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Joseph Matthes
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Joseph Matthes was a candidate for the District 1 seat on the Duluth school board. Matthes received enough votes to pass through the September 10 primary election but lost in the general election on November 5, 2013.
Biography
Joseph Matthes resides in Duluth, Minnesota. Matthes graduated from Duluth East Senior High School before earning his bachelor's degree in political science and his Master's degree in Advocacy and Political Leadership from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in addition to completing the Executive Leadership in State and Local Government program at the Harvard University Kennedy School.[1] He is employed as a labor representative by AFSCME Council 65.[2]
Elections
2013
- See also: Duluth Public Schools elections (2013)
Joseph Matthes lost to Rosie Loeffler-Kemp in his bid to win the District 1 seat in the general election on November 5, 2013. Matthes and Kemp defeated Marcia Stromgren in the September 10 primary election to continue on to the general election.
Results
| Duluth Public Schools, District 1 General Election, 4-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan |  Rosie Loeffler-Kemp |
56.1% | 3,317 | |
| Nonpartisan | Joseph Matthes | 43.4% | 2,563 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.5% | 32 | |
| Total Votes | 5,912 | |||
| Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, "Results for Selected Contests in School District No. 709 - Duluth," accessed December 18, 2013 | ||||
| Duluth Public Schools, District 1 Primary Election, 4-year term, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Rosie Loeffler-Kemp |
53.7% | 1,086 | |
| Nonpartisan | Joseph Matthes |
26% | 526 | |
| Nonpartisan | Marcia Stromgren | 20.3% | 410 | |
| Total Votes | 2,022 | |||
| Source: Duluth, Minnesota, "Summary Report," accessed October 24, 2013 (dead link) | ||||
Funding
Joseph Matthes reported $2,695.00 in contributions and $2,714.20 in expenditures to Duluth Public Schools, which left his campaign with $19.20 in debt.[3]
Endorsements
Joseph Matthes received endorsements for his campaign from AFSCME Council 65, the Duluth Building and Construction Trades Council, former City Councilor Jeff Anderson and the Duluth News Tribune.[4]
Campaign themes
Matthes' campaign website listed the following campaign themes for 2013:[5]
|
Reducing our class sizes We have class sizes that are, on average, above the recommended levels set by the Minnesota Department of Education. We need to do better. It's important that we work to pass our operating levy and put the money in to the classrooms by hiring teachers and bringing our class sizes down to recommended levels. Increasing curriculum options A student should never have to choose between taking a music class and taking an honors class. We need to offer classes at a variety of hours in the day in order to allow our students to receive the education they deserve. It is important that we restore the hours we've taken from our kids and expand our curriculum options to allow our students to receive the best and broadest education possible. The Achievement Gap We're graduating about 70% of our students, but only around 40% of our students of color. We recognize the problem, but we need to enact educational priorities to allow every student to succeed. The achievement gap begins before students enter the public school system, and it is hard for those who start from behind to catch up. It's important for our community to reach out to parents and caregivers and give them the tools they need to prepare their children for school. Once our kids are in school, we need to work with those who need the extra help to bring them up to the levels of their peers. The Community After knocking on hundreds and hundreds of doors, I've heard first-hand that many people still have some issues regarding the trust they have in the Duluth School Board. I will be a trustworthy and honest community advocate. I promise to listen to the concerns and questions of our parents and neighbors. We may not always agree, but you will always know where I stand. The Red Plan I understand that some of our neighbors still have reservations about the Red Plan. It is important for our community members to understand that the Red Plan construction is completed, and we must move to a position of doing the best for our students. We are a strong community, and we understand that it's our responsibility to provide our kids with the best education possible. We will move forward together, and we will make the Duluth Public Schools the best in Minnesota! |
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 "Joseph + Matthes + Duluth + Public + Schools"
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Facebook, "About," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Duluth News Tribune, "Duluth School Board District 1 Voter Guide," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through email from the Business Services department of Duluth Public Schools on December 30, 2013
- ↑ Democracy, "Endorsements," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ Democracy, "Issues," accessed October 28, 2013
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