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Stillwater School District is already a great district to send your children to. We have fantastic families, teachers, school staff, district employees and students. I should know, I have 4 of those wonderful students: 1 in Stillwater Middle and 3 in Stonebridge Elementary. My husband and I have enjoyed every family or staff member we have met along the way. It is a community of amazing people that we have been proud to be a part of. I would be honored to continue to create an amazing environment for our children, focusing on our students and what they need by serving as one of your school board members.
Well Jill, do you have any skills or qualifications?
Well Jill, do you have any skills or qualifications?
Yes and No. I am not going to lie and say I have ever been on a school board or worked in government. I have, however, worked in multiple positions that I feel gave me the skills necessary that will transition well. My background is mainly in the food industry: serving, event catering, event coordinating, printing, insurance secretary, and home health aide.
All these positions taught me different things that I still build on today. I was a stay-at home mom for 4 years, or as I like to say, I was the manager of our estate. I handled the day to day, anticipated needs and had to make sure I saw the whole picture of what was going to happen, similar to my previous jobs needs. During this time at home with my kiddos, I became a PTA board member. In this position, I learned about the school systems, I met many parents and staff and I learned all of the organizations rules and was very involved. If you attended any of Stonebridge Fun Fair's--those were my babies.
Within the last few years, I have also made time for volunteering within the community. I have been involved in mass plantings or removing invasive species with Browns Creek Watershed district, Great River Greening and Stonebridge School Forest. I am a college graduate and majored in child psychology. Although, I did not pursue the career I originially thought I would, the degree I majored in has been amazing in helping me work with and understand the development in children, my own and others I have met along the way. I am currently an event coordinator for a Minneapolis brewery, I get to organize events and enjoy beverages. One lucky gal.
WHY do you want to become a school board member?
WHY do you want to become a school board member?
Our district is highly rated in the state of MN. I, personally, think it's great and has been an amazing place to live and watch my kiddos grow, but I see room for improvement. I see a district and community that have some contention. There have been changes, which have been hard on families, staff and students. Although these changes themselves are not bad, I think we need to further expand our thinking to make sure we are getting the full picture, taking all viewpoints into account and using this to create the best path forward. I was in my kitchen talking to myself one day, saying "Why? And who will help with this?" Finally deciding that perhaps it is I, who needs to be that person.
What is the plan, Stan?
What is the plan, Stan?
The plan is to be available to the community, the schools and the district. I will be available to listen and meet with constituents and staff. I will be the person who takes back all the information and concerns, then use it to help our superindendent further our school districts.
What do I think needs to be done?
What do I think needs to be done?
Great question. As a constituent myself, I do have a lot of thoughts on what needs to be done --BUT--as an elected official, it isn't all about me. I understand that my duty is to the community. How I feel and think matters, but it is the collective that matters more. I think the students are the priority. Let me say that again, the students are the priority. Their reading, writing, and math skills are important, but so is being well rounded and having the opportunity to do other things that enhance their creativity.
Having different skill sets is not only ok, it is actually an asset to their community. Their physical, mental and emotional health are important. The people who care for them are important. Their environment is important. The school board, in my opinion, is supposed to take all the things that are important to the community and bring those to the district so policies can be implemented that benefit the students and their education. We need to re-focus on what is important.
Who am I?
Who am I?
A Minnesota grown gal who is married to an amazing man named Tom. We were blessed with 4 beautiful, creative, kind and intelligent children.
A lover of dogs (all animals, actually) and the great outdoors. I love my garden and learning about new things--especially plants.
I was an event coordinator for Town Hall Brewery before covid, ended that employment because of social distancing and being pregnant with twins. I was sad to go but am proud to be taking that position back starting this August.
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prepared and paid for by Jillien Haroldson
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