: Aside from the budget, what is the most important issue facing the school district?

Malen: The most important issue facing ISD 197 today is to hire a superintendent who's leadership style will support, sustain and retain the depth of talent that exists in the ISD 197 staff. In addition, the superintendent hired will need to have experience building education and business partnerships that contribute revenue to ISD 197.  

Patch: What area of education are you particularly passionate about?

Malen: I am most passionate about sustaining the academic excellence that ISD 197 demonstrates today. An innovative and award-winning district, ISD 197 offers a range of programs and services to public and non-public students while effectively individualizing education for all students, resulting in high levels of student achievement.