Robert Helgeson
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Robert Helgeson is an at-large representative on the Mounds View Board of Education in Minnesota. Helgeson sought another term in the general election on November 3, 2015. Robert Helgeson won the general election on November 3, 2015.
Helgeson was first elected to the board in 2003.
Biography
Robert Helgeson resides in Mounds View, Minnesota. Helgeson earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wartburg College, a master's degree in English from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Iowa. He is employed as a classroom teacher.[1]
Elections
2015
The election in Mounds View featured four of the seven seats on the board up for general election on November 3, 2015.
The seats of incumbents Robert Helgeson, Amy Jones, Jonathan Weinhagen, and Sandra Westerman were up for election. All four incumbents filed to run for re-election, and they defeated challenger John Hakes for the four at-large seats. Hakes previously ran unsuccessfully for the board in both 2011 and 2013.
Results
| Mounds View Public Schools, At-Large, General Election, 2015 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Sandra Westerman Incumbent |
23.5% | 3,160 |
| Amy Jones Incumbent |
22.2% | 2,988 |
| Jonathan Weinhagen Incumbent |
21.6% | 2,904 |
| Robert Helgeson Incumbent |
20.2% | 2,712 |
| John Hakes | 12.0% | 1,615 |
| Write-in votes | 0.45% | 61 |
| Total Votes | 13,440 | |
| Source: Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, "Local Results in Ramsey 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
Helgeson reported no contributions or expenditures to the Ramsey County Election Office during the election.[2]
Endorsements
Helgeson received an endorsement from SEIU Local 284.[3]
2011
| Mounds View Public Schools, At-Large General Election, 4-year term, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | Sandra Westerman Incumbent |
17.4% | 2,883 | |
| Nonpartisan | Robert Helgeson Incumbent |
16.1% | 2,669 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lisa Sjobeck Incumbent |
13.9% | 2,304 | |
| Nonpartisan | Amy Jones |
12.7% | 2,107 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lee Porath | 12.5% | 2,075 | |
| Nonpartisan | Tim Husnik | 8.9% | 1,483 | |
| Nonpartisan | John Hakes | 6.8% | 1,134 | |
| Nonpartisan | Jonathan Weinhagen | 5.8% | 957 | |
| Nonpartisan | Marilyn Bunzo | 5.4% | 891 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0.5% | 88 | |
| Total Votes | 16,591 | |||
| Source: Ramsey County, Minnesota, "Abstract of Votes Cast," accessed October 14, 2013 | ||||
Campaign themes
2015
Helgeson completed a survey conducted by The Sun Focus:
| “ | Why are you seeking election to the Mounds View School Board?
My children have benefitted greatly from the efforts of many adults in the community who have given their time and expertise to help with a wide variety of activities. While I have enjoyed pitching batting practice, patrolling the sidelines of youth football games, setting up swimming pools for meets, and helping with countless fundraisers, education is my field of expertise. It is where I am able to contribute most meaningfully to the community. By helping to maintain excellent schools, I am able to add value to the lives of all members of our community in one way or another. Serving on the school board provides me with the best opportunity to give my best back to the community that has been so good to my family. What are the top two or three priorities for the Mounds View School District in the coming year, and how would you address them? One priority is to maintain the excellent program offerings and reasonable class sizes that have characterized the Mounds View Public Schools. The district has been ahead of the curve on such things as Early College, all-day kindergarten, and, most recently, pre-K options. Such innovative thinking characterizes a district that is constantly trying to be better. This sort of thinking propels Mounds View Schools. While such creative thinking in the area of program development is significant, the district has recognized that education is essentially a “people” business, and has maintained a focus on keeping class sizes in ranges that allow for individualized instruction. This requires maintaining a lean overall operation that is fiscally responsible to taxpayers. A second priority would be tending to the district’s facilities needs. Buildings age, programs evolve, and as these things occur, brick and mortar must be tended to. We need to maintain the structural integrity and efficiency of our current buildings. We need to retrofit some structures to suit new program needs. We also need to gain access to additional space if we are to accommodate pre-K program offerings. The district has to do all of this in the most fiscally responsible manner possible. A third priority is the strategic acquisition and use of technology. While many districts have moved headlong with costly one-to-one device-to-student initiatives, treating technology as if it is some magic talisman in its own right, Mounds View Schools have approached the use of technology thoughtfully, deliberately placing student learning at the forefront. Mounds View schools should supply technology that best enhances instruction and serves student needs as our students prepare for productive lives.[4] |
” |
| —The Sun Focus survey (2015)[1] | ||
2011
Helgeson completed a survey conducted by the Pioneer Press:
| “ | Biggest issue and how to solve it:
The biggest issue in the Mounds View district will be maintaining excellence throughout the system during lean economic times. While the community has been very supportive of the schools, the state portion of school funding has proven less predictable or stable than in the past.[4] |
” |
| —Pioneer Press survey (2011)[5] | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 'Robert Helgeson' 'Mounds View Public Schools'. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 The Sun Focus, "Five candidates seek seats on Mounds View School Board," October 16, 2014
- ↑ Ramsey County Election Office, "Campaign Finance Reports - 2015," accessed November 1, 2015
- ↑ SEIU Local 284, "SEIU Local 284 Political Endorsements for Nov. 3, 2015 Election," accessed October 29, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Pioneer Press, "Three incumbents, six others in run for Mounds View school board," October 27, 2011
| 2015 Mounds View Public Schools Elections | |
| Ramsey County, Minnesota | |
| Election date: | November 3, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, Robert Helgeson • Incumbent, Amy Jones • Incumbent, Jonathan Weinhagen • Incumbent, Sandra Westerman • John Hakes |
| Important information: | Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
