Frances Wittenberg (Duluth School Board District 1, Minnesota, candidate 2025)

Frances Wittenberg

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Duluth School Board District 1

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 4, 2025

Education

Bachelor's

Chapman University

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1998 - 2020

Personal

Profession

Self Employed

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Frances Wittenberg ran for election to the Duluth School Board to represent District 1 in Minnesota. Wittenberg was on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Wittenberg completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Frances Wittenberg provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2025:

• Bachelor's: Chapman University
• Military service: United States Air Force, 1998-2020
• Profession: Self Employed
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Champion for Education and Accountability
• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook
• LinkedIn

Elections

General election

General election for Duluth School Board District 1

Rosie Loeffler-Kemp and Frances Wittenberg ran in the general election for Duluth School Board District 1 on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Rosie Loeffler-Kemp (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Frances Wittenberg (Nonpartisan)

---

	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Wittenberg received the following endorsements.

• Minnesota Parents Alliance

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Frances Wittenberg completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wittenberg's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a proud mom of three amazing children, an Air Force retiree, and a dedicated community member. Over 21 years, I have built a strong foundation in leadership, organizational development, and education through both service and study. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Health Systems and an Associate degree in Business Administration and Management.

Since moving to Duluth, MN five years ago, I have had the opportunity to serve in multiple roles, including City of Duluth Human Rights Commissioner, realtor, nonprofit professional, board member for local United Way, and board member at an early learning center.

Provide a service through volunteering has been a lifelong passion. While in the military, I was honored with the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. My commitment to serving nonprofits—especially through my children’s extracurricular activities—remains a central part of my life.

As a former district employee and an active parent involved in sports, robotics, and PTA, I deeply appreciate those who volunteer to support students and strengthen organizations. I am committed to helping shape the future of our students and our community through continued service and collaboration.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and that starts with ensuring their needs are always at the center of decision-making. I will advocate for students, parents, and educators by working collaboratively with school district leaders to keep the focus on student achievement. This means supporting high-quality instruction, providing resources that address diverse learning needs, and ensuring educators have the tools and support necessary to help students succeed. By building strong partnerships between families, educators, and the district, we can create an environment where every child has the chance to reach their full potential.
• The safety of our schools must always come first. I am committed to protecting our students, staff, and families from both internal and external threats. This means fostering a learning environment where every child feels secure, valued, and supported. I will advocate for strong school safety measures, including emergency preparedness, mental health and resiliency resources, anti-bullying initiatives, and close collaboration with law enforcement and community partners. By taking a proactive approach, we can address potential risks before they become dangers and ensure our schools remain safe and welcoming places for everyone.
• Our community deserves to know how and why decisions are made—especially when they involve taxpayer dollars. I am committed to ensuring that transparency and open communication are at the heart of every decision. This includes providing clear and accessible information, creating meaningful opportunities for community input, and fostering respectful dialogue between the board, families, staff, and students. By holding ourselves accountable and keeping communication open, we can build the trust necessary to make decisions that serve the best interests of our students and our community.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Be Part of the Solution

I believe in working collaboratively to improve academic achievement, restore trust, and empower educators by giving them the resources, time, and support they need.

Safe and Supportive Schools
Every student deserves a safe, supportive environment. I am committed to strengthening physical security and the morale and welfare of our students and staff.

Class Size & Staffing

I will advocate for manageable class sizes and adequate staffing to ensure every student receives individualized attention and educators can meet diverse needs effectively.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should demonstrate integrity and accountability, making ethical, data-driven decisions. They must be open-minded, actively listen to diverse perspectives, and seek ways to build a fiscally responsible and high-performing school district. I believe I can inspire others to be champions for our children’s education and serve as a strong advocate for parents and families.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

My goal is to bring an objective, solutions-focused perspective to our schools. I will advocate for fiscal discipline, academic excellence, accountability, transparency, and innovation to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed.

What legacy would you like to leave?

The legacy I hope to leave is one of service — a commitment to helping others and fostering positive change.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

By being open-minded and serving as a voice for those who feel underrepresented or unheard, I will ensure decisions are made fairly, without bias or political influence, and always focused on improving outcomes for every student.

Who are your constituents?

Students, parents, community members (including taxpayers), local civic leaders, and local businesses.

What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?

Before making decisions on school funding, it is imperative to review current practices. The goal is to eliminate unnecessary spending that does not directly improve student outcomes. Effective processes should remain in place unless evidence shows they do not add value to academic achievement. District administrators’ roles and responsibilities should be evaluated to determine their impact on student learning. Adjustments could include reviewing superintendent salaries, consolidating multiple administrative positions, and ensuring every district administrator contributes meaningfully to support student success.

What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?

Being proactive and preparing students and staff will always be a priority. Collaborating with state representatives to secure funding for the SHIELD Act would provide peace of mind for parents, families, and the community, knowing that all students are safe. In partnership with City of Duluth SROs, and St Louis County Sheriffs, the district must maintain a zero-tolerance policy for any physical or emotional harm toward others at sporting events, bathrooms, on school busses, etc.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Integrating resilience training and opportunities for students, faculty, and staff helps them overcome challenges in the learning environment. To address mental health needs, the district must act on its mission to minimize distractions that impact learning. This could include measures like locking up cell phone use for students, reintegrating WIN time into the schedule, and empowering teachers to create safe, supportive, and effective classroom environments.

Partnering and collaborating with families and community is the key to helping student's achive academically.

What existing district policies would you like to change, or what new policies would you like to implement?

Existing District Policy for Review: Gender Inclusion Policy 541 — to ensure alignment and compliance with federal law, including Title IX protections.

New policies I would like to implement:
Lock up student cell phones during the school day to minimize distractions.

Create a Parent-Community Advisory Committee that includes representatives from existing committees and sub-communities.

Implement a Senior Project for students not enrolled in PSEO/CITS, allowing them to apply their learning through local workforce apprenticeships or internships. Local employers would evaluate students’ readiness for employment, which would determine graduation credit.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Minnesota Parents Alliance

Are there any areas of school curriculum you would like to see changed?

Yes, any curriculum that does not directly support improving reading, math, and science, especially in elementary and middle schools. Lessons that do not add value to these core subjects or are not aligned with improving grade-level proficiency should be reconsidered. Additionally, parents/guardians should have the option to opt out of any curriculum that conflicts with their child's religious beliefs

What role should artificial intelligence have in your school district?

Good, bad, or indifferent, artificial intelligence will continue to exist at school and at home. As leaders in our school community, we must support teachers and principals in using AI as a tool responsibly. While AI can enhance learning, it also carries risks, such as plagiarism. Students must be held accountable for producing their own work, and their use of AI should be closely monitored to ensure academic integrity.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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