A Focused Leader: Veteran and Lakeville Grad Running for School Board

I'm Zach Bohlman, a Lakeville High School graduate and longtime resident. Our district needs strong leadership to perform at the highest level possible. Having children in the school system provides some candidates with a certain perspective. However, I am a product of these schools. I walked the same halls students do today. I sat in the same desks. Now, I am ready to be part of district leadership to help Lakeville Area Schools grow, improve, and meet the needs of our growing city.

I decided to run for school board when I was finishing my master's capstone during which I conducted more than 40 hours of interviews with educators across the country several of which were here in Lakeville. The message I heard loud and clear was: "we are tired, underpaid, and under-appreciated." My message to Lakeville teachers is I HEARD YOU! Contract negotiations will begin soon and I will do my best to ensure conversations are productive, collaborative, and that teachers are shown the respect they deserve.

In my military career I have learned that the task at hand isn't always easy. Teamwork is what our community needs to thrive. I am collaborative first and foremost. Within the first year there will be four new board members faced with negotiating a new contract with teachers and hiring a new superintendent. I am excited to work as a team to tackle these challenges. We need people on the board who are willing to listen, consider all points of view, and be decisive.

I am running for school board to set a positive example for the current generation of students. We need to turn down the temperature in elections and that begins at the local level. I am ready to bring respectability and civility back to governance. If I am elected, I will work tirelessly to support all Lakeville students and district staff.

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Goals

Building Trust with the Community and Staff

The next board faces several challenges in its first year. The board will need to appoint a 7th member, negotiate a new contract with EML, and replace the superintendent. It's going to be a difficult year and we need board members who are up to the task.

We need team players who can collaborate and work together productively. I will work to bridge the divide between the board and district staff and insist that we work together towards the common goal of making Lakeville Area Schools the best they can possibly be. When cooler heads prevail we can achieve greatness.

Adequate Funding for Our District

Lakeville's population was the fastest growing suburb in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area from 2020-2023. Our district funding has already been lagging far behind what it needs to be to support our students.

A new operating levy will be on the ballot this year and it is vital to the success of our schools. I understand no one likes higher taxes which is why I will work hard to ensure voters understand the reasoning behind this and any future levies so you can make informed decisions at the ballot box.

Beware of candidates with empty promises of "supporting teachers." Trust my record. Ask around about me and my graduate coursework that focused on K-12 educators.

My capstone project lit a fire under me. After my work was done and turned in, I felt called to get involved and do something about the way Lakeville's teachers have been treated. I turned a master's capstone into an advocacy project. I am serious about fighting for Lakeville's teachers.

Your voices will be heard loud and clear. You have my word on that.

Values

A Collaborative, Inquisitive, and Decisive Attitude

Transparency in Governance

I believe that any governing body owes a duty of transparency to its constituents. I will ensure nothing is withheld from the public and district staff unless required by law. I will ensure all board decisions are clearly explained and if staff or the public have questions, they will be answered.

Further, I will push for public comment to be recorded as part of the regular meeting and included in video broadcasts.

Last, I will work feverishly for fiscal efficiency and transparency. I am not afraid to ask tough questions and ensure all board decisions are conducted with ethics and integrity first and foremost.

Supporting Lakeville Teachers

My time in the military has taught me how to work as part of a team towards a common goal. In the armed forces, people from all different walks of life, cultures, and ideologies come together to get the job done.

My leadership style is to ask questions first. I am not afraid to say "I don't know" and get more information before making a decision. I will ensure the board works collaboratively free of outside influence.

The board will undoubtedly be forced to make decisions that make some folks unhappy. However, a win to me is a decision that is well thought out and tries to give everyone at the table something to celebrate.

Let's stop trying to weaponize governance especially when the next generation is involved. Let's demonstrate what it means to work together constructively and compromise for a greater end.

Lakeville's population is the fastest growing in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. A great school system is one of the first things people look or when buying a home. We need to be responsible with the resources available to us and explain to voters why additional funds are needed. Inflation has increased costs everywhere and schools feel that increase as well. We need to think of creative solutions to bring costs down.