Derek Diesen

Derek Diesen

Education

High school

Richfield High School

Other

Dunwoody Institute

Personal

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Personal website

Derek Diesen was a candidate for an at-large seat on the Wayzata school board. He did not win a seat in the general election on November 5, 2013.

Biography

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Derek Diesen graduated from Richfield High School and studied at the Dunwoody Institute before beginning his career as a tool and die engineer for ten years. Diesen has owned and operated his own small construction contracting business for 9 years.

Elections

2013

See also: Wayzata Public Schools elections (2013)

Derek Diesen was defeated in a race against eight fellow candidates for three vacant at-large school board seats in the general election on November 5, 2013.

Results

Wayzata Public Schools, At-large General Election, 4-year term, 2013
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Nonpartisan	Chris McCullough	21.9%	1,607
	Nonpartisan	Sarah Johansen	21%	1,539
	Nonpartisan	Andrea Cuene	15.2%	1,112
	Nonpartisan	Ted Victor	13.4%	981
	Nonpartisan	Dan Haugen	12.2%	894
	Nonpartisan	Derek Diesen	6.6%	486
	Nonpartisan	David A. Lloyd	3.7%	268
	Nonpartisan	Bill Pritchard	2.9%	215
	Nonpartisan	Phil Napier	2.7%	200
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0.4%	29
Total Votes				7,331
Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for Selected Contests in School District No. 284 - Wayzata," accessed December 18, 2013

Funding

Derek Diesen reported $250.00 in contributions and $1,495.00 in expenditures to Wayzata Public Schools, which left his campaign with $1,245.00 in debt.

Endorsements

Derek Diesen received an endorsement for his campaign from John Alexander, who serves as the head of the Groves Academy school for students with disabilities.

Campaign themes

Diesen's campaign website listed the following campaign themes for 2013:

I believe Wayzata is a great school district, with fantastic teachers. I believe literacy is the single most important issue any school, including Wayzata. I believe poor literacy instruction affects ALL students and teachers in the system. If a few students in every classroom are struggling with basic skills, it slows everyone down. It makes teaching and learning more difficult. I believe that there is an opportunity to improve by figuring out why 12% of Wayzata students did not graduate in four years and working toward a solution. I believe there are cheaper more effective alternatives than Reading Recovery to help struggling readers. For example: Systematic Phonics. I believe too few students in Wayzata, with reading issues, are identified for special education. The national average is about 4%, state average is 3% (3rd lowest in the country), Wayzata is at 1.31%. Do you know anyone who just missed getting into Special Ed. for reading? I believe that people do not realize how many families are self funding outside academic help for either struggling or advanced students. I believe the achievement gap comes not from a lack of access to technology but from access to outside instruction. I believe every decision made should be viewed through the "who, what, and how" it affects student outcomes. How does a new desk in every classroom, in every school, improve student outcomes? I believe that the 21st century skills we plan to teach are currently undefined and unmeasurable. I believe we have a finite number of resources available. I believe there is a need for more facilities and class offerings in Industrial Arts. When I talk with students, this is often an overlooked group. I believe the High School start time is too early, the bus comes at 6:25 in my neighborhood. I believe in accountability and transparency. I believe there is room for improvement.

Note: The above quote is from the candidate's website, which may include some typographical or spelling errors.

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term "Derek + Diesen + Wayzata + Public + Schools"

Derek Diesen News Feed

See also

• Wayzata Public Schools, Minnesota
• Wayzata Public Schools Elections (2013)

External links

Suggest a link

• District page
• Campaign website
• Facebook page