The Eden Prairie Education Association (EPEA), which is the Eden Prairie Schools educator’s union, has endorsed three of the six current candidates for school board.
EPEA threw its support behind Ann Bradsher, Kim Ross, and Jody Ward-Rannow in a press release posted on its website. These three are among six candidates vying for three open school board seats in the Nov. 5 election, alongside Jon Cermak, Kim Johnson, and Dennis Stubbs.
The full text of EPEA’s statement, issued Sept. 20, is below.
EPEA Election 2024 press release
“Today, the Eden Prairie Education Association is proud to announce our endorsements for November’s school board election. As a community, there are few better measures of our values and beliefs than the education system we provide for our youngest residents. In Eden Prairie, we have a longstanding tradition of excellence within our schools, and with three seats on our School Board up for election, it is time to recommit to the principles that have grown our schools into one of Minnesota’s premier districts. This November, when you find yourself submitting your ballot, Eden Prairie’s teachers are asking you to remember the 3 R’s: Responsibility, Respect, and Representation.
“The 3 R’s are what drive the campaigns of Kim Ross, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Ann Bradsher. These candidates each understand what it means to be a parent in Eden Prairie Schools. They have lived the promise we provide each of our students from the moment they enter our Little Eagles of Kindergarten programs. They’ve watched our students from the bleachers and attended open houses, witnessing our teachers’ efforts to help their children grow. From these experiences, Ms. Ross, Ms. Bradsher, and Ms. Ward-Rannow have seen the fundamental nature of the 3 R’s in our schools.
“As parents and elected officials, these candidates understand the responsibility inherent in their elected position. As a certified public accountant, Ms. Bradsher is more than capable of addressing the difficult budget questions that are all too common in public education.”
The EPEA said that Ross has helped “pilot the district through social challenges during the COVID pandemic and financial challenges that have lingered in the post-pandemic world.” However, the press release erroneously stated that Ross served on the school board for eight years since 2016. Ross has served on the school board for eight years, but not consecutively. She was first elected in 2007 and served 2008-11. She then ran again and was elected in 2020, and has served on the board since.
The statement continued, “Ms. Ward-Rannow is an attorney with years of experience in employment law and a leading advocate for what our students need as members of the Parent Teacher Organization.
“Ms. Ross, Ms. Ward-Rannow, and Ms. Bradsher understand that respect is the most basic of expectations. They respect the dreams you hold for your child’s future, and they will work to ensure our schools remain safe for all to attend. They respect the work that happens in our classrooms, and they will work to ensure Eden Prairie Schools remain a top destination for teachers in the state of Minnesota. They respect our community, and they will make sure that our best is available for each student in Eden Prairie.
“Kim Ross, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Ann Bradsher are asking us to allow them the privilege of representing the students, teachers, and parents of Eden Prairie. This November, we choose them to be our voice. We should allow them to serve as a representative for the parents who choose to send their children to school with the best every morning. We should allow them to be a voice for the teachers who work tirelessly to ensure our students are most prepared to face an ever-evolving future. Most importantly, we should elect Kim Ross, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Ann Bradsher to be the advocates our students deserve.
“Kim Ross, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Ann Bradsher understand how to ensure Eden Prairie Schools remain a top district in the state of Minnesota, and it’s as simple as the 3 R’s: Responsibility, Respect, and Representation. Teachers are always excited for the fall season, but this year Eden Prairie’s teachers have even more to be excited about. We are excited about the opportunity our community has to further commit to our schools and the intrinsic promise of our students. As the back to school season fades and the leaves fade this fall, don’t forget how important our schools are. Don’t forget to vote for the School Board election. Don’t forget the 3 R’s, and don’t miss the opportunity to vote for Kim Ross, Jody Ward-Rannow, and Ann Bradsher.”
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