Samantha C. Dwyer (Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, At-large, Minnesota, candidate 2024)

Samantha C. Dwyer

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, At-large

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Sauk Rapids-Rice High School

Personal

Birthplace

Tacoma, Wash.

Profession

Operations Manager

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Samantha C. Dwyer ran for election for an at-large seat of the Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools school board in Minnesota. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Dwyer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Samantha C. Dwyer provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 30, 2024:

• Birth date: November 16, 1987
• Birth place: Tacoma, Washington
• High school: Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
• Gender: Female
• Profession: Operations Manager
• Prior offices held:
  • Board of Education Director (2023-Prsnt)
• Incumbent officeholder: Yes
• Campaign endorsements
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, At-large (4 seats)

NiCole J.H. Broman, Ryan L. Butkowski, Samantha C. Dwyer, Mark Hauck, and Tracy Morse ran in the general election for Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools, At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	NiCole J.H. Broman (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Ryan L. Butkowski (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Samantha C. Dwyer (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Mark Hauck (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Tracy Morse (Nonpartisan)

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	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

To view Dwyer's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Dwyer in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Samantha C. Dwyer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Dwyer'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.

A Sauk Rapids-Rice Alumni, Samantha's dedication to the Sauk Rapids community began in 2006 when she graduated from proudly representing the green and gold. In 2017, she moved to Sauk Rapids permanently with her husband and son. Her involvement in community organizations, such as the Sauk Rapids Planning Commission and the Sauk Rapids-Rice Youth Baseball Association, and her role as former Pleasantview PTAC President, have honed her decision-making skills and deepened her commitment to youth education and extracurricular activities. Samantha's community service and collaborative leadership have provided her with a well-rounded perspective on education, community development, and youth engagement. These experiences make her the best candidate to contribute to the continued success of the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District as a School Board member.

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?

• My top priority is always our students. Every decision I make will be guided by what is in their best interest. Our students deserve to be at the center of every conversation, ensuring they have the support and resources they need to thrive.
• Parents and guardians are a student’s first and most important advocates. By empowering families to actively engage in their children's education, we create a powerful partnership that enhances student outcomes. I will work to ensure every parent and guardian feels welcomed, valued, and heard in our district.
• I believe leadership is about being present. I will be actively engaged throughout my term, attending academic and athletic events, visiting our schools, and celebrating the achievements of our students, educators, and staff. Together, we can continue the great work happening in our district.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

In addition to education, I am passionate about public policies that impact our community's well-being. I strongly advocate for responsible budget management to ensure resources support academic and extracurricular programs. As a member of the Sauk Rapids Planning Commission, I promote community-driven development for smart growth in our area. I also focus on youth engagement, recognizing the positive impact of sports and activities on children's development through my involvement within various organizations. By fostering partnerships between public institutions and families, I aim to ensure every voice shapes the future of our schools and city.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Trusted Leader, by David Horsager

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

The most important characteristics and principles for an elected school board official include:

Integrity: Acting honestly and ethically in all decisions is crucial to maintaining trust with the community and ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of students.

Commitment to Students: A school board member must prioritize students’ academic and emotional well-being, making decisions that support their growth and success.

Transparency and Accountability: Open communication with the public and being accountable for actions are vital for building trust and fostering a positive relationship with stakeholders.

Collaboration: Working effectively with other board members, educators, parents, and community members to develop policies that benefit the entire district is essential.

Fiscal Responsibility: School board officials should manage district finances responsibly, ensuring funds are allocated wisely to support educational programs and infrastructure.

Vision and Strategic Thinking: A strong school board member needs to have a long-term vision for the district and make decisions that align with the community’s future goals.

Advocacy for Equity: Ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to quality education and equal opportunities is a vital principle.

Active Listening: Listening to the concerns of parents, teachers, and students, and incorporating community input in decision-making, helps ensure policies are reflective of the community's needs.

Presence and Engagement: Being actively involved in school and community events, and staying informed about district issues, shows dedication to the role and its responsibilities.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability: A school board member must be able to address challenges head-on and adapt to changes in education policy or community needs.

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

The most important characteristics and principles for an elected school board official include:

Integrity: Acting honestly and ethically in all decisions is crucial to maintaining trust with the community and ensuring decisions are made in the best interest of students.

Commitment to Students: A school board member must prioritize students’ academic and emotional well-being, making decisions that support their growth and success.

Transparency and Accountability: Open communication with the public and being accountable for actions are vital for building trust and fostering a positive relationship with stakeholders.

Collaboration: Working effectively with other board members, educators, parents, and community members to develop policies that benefit the entire district is essential.

Fiscal Responsibility: School board officials should manage district finances responsibly, ensuring funds are allocated wisely to support educational programs and infrastructure.

Vision and Strategic Thinking: A strong school board member needs to have a long-term vision for the district and make decisions that align with the community’s future goals.

Advocacy for Equity: Ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to quality education and equal opportunities is a vital principle.

Active Listening: Listening to the concerns of parents, teachers, and students, and incorporating community input in decision-making, helps ensure policies are reflective of the community's needs.

Presence and Engagement: Being actively involved in school and community events, and staying informed about district issues, shows dedication to the role and its responsibilities.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability: A school board member must be able to address challenges head-on and adapt to changes in education policy or community needs.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I can still remember it to this day, 9/11 was the very first, sad, and life changing historical event that happened in my lifetime. I was in middle school, and can still remember announcements coming over the loud speaker- locking down the school, having lessons canceled all day, and being glued to each television that was in each classroom.

That day has altered, and changed my appreciation for our first responders, all branches of our military and especially their families. I believe we all owe them unlimited gratitude for their sacrifices they make to keep our homeland safe and secure.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was at a local Ice Cream shop, making and decorating custom Ice Cream Cakes for Special Events.

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

To create and maintain policy, and employ the role of Superintendent of our School District.

Who are your constituents?

The entire community.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

MN Parent Alliance

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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