Jim Siewert

Why are you running for office? I have served on Lake City’s school board the last 3.5 years. I want nothing more for our students to get the best education as possible and preparing them with life skills. My career had been built around continuous improvement, mentoring, problem solving and build-outs of strategic planning. Skills I feel that can assist in building a stronger school district.

What experiences have prepared you to serve effectively in this role?

My career has fully embraced Operational Excellence which is about developing a culture of continuous improvement, financial stability, teamwork, mentorship and collaboration. Skills that fit a role such as a school board member perfectly. I am not afraid, and do ask tough questions, including challenging policies, processes and financial decisions, to engage my fellow team members to identify collective solutions to improve. Being a practitioner of Servant Leadership is extremely important to me also.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

First, to continue to ensure our students get the best education and to prepare them with life skills. Secondly, focus on the retention of our educators and the rest of our ISD 813 team. We are blessed and we have to be competitive with pay, and recognize them all for their commitment to our students. Lastly, we have to understand the power, but also the challenges and unknowns that AI is bringing to the classrooms - and how we can utilize it effectively but still ensure creative thinking is a life skill our students possess.

How do plan to address your top priorities?

Continue to educate myself on the exact same topics, while always have an open mind. Completing VOC’s (Voice of the Customer) discussions with our faculty and students is key too! What do they see, want, recommend.

What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing the people you hope to represent?

Declining enrollment is a big concern. We have to be proactive fiscally first and foremost, while also identifying solutions to promote our district. Affordable housing is a big challenge in Lake City and a big part of the equation. I am engaged with the Port Authority with questions on what our city can, and is willing to do to help support more affordable housing in our community.

Public service requires collaboration. How would you work with individuals who hold different viewpoints?

Problem Solving is a skill that not only do I preach, but also teach. One of my passions is bringing people together to brainstorm and develop solutions. Utilizing multiple views or ideas can bring the best solutions forward if done properly. It takes work - but what I find is almost everyone has the right reason behind their viewpoint - which is to improve something. We are halfway there because of that.

How will you communicate with and remain accessible to your constituents? 

When I first ran 3.5 years ago, one of my main talking points was that I will ALWAYS respond to emails, take phone calls, meet to discuss topics, on and on. I did just that and will continue. I am always here for my constituents, students and school employees.

At the end of your term, what accomplishments would define success?

As I mentioned earlier, to hand out diplomas at the Spring Commencement and see the smiles on our students faces. It is awesome and inspiring!

Tell voters something about yourself outside of politics.

I am a passionate volunteer in our community. From being on multiple boards to running fundraising events, I love to give back. My wife and I are also extremely involved with the outdoors.