Welcome to Heather Weems for District 742
District 742 School Board Candidate - November 2022
As a long-time higher education professional and Mom to four boys in District 742 (one graduated in 2022), I know intimately the value of a strong and engaged school system. The learning environment in which our kids are immersed impacts their growth and development long after they leave our schools and serves as the foundation to personal, professional, and civic success.
I am running for District 742 school board because Education Matters for our kids… our schools… and our communities.
Our KIDS benefit from: Quality teaching, personal support, and engagement opportunities that meet them where they are and maximize each student’s potential
Our SCHOOLS benefit from: Leadership, curriculum, and funding that prepares students for 21st century living
Our COMMUNITIES benefit from: Outreach and partnerships that are student-focused and based upon respectful dialogue and real solutions
Growing up is hard, especially in a diverse and changing world in which:
• necessary skills are getting more specific, yet always shifting
• deep thinking, analysis, and problem-solving are essential, but not always encouraged
• the ability to work and play together enhances the quality of life at every level
• civility and thoughtful discussion are foundational to success
Our schools must be a place in which students feel safe, yet are both challenged and supported in thinking critically and globally across the curriculum and building employment and life skills beginning in Pre-K and extending through graduation. The work is not easy, nor is the path always clear, but we owe it to our kids and our collective future to sustain a strong District 742.
Hi, I'm Heather...
Over the past 10 years, my family has called St. Cloud and Central Minnesota home. District 742 has provided my four boys a wealth of opportunity in and out of the classroom through activities like Advanced Placement classes, Spanish Immersion, National Honor Society, extracurricular sports activities, and LinkCrew among others. The education they have received positions them well to live in an ever-changing multicultural and technologically advancing environment.
Professional
*National Collegiate Hockey Conference, Commissioner (present)
*St. Cloud State University, Director of Athletics (2012-2022)
*Drake University (2009-2012)
*University of Denver (1999-2008)
Family
Spouse:
Bill O'Donnell
Children:
Liam (18)
Lukas (17)
Lincoln (14)
Landon (11)
Community
*St. Cloud Rotary (2012-present)
*Youth sports volunteer
*Various community projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies you to serve on the school board?
I have served as an administrator in higher education the entirety of my career, initially as an academic advisor and then through athletics administration at both public and private universities, including Director of Athletics at St. Cloud State University for 10 years. I have a strong understanding of group dynamics, leadership, and how to navigate within systems and policies to positively impact kids. I have been a student focused leader at the university level, and respect the importance of p-12 education and its impact on student lives. Personally, I have four children who have been/are served by District 742 and are experiencing great academic opportunities. Our community demographics require that we be principled, but also innovative in delivering education to the diverse student population we serve.
What is the primary responsibility of public schools?
To prepare students for life (and its challenges and unpredictability) through the development of academic skills, critical thinking, and social and cultural awareness, and to enhance communities by supporting and graduating an educated and engaged student population.
What role do schools play in early childhood education?
We know that head start programs in proper settings can be academically and socially beneficial to our youngest students. Access and opportunity is critically important, particularly in districts with significant socio-economic disparity.
What role does technology play in education?
We live in an era of advancing technology, and must prepare students for the path to come. Their comfort with and access to various technology platforms prepares them for work and personal lives that rely upon it. That said, the personal touch and face-to-face interactions for students and society support connection, dialogue, and mental health.
What is the role of public schools in respecting and protecting students of various protected classes (race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, etc.)
Schools must ensure all students and their families feel welcomed, affirmed, and supported. In so doing, students of all backgrounds are exposed to different lifestyles, customs, and beliefs. The ability to empathize with peers and practice curiosity, kindness, and respect, as opposed to judgment, is part of the learning process and critical to a healthy society.
How do we protect students and staff from violence?
The safety of our schools is a true community partnership. Schools must implement best practices identified by experts and law enforcement. From a psycho-social perspective, we have to create connection to the best of our ability. We also need to work with families, counselors, and mental health providers to ensure students know support is available and how it is accessible.
How do schools best manage budgets?
Strong budget management requires continual review and discussion related to operational needs, educational goals and priorities, facility and capital investments, and local and state advocacy. We are called to be good stewards of financial resources while also providing the best education possible to our students.