Linda Cohen
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Linda Cohen is an at-large representative on the Wayzata School Board in Minnesota. First elected in 1999, Cohen won a new term in the at-large general election in 2019.[1].
Biography
Linda Cohen resides in Wayzata, Minnesota. Cohen graduated from Washburn Public High School before earning her B.A. from Wellesley College, M.A. in the history of science from Harvard University and Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Minnesota. She spent 20 years as a psychologist working with adolescents and families. Since 2007, Cohen has served as a regent on the University of Minnesota's Board of Regents.[2]
Elections
2015
- See also: Wayzata Public Schools elections (2015)
The election in Wayzata featured four of the seven seats on the board up for at-large general election on November 3, 2015.
The seats of incumbents Linda Cohen, Jay Hesby, Carter Peterson, and Cheryl Polzin were up for election. Cohen and Polzin faced challengers Erik Brown, David Craig, Bonita Lucky, and Bindu Moram for the four at-large seats. Cohen, Polzin, Brown, and Lucky won the four seats.
Neither Hesby nor Peterson filed to run for re-election.
Results
| Wayzata Public Schools, At-Large, General Election, 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Linda Cohen Incumbent |
24.1% | 1,364 |
| Cheryl Polzin Incumbent |
23.1% | 1,306 |
| Erik Brown |
19.9% | 1,128 |
| Bonita Lucky |
12.9% | 728 |
| David Craig | 11.5% | 653 |
| Bindu Moram | 8.0% | 451 |
| Write-in votes | 0.51% | 29 |
| Total Votes | 5,659 | |
| Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, "Local Results in Hennepin County," accessed November 4, 2015 These election results are not official and will be updated when certified results are available. You can submit certified results by contacting us. |
||
Funding
Cohen reported $50.00 in contributions and $1,157.04 in expenditures to the Wayzata Public Schools administration, which left her campaign with $1,107.04 in debt during the election.[3]
Endorsements
Cohen did not receive any official endorsements during the election.
2011
| Wayzata Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 4-year term, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Linda Cohen Incumbent |
18.1% | 1,576 | |
| Nonpartisan | Cheryl Polzin |
17.2% | 1,500 | |
| Nonpartisan | Carter Peterson |
16.6% | 1,444 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jay Hesby Incumbent |
14.7% | 1,279 | |
| Nonpartisan | Gregory Baufield | 11.7% | 1,019 | |
| Nonpartisan | Joan Curtiss | 11.5% | 999 | |
| Nonpartisan | Nick Roehl | 9.8% | 857 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.5% | 44 | |
| Total Votes | 8,718 | |||
| Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, "School Board Member (ISD #284) (Elect 4)," accessed October 15, 2013 | ||||
Campaign themes
2015
Cohen completed a survey conducted by the Lakeshore Weekly News:
| “ | What is your view of the state of the school district?
The Wayzata School District is in an extraordinarily strong position right now--and the job of the School Board is to see that it grows even stronger. We have an extremely supportive community, which believes in excellent education (80% yes vote on last referendum), a growing number of families who want their children educated in the district (therefore, new elementary school and high school edition), a most talented administration and staff, led by an outstanding Superintendent. In addition, national and state measures show that our students excel, we have a curriculum that is rigorous and innovative, as well as instruction that is data-based and its efficacy assessed often. (Curriculum and instruction are two of my top interests). And another extremely important factor is the very sound financial state of the district, being one of only two districts in the state with a AAA bond rating from two rating agencies. What is the biggest issue facing your district right now? I believe there are two inter-related issues that come to the fore. Our abbreviated mission or tag line statement reads, "Excellence. For each and every student." That focus on each of our students, on each of the kids that is placed in our care every school day is our primary job and emphasis--how does each student work to the best of his/her ability? We are a growing and fairly large district with a very large high school, so the second aspect of the focus on "each and every" student is how we make a big school small. Together, making sure that each student knows that he/she is an important participant and not "lost between the cracks" to me is the biggest issue facing the district right now. What skills and expertise will you contribute to the school board? I have served on the Wayzata School Board for 16 years and have been Chair for a total of 5 years and also served as Vice-chair, Clerk, and Treasurer. I know the district well! Prior to being on the School Board all 3 of our kids went K-12 to Wayzata school district schools. A few years ago, one granddaughter graduated from Wayzata and another will graduate next year. I have been involved in the Wayzata schools for a long time and we have lived in the district for over 40 years. I have a great attachment to the district, believe strongly in the value of excellent public education, and believe that it is a great asset to our community. On top of the expertise, I bring a strong belief in and ability to enhance a collaborative approach, objectivity in decision-making and careful and responsive listening. Why are you running? I am running because I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Wayzata School Board and also believe that I have some expertise and can make a contribution to the district and to a community, both of which I have been a part for many years and to which I feel a great deal of allegiance. (see question #3). I really like reading and thinking about education and participating in it--when people ask what I do for fun, I tell them that--besides some tennis, walking, and swimming! In addition, I would like to be a part of making a really strong school district even better. Why should you be elected? Having served for 16 years on the Wayzata Board, several as Chair, and currently also serving on the University of Minnesota Board of Regents (and having been a former Chair), I believe I have a rather unique perspective and experience in education that can be helpful to the district. I have been involved in education all my life--and believe that it opens doors and creates options and changes lives. It would be my great pleasure and privilege to serve on the Wayzata School Board and to serve this community for another term.[4] |
” |
| —Lakeshore Weekly News survey (2015)[5] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Linda Cohen' 'Wayzata Public Schools'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
- Wayzata Public Schools
- Office website
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook page
- The University of Minnesota Board of Regents profile
Footnotes
- ↑ Sun Salior, "Wayzata School Board election: Cohen, Falconer, Lucky and Polzin win," November 5, 2019
- ↑ Re-Elect Linda A. Cohen For Wayzata School Board, "Background," accessed October 26, 2015
- ↑ Wayzata Public Schools, "School Board," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Lakeshore Weekly News, "Linda Cohen," September 28, 2015
| 2015 Wayzata Public Schools Elections | |
| Hennepin County, Minnesota | |
| Election date: | November 3, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, Linda Cohen • Incumbent, Cheryl Polzin • Erik Brown • David Craig • Bonita Lucky • Bindu Moram |
| Important information: | Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
