Meet the GSL School Board Candidates

Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in Glencoe and have been in the district for 18 years.  I have had 4 children attend GSL.  The last one is currently in 8th grade.

What is your occupation or professional background? 

I am the COO for Custom Pools Inc.  I also have had an extensive15 year career in Safety and Security, working as the Director of Security for the Kansas City Chiefs, Target Center, and U.S. Bank Stadium.

Why are you running for the GSL School Board?

I’m running because I care about the future of GSL and the community we call home. As a father of four, with all my children attending GSL, I have a personal investment in our schools.  My priorities are creating a safe and secure environment, supporting strong academics, providing opportunities for every student, and promoting financial responsibility and accountability.  I want to bring my experience in leadership, operations, safety, and security to the board while listening to our families, staff, students, and community.

What qualities, skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the school board if elected?  

I would bring a strong combination of leadership, operational experience, financial responsibility, and a background in safety and security to the school board. My professional experience has taught me the importance of accountability, responsible budgeting, problem-solving, and making thoughtful decisions that consider both immediate needs and long-term impacts.

As a father of four, with all of my children attending GSL, I also bring the perspective of a parent who is personally invested in our schools. I believe in listening to our students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members before making decisions.

Most importantly, I would bring an open mind, a willingness to ask difficult questions, and a commitment to helping provide a safe and secure environment, strong educational opportunities, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?

I believe one of the most important issues facing education today is balancing student achievement with the growing number of challenges schools are being asked to address. Schools need to provide strong academics while also maintaining safe and secure learning environments, supporting teachers and staff, and managing limited financial resources responsibly. 

We need to stay focused on the fundamental purpose of our schools: preparing students for life after graduation, whether that means college, the trades, military service, or entering the workforce. Every student’s path may look different, and our schools should provide the education, skills, and opportunities they need to succeed.

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the GSL School District?

I believe one of the biggest challenges currently facing GSL is maintaining strong educational opportunities while being financially responsible in a time of declining enrollment, increasing costs, and growing student needs.

We need to carefully evaluate where our dollars are going and make responsible, long-term decisions that protect the classroom experience. That means supporting our teachers and staff, maintaining safe and secure schools, and continuing to provide academics, activities, trades, technology, and other opportunities that prepare our students for their futures.

As a school board member, I would want to ask questions, understand the numbers, listen to our staff and community, and make sure we are getting the greatest possible value from the resources entrusted to the district. Financial responsibility and providing a quality education have to work together.                                                                                                                                                                                

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities you believe GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what would you hope to accomplish during your time on the board?

Looking ahead over the next four years, I believe GSL should focus on three key priorities: student safety and security, strong educational opportunities, and long-term financial responsibility.

First, safety and security. Students and staff deserve an environment where they feel safe, supported, and able to focus on learning. I would like to see GSL continually evaluate our facilities, procedures, training, technology, and partnerships to ensure we are taking a proactive approach to school safety. A safe and positive learning environment is also one of GSL’s stated core values.

Second, academics and opportunities for every student. We need to continue improving student achievement while recognizing that success after high school looks different for every student. I want GSL to provide strong academics while expanding opportunities in career and technical education, trades, technology, college preparation, arts, athletics, and other activities. The district has similarly identified increased student achievement and expanded career pathways among its goals.

Third, financial responsibility and long-term planning. GSL is facing the challenge of declining enrollment while costs and student needs continue to increase. The district reports enrollment declining from 1,564 students in 2014–15 to 1,380 in 2024–25, while the percentage of students receiving special education services increased to 20.4%. I would work to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly, priorities are clearly defined, and decisions are made with both today's students and the district's long-term financial health in mind.

During my time on the board, I would hope to help leave GSL safer, financially stronger, and positioned to provide excellent opportunities for students for years to come.

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Tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Joyce Peterson. I am the proud mother of three married daughters and the grandmother of ten beautiful grandchildren—four of whom are currently thriving as students in the Glencoe-Silver Lake School District. As a resident of Brownton and an active member of Grace Lutheran Church—where I have served on the church council, participated in the women’s group, and sung in the choir—I am deeply invested in the strength and unity of our local communities. 

What is your occupation or professional background?

I dedicated 46 years of my life to public education before retiring in 2021. I earned my teaching license in Health and Physical Education. Recognizing the diverse needs of students, I also earned my Adapted Physical Education license and several coaching licenses.

My career began with five years at the Elgin-Millville District. In 1980, I joined Brownton-McLeod West to teach and coach, and I spent my final eleven years in the classroom with the Glencoe-Silver Lake District after McLeod West consolidated with Glencoe-Silver Lake. Even in retirement, my commitment to GSL remains steadfast; I regularly step up to support our student-athletes by refereeing and line-judging volleyball and keeping the official book for basketball games. 

Why are you running for the school board?

Education is my life's work, and running for the school board is the logical next step in my continued service to our schools. I am running because I want to channel my decades of hands-on experience into a new avenue of leadership. Being on the board is my way of advocating for our students, teaching staff, and district employees. 

Specifically, I want to ensure our budget and student programs are managed strategically and transparently. I will work to encourage an environment where every employee is treated with honesty and respect. Furthermore, I am running to be a distinct, strong voice for the smaller communities within our consolidated district. I will be an accessible leader who encourages residents to share their concerns so that I can directly voice them at our board meetings. 

What qualities, skills, experience, or perspectives would you bring to the school board?

As a veteran educator, I possess a sharp, realistic understanding of both the triumphs and the systemic challenges facing our classrooms. My leadership experience goes beyond teaching: I served as union president and actively participated in contract negotiations across all three districts where I worked. This gave me deep insight into school finance, labor relations, and collaborative problem-solving. 

I bring a reputation for being trustworthy, fair, and strictly confidential. I am confident in vocalizing difficult truths and advocating for what is right. I will assist with fellow board members to make sound, impactful policy and financial decisions. 

Effective educated decisions requires staying connected to the everyday reality of our schools. I am committed to visiting every building in the GSL district to listen to our staff, understand their working environments, and engage directly with the educators and team members working with our children every day.

What do you feel is the most important issue in education today?

The most critical challenge in modern education is supporting the "whole child." Today's youth face unprecedented societal pressures and mental health challenges that can make traditional learning feel like a secondary priority. When students are in our buildings, they must first know they are safe, valued, and cared for. 

While academic excellence is paramount, a true education must guide students to make safe, healthy lifestyle choices. We must work collaboratively with parents to equip students with the tools to navigate peer pressure, resolve conflicts, and treat others with universal kindness and respect. 

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the Glencoe-Silver Lake School District?

Like many districts across Minnesota, GSL's primary challenge is securing and maximizing financial resources. Because state funding is tied directly to student enrollment, our urgent priority must be marketing our district effectively. We need to proudly promote GSL’s exceptional academic and extracurricular opportunities so families choose to keep their children enrolled here. 

Financial scarcity should not automatically default to staff cuts. If faced with a budget shortfall, I will work tirelessly to analyze operations across all areas of the district to protect the integrity of our classrooms and retain our high-quality staff. 

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what do you hope to accomplish?

While I recognize there will be a learning curve as I immerse myself in the board's current data, my immediate strategic priorities are clear: 

1. Enrollment Retention and District Promotion: We must actively highlight the incredible successes and opportunities at GSL to retain local families and attract new ones.

2. Transparent Advocacy and Classroom Engagement: I will bridging the gap between governance and the classroom by maintaining an open-door policy for parents, staff, and community members, ensuring their feedback directly informs our financial choices.

3. Uncompromising Safety Protocols: I will champion the continuous improvement and strict maintenance of our building safety procedures so that every student and staff member feels secure every single day.

Serving on this board will be an evolving learning opportunity, and I promise to bring my full energy, experience, and integrity to keeping Glencoe-Silver Lake a premier place to work, live, and learn.

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Tell us a little about yourself. 

My name is Kevin Kuester and I have lived in the GSL School District for 42 years.  I live on a farm west of Glencoe with my wife Teresa.  We raised our two children Savannah and Ryan who are both alumni of GSL.  I am recently retired and currently enjoy my time off raising beef cattle with my brother, gardening, and harvesting our produce.  I enjoy being a grandfather very much, and spending time with family and friends.

What is your occupation or professional background?

I retired two years ago from Seneca Foods after working there for 40 plus years.  While employed at Seneca I had many job responsibilities but mainly worked as a mechanic and an electrician.

Why are you running for the GSL School Board? 

I have served on the GSL School Board and was currently asked to run again by people in the district.  Now that I am retired, I have more time to devote to being a board member.  I want to see our school programs continue to grow and thrive.  I want to be a part of this process. 

What qualities, skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the school board if elected? 

I will bring an open mind, be an active listener, and collaborate to solve problems.  The need to be fiscally responsible with funds we are allocated will determine the directions we take.  I have had past experience with this.  I will use my knowledge to help our district build on its current strengths while finding additional ways to meet needs of our students, staff, families and our communities.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today? 

The need to provide educational programs for all students even though the federal and state funding may not be as supportive as it has been in the past.  Costs are up on everything, which in turn affects everyone.  We need to work cohesively to provide the education our students need.  We need to ensure safety while offering education that will help students to be successful members of communities across our nation.

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the GSL School District? 

I think we need to address the declining enrollment that we are currently facing.  When our enrollment declines, so does our funding.  There may be a variety of reasons why this is happening.  Taking time to collect the data is an important step to take.  This will give us a clear picture as to reasons for the decline and from there we can create a plan to promote more enrollment.

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities you believe GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what would you hope to accomplish during your time on the board? 

#1 – I will work to increase the student enrollment from PreK-12^th grade.  #2 – I will work to promote a school setting where students, staff, families, and community members can feel valued and heard. I believe in the statement, “It takes a village to raise a child”.  We need to work on communication, inclusion, and partnership with those around us to allow a positive mind set to grow.   #3 - I will work to help all employees of GSL to feel valued and respected.   I want  our staff to be the best staff who will dedicate their best efforts to bring out the best in our students.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my information.

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Tony Paggen, and I was born and raised in Glencoe. I am a 2009 graduate of GSL and am proud to now be raising my family in the same community. I currently have three children attending the GSL School District.  

What is your occupation or professional background?

I have worked in logistics and material control at Goebel Fixtures Co. in Hutchinson for the past nine years. I am also a volunteer firefighter in our community and have served as a Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) official for the past 16 years.  

Why are you running for the GSL School Board?

I am running for the GSL School Board because I was born and raised in this community, and now I have the privilege of raising my own children here. I want to help ensure that our community has a voice in the decisions that affect our schools and our children. I hope to bring a perspective that values community input, collaboration, and the continued success of GSL schools.

What qualities, skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the school board if elected?

I would bring an open mind, a collaborative approach, and a level-headed perspective to the GSL School Board. My ability to stay organized, listen to different perspectives, and work toward thoughtful solutions would help me contribute positively to board discussions and decision-making. I believe these qualities would allow me to represent our community and support the best interests of our students and schools. 

What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?

I believe the most important issue facing education today is student mental health and wellness. Many students are struggling with mental health challenges, yet the resources and supports they need are not always available or accessible in our schools. Ensuring students have access to the right resources and support is essential to their well-being and their ability to succeed academically.

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the GS School District?

I believe one of the most important challenges facing the GSL School District is declining enrollment. When attending community events and seeing so many children and families, it makes me wonder where those children are enrolled and what we can do to encourage more families to choose GSL. I believe it is important to understand the reasons behind declining enrollment and work together as a community to find solutions that keep our schools strong.

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities you believe GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what would you hope to accomplish during your time on the board?

My top three priorities for GSL over the next four years would be student achievement, school safety, and community engagement. I would hope to support initiatives that help every student succeed, ensure our schools remain safe and welcoming, and strengthen communication and collaboration between the district, families, and the community. During my time on the board, I would work to make thoughtful decisions that reflect the needs of our students and the community we serve.

 

No response was received by the publication deadline.

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Tell us a little about yourself.  

My name is Liz Griebel, but many of you may recognize me by my maiden name Liz Tromborg. I live in Glencoe, and have resided within the Glencoe-Silver Lake School district my whole life. I was raised on a farm in rural Glencoe and attended First Lutheran School prek-6th grade, was homeschooled for four years, and then attended GSL High School while taking Post Secondary classes. I graduated from GSL in 2008 and attended South Dakota State University where I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science. After graduating from college, I returned to Glencoe where I have made my home in the community. At this time I do not have any children. 

 What is your occupation or professional background?

I am currently a BSA Analyst at Security Bank & Trust, based here in Glencoe. I recently moved from the Corporate location to the Plato branch, where I am able to serve the community as a personal banker alongside my data analysis role. In addition to my full-time employment, I have been involved in aquatics for over 20 years, interacting with countless children of all ages and families from many communities. During this time, I have also worked for over 20 years in the disability services field as a para-professional and as a direct support professional. Additionally, I have spent 10 years in management roles, leading teams of staff, overseeing budgets, and ensuring licensing requirements are met. Lastly, I have extensive training in emergency preparedness and safety protocols. 

Why are you running for the GSL School Board?

When I was a junior and senior student attending GSL High School in 2006-2008, our district was in Statutory Operating Debt (SOD). During this time, catastrophic cuts were made to the budget that both impacted the quality of our education and eliminated the ability to have choices in class offerings and more. This experience has stuck with me and motivates me to advocate for both current and future students, their families, and the community.

I am running for the GSL School Board to foster an environment of fiscal accountability, responsibility, and transparency. I support the implementation of stronger checks and balances throughout administration, including at the superintendent level, as well as open dialogue and regular performance reviews for school board members. Supporting the teachers who are on the front-lines is essential to strengthening our classrooms, and I intend to be a resource and advocate for them. I believe that each of these actions will strengthen all areas of the school district to create long-term stability within our school district.

What qualities, skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the school board if elected?

I have worked as a para-professional with grades 6-12 in two public school districts and have had the ability to experience first-hand what challenges our teachers and students face daily. I believe this gives me unique insight and will help me serve as a strong advocate for the classroom. Additionally, my experience with data analysis, budgeting, and licensing will help me critique the data presented and will help me make informed decisions. Lastly, my work as a swim instructor connects me with countless families within the school district which allows me the unique opportunity to both advocate for families as well as educate families on behalf of the school board.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?

I believe funding continues to be a major concern for education at all levels, including local, state, and federal. Funding is intricately tied to each individual tax-payer, which creates further impact at home within our school district. I don’t believe that funding will ever be a non-issue for publicly-funded education, but I do believe that tax-payers can be more thoroughly educated on the education-related funding changes occurring around them. If there is a lack of funding to the school district, services will begin to fail and the quality of the student’s education will decline. It is imperative that we as tax-payers are properly educated on the funding initiatives so that we can vote with intention and confidence.

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the GSL School District?

I believe the persistent decline in enrollment is the biggest issue the GSL School District is currently facing. With this decline in enrollment, I believe there has been a breakdown in the relationship between families, students, and the school district. Families and students need to feel valued and heard, and when there is consistent turnover in staffing or inadequate staffing, building a relationship becomes challenging. There is a consistently negative narrative that GSL does not appropriately address bullying, and this may also cause students to enroll in other districts. When enrollment declines, funding declines, and the domino effect begins. Surveying to determine what motivates students to enroll elsewhere can be an important first step in remedying this issue.

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities you believe GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what would you hope to accomplish during your time on the board?

Over the next four years, I believe GSL should focus on being fiscally accountable, responsible, and transparent by implementing stronger checks and balances on administration and superintendents as well as regular performance reviews for school board members.

GSL should proactively inform community members via the school’s various communication avenues about upcoming high-dollar financial items, especially given the decline in printed newspaper media. This financial education includes ensuring community members understand local and state education funding so voters can make informed decisions on tax initiatives.

GSL should investigate the cause behind the decline in enrollment and seek ways to increase enrollment numbers in the upcoming years. Additional enrollment will bring in additional funding and services, which strengthens the district as a whole. Building and repairing relationships with families within our school district should be an essential initiative.

If elected to the Glencoe-Silver Lake School Board, I hope to lead with financial transparency, work to educate the community about the financial constraints and challenges faced by the district, and advocate on behalf of classroom staff, families and students, and the GSL School District to build a solid foundation of longevity and stability.

  

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Tell us a little about yourself. 

I live in Glencoe with my husband, David, and our family. I’ve lived in the GSL School District for 12 years, while David grew up here and attended GSL schools. We currently have children in the GSL School District.

I work full-time in healthcare technology, and outside of work I enjoy being involved in our kids’ activities and finding ways to give back to our community. That desire to be more involved led me to join the GSL Community Education Advisory Board in January 2025 and the First Lutheran Cemetery Board in January 2026.

As a parent, community member, and taxpayer, I care deeply about GSL’s long-term success. I want our district to remain strong for today’s students and for generations of families to come.

What is your occupation or professional background?

I work in healthcare technology and have more than 15 years of experience leading complex initiatives and organizational change. My background includes strategic planning, product management, operational improvement, artificial intelligence, and large-scale technology transformation.

Much of my work involves taking complex problems, using data to understand them, bringing people together around priorities, and developing practical plans that deliver measurable results. I also have experience identifying efficiencies and making the best use of limited resources.

I believe those skills translate well to school board service, where decisions require balancing the needs of students and staff, financial responsibility, community expectations, and the district’s long-term goals.

Why are you running for the GSL School Board?

I’m running because I care about the long-term success of GSL and believe I have experience that can contribute to the work of the board. I don’t have a personal agenda. I see this as another opportunity to give back to my community and help ensure our district is positioned well for the future.

GSL has a lot to be proud of, and I believe there are also opportunities to make us stronger. I want to bring a strategic, data-driven perspective to the board while listening to our students, families, staff, and community.

Most importantly, I want to help GSL provide strong opportunities for students, use taxpayer dollars responsibly, and make thoughtful decisions that will benefit our district for years to come.

What qualities, skills, experiences, or perspectives would you bring to the school board if elected?

I would bring strategic thinking, financial responsibility, data-driven decision-making, and a strong focus on accountability and results.

Professionally, I work through complex problems, evaluate data, prioritize investments, improve operations, and bring people with different perspectives together around shared goals. I’m comfortable asking questions, respectfully challenging assumptions, and looking for better ways to accomplish our goals.

I also bring the perspective of a current GSL parent, taxpayer, and community member. I believe a board member’s role is to listen, ask thoughtful questions, consider different perspectives, and make decisions based on what is best for the district as a whole—not any one individual or group.

What do you believe is the most important issue facing education today?

One of the biggest challenges facing education today is preparing students for a rapidly changing world while working within increasingly difficult financial and staffing realities.

Technology and artificial intelligence are changing how we learn and work, but strong academic fundamentals remain essential. Schools need to prepare students with core academic skills while also developing critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and career-ready skills.

At the same time, districts have limited resources and many competing priorities. We need to understand what is working, measure outcomes, and make thoughtful decisions about where resources will have the greatest impact. The goal should always be to prepare students for success, whether their next step is college, the workforce, the trades, military service, or another path.

What do you believe is the most important issue or challenge currently facing the GSL School District?

I believe one of GSL’s biggest challenges—and opportunities—is enrollment. Hundreds of students who live within our district boundaries attend school elsewhere. That affects not only our classrooms and programs, but also the financial health of the district.

Rather than assume we know why families make different choices, I believe we need to listen and learn. Understanding what families value, where they believe GSL is doing well, and where they see opportunities for improvement can help us make better decisions.

Enrollment is not something we solve with a single program or initiative. It requires us to continually strengthen the overall GSL experience and build a district that current families are proud of and future families want to be part of.

Looking ahead, what are the top three priorities you believe GSL should focus on over the next four years, and what would you hope to accomplish during your time on the board?

My top three priorities are strengthening enrollment, expanding opportunities for students, and responsible financial stewardship.

For enrollment, I would like to see GSL establish a clearer picture of why students leave or choose to stay, set measurable goals, and track whether our efforts are making a difference.

For students, we should continue evaluating our academic, career and technical, extracurricular, and other offerings to ensure we are preparing students for a wide range of paths after graduation.

Financially, we need to prioritize resources carefully, seek efficiencies, use competitive bidding when appropriate, and evaluate investments based on their long-term value.

Over four years, I would hope to see measurable progress in each area, with clear goals that allow the board and community to understand what is working and where we need to improve.

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No response was received by the publication deadline.

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