Candidate Name: Jason Appel
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: Fulda School District #505 School Board. I am a Fulda graduate and I would like to continue working to keep the Fulda Schools strong so my three children can become Fulda graduates also.
Experience for office sought: I am currently a Fulda School Board member holding the clerk position. We have two long term school board members retiring from their positions at the end of the year. I feel my experience on the board would be helpful for the school and the community.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them: I have three wonderful boys – Caleb, Aiden and Kole who will all be attending Fulda Elementary School.
Candidate Name: Doug Clarke
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: It’s all about the kids! As a lifetime resident of Fulda, I have gained a great deal from this community and school system. It is my turn to give back and ensure that students have great educational opportunities, just like I had as a former Fulda HS graduate. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal and Plant Systems from the University of Minnesota. In my professional role, I am an Agronomist and work on a daily basis with farmers. My love for agriculture has connected me with many community members and has given me an understanding of community views about the school. My connections with many residents from my active involvement in St. Gabriel’s church, Golf League, and supporting local businesses give me an adequate understanding of the community. I will represent all community members and will encourage people to share their satisfactions and areas they see for improvement within the school.
Experience for office sought: I am currently serving in several leadership roles throughout the community and want to contribute as a school board member. My family and I are active members of St. Gabriel’s Catholic church. I am a member of the Cemetery board and am a Minister of Hospitality. I am passionate about helping young people and have served as a club leader for Graham Lake Braves 4-H club. I have been a livestock superintendent, 4-H Federation member, and State Fair Chaperone. These experiences have sparked my desire to contribute to the school board, in hopes of ensuring students in Fulda continue to have opportunities for an exceptional education.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them. My wife, Katie and I, have been married for 16 years. We live on an acreage south of Fulda. We have two daughters, Molly (13) and Mara (7). Molly is a seventh grader and Mara is a second grader in Fulda Schools. Having children in both school buildings will provide an opportunity for me to understand the school district at both the elementary and secondary level. A parent’s perspective is essential! Molly is in cross country and hopes to participate in Speech and Track. Her involvement in extra-curricular activities will also provide insights into the Sports and extra activities offered by the school.
Candidate Name: Adam Hart
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: I am seeking a seat on the school board for the Fulda School District. I see the opportunity to be on the board as a great way to serve the community and give back to the town and school that I grew up in. Like all parents, I want the children in the community to have the same opportunities I did and more. The school board is not just about the kids though, I think the entire community has a stake in the school and should be as involved as possible.
Experience for office sought: For 15 years I worked in sales and marketing for John Deere. I have recently returned to Fulda to farm full-time. I was successful in my job because I learned how to build relationships and achieve the goals of customers by listening to them and making fact based decisions that supported their interests. Integrity and transparency were paramount to earning and maintaining customer trust. I believe that success in our schools and communities are achieved the same way. The school belongs to the community, and the community is infinitely more successful with a strong school in it. As long as decisions are made based on the facts and we listen, we will continue to have an elite school in Fulda.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them: My wife, Jen, and I moved back to Fulda in October of 2016 with our two children Ellie (5) and Evan (2). I grew up in Fulda, and before moving back here, we lived in Des Moines, Iowa and Bettendorf, Iowa for 7 years. One of the big reasons we moved back was to give our kids the opportunity to grow up in a small town and feel the sense of community here. We are grateful to all who have welcomed us into your community so graciously. Thank you!
Candidate Name: Lucas Isder.
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: I am running for School Board District 505. As a kid, I watched my father spend hours of his family time studying and reading school board agendas and material. He eventually signed all three of his children’s diplomas. Watching my father doesn’t qualify me to be a board member but, it does give me a healthy understanding of what kind of sacrifice it takes to be an effective board member. I started attending board meetings a month ago and will continue to attend them so that I can step onto this board ready to move forward. The youth in the school are what matters most. Without a school; our community fails. Without community, our school fails. We have to invest in what matters; our families, our school, our communities, and the teachers that make it all work.
Experience for office sought: I have spent the last 9 years of my life as a deputy, 8 years married to my wife Rachel, 5 years being a parent, 3 years on a church board. That’s a short resume, but all of these things have taught me to be a team player. I am excited to build bridges between the school and the community. I am excited to do what’s best for the youth in our community. I am excited to help guide the next generation through education.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them. I feel blessed to have 2 boys, Grant 5 years and Micah 2 years, Grant is attending his first year of kindergarten in Fulda this year. Rachel is the woman of my life, she makes me whole. Rachel is a Public Health Nurse and most recently accepted the job as the Fulda School Nurse, she is also coaching volleyball. I am fortunate to have her by my side and supporting me in my decision to be a member of the school board.
Candidate Name: Phil Kramer
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: School Board member – I believe I am the most qualified candidate because of my time already served on the board. I have also gained a lot of experience over the years negotiating teacher and administrator contracts.
Experience for office sought: I am currently the vice-chairman of the Fulda School Board and have been on the school board since July 2012.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them. Wife – Brittney of 12 years; we have five children all of which attend Fulda Public Schools: Dylan – 13; Jackson – 11; Madilyn – 8; Ruby – 4; and Millie – 3.
Candidate Name: Brittany Perish
Please state what position you are vying for and why you feel you are qualified: I have filed to become a member of Fulda’s School Board. I received an excellent education as a Fulda student, and I want to ensure that our youth and community members have continued access to valuable educational experiences. As a potential school board member, I would like our district to continue to create opportunities for our youth to excel in Academics, Arts, and Athletics. I understand the importance of leading our school responsibly and with integrity, and I would welcome the opportunity to do so.
Experience for office sought: This is my first time filing for school board. I am a 2006 graduate of Fulda High School, and a 2010 graduate of St. Cloud State University where I earned a degree in Social Work. I am currently employed at Maple Lawn Senior Care as the Housing Manager for Maplewood Court Assisted Living and Mapleview Estates Senior Living. I also serve on the Murray County Transit Advisory Committee.
Please talk about your family, if you so choose to list them. I am married to Brett Perish and we have two children. Our daughter, Lincoln, is 3 years old, and our son, Theodore, is 1 1/2 years old.
