Schools

Hopkins School Board Race Now Has Five Candidates

Kris Newcomer and Steven Adams filed to run last week.

As of Tuesday morning, there are five candidates for the four School Board positions up for election this year.

Patch talked with Minnetonka resident Kris Newcomer about her qualifications, the issues she’ll focus on and what she’d be like as a school board member.

Steven Adams, also of Minnetonka, has filed to run, as well. He is out of town and away from phone service for the week. Patch will talk with him once he returns.

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Irma McIntosh Coleman, Tina Soumare and Wendy Donovan filed earlier for the School Board.

Kris Newcomer

Time in Hopkins Public Schools: 21 years

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Education: Master’s degree in history, mini master’s degree in marketing and project management, bachelor’s in art history

Job: Part owner of the , director of outreach for The BrandLab

Family: Three children—two college graduates and one senior at Hopkins High School

Government experience

  • Worked on the district’s budget committee and strategic planning committee
  • Past president of the Hopkins Education Foundation
  • Co-chair of the 2010 referendum campaign

Other relevant experience

Issues of interest

  • School finance: “I think school finance is a make or break issue.”
  • Educating all students

Biggest challenges facing Hopkins Public Schools

  • 21st Century Skills: The district’s responsibility is to provide students the skills they’ll need for the future. It’s important to look at whether the essential skills have changed, she said.
  • State funding: School districts face declining state revenue and “funding shifts” that delay payments. 

Approach as a school board director: Newcomer promised to listen, make sure she understands an issue and then make “the best decision that works for all kids.” She said she wouldn’t bring a predetermined agenda to the position. “It’s a nonpartisan board. It’s time to serve the community,” she said.


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