Katie Christensen Mineer

I am a former teacher, proud mother of two Fargo Public Schools graduates, and a current nonprofit state director with experience in youth development. After two years on the Board, I stepped into the role of President and have led key initiatives, including a successful superintendent search and transition. I show up in our schools to connect with and support staff, and I advocate for public education through Governmental Affairs while working directly with educators through Negotiations, bringing both leadership and real-world perspective to this role.

My top priorities are supporting our staff, including recruitment and retention, strengthening student success, and continuing to show up, listen, and lead. As we reimagine our strategic plan, I will help shape and advance the Portrait of a Learner and Portrait of an Educator to support student growth. Supporting educators and staying connected to our schools and community ensures we make thoughtful decisions that serve Fargo students and families well.

Looking ahead, key challenges include maintaining stable funding, navigating the potential impact of vouchers, and managing the transition to Infinite Campus, which may be clunky at first but will ultimately strengthen our systems. Our opportunity is to lead through innovation by improving staff satisfaction through the Vital Network, strengthening our staff through Grow Your Own, and continuing to explore and refine approaches to teaching and learning, including evidence-based reporting and personalized learning. By carrying out our values through the Portraits of a Learner, Leader, and Educator, we can move Fargo Public Schools forward.

This question is especially pertinent as we navigate a long-range facility plan, changes in property tax, and new policies related to TIFs and PILOTs. Too often, districts defer maintenance due to budget constraints, leading to greater costs over time. Our Board has taken steps to address past gaps and prevent future ones. Balancing these investments starts with prioritizing students while planning for long-term sustainability. We must align spending with our strategic plan, use data to guide decisions, and ensure transparency with our community to support strong programs and maintain safe, effective facilities.