Ellie Krug for District 112 School Board

Dear Friends, Supporters, and Families of Eastern Carver County Schools (ECCS):

In November 2022, I was elected as a director to the ECCS school board. My intent at that time was to serve only one term. However, in the intervening four years—particularly given the current social, political and financial challenges facing school districts across the country—I became open to running for a second term.

Last week, I filed for reelection to the ECCS school board. Soon, I will be out door knocking to get the word out. I’ll do my best to earn your vote again—I am not taking anything for granted!

You rightfully may wonder what I’ve accomplished these past four years. Here’s a quick and very brief summary:

• From the start, I emphasized tackling the achievement gap between white students and students of color/from economically and socially marginalized communities. (The achievement gap exists not only at ECCS, but also at just about every other school district in America.) Within my first year, District administrators began regularly reporting on efforts to close the gap. This included the district launching a wonderful initiative to increase student attendance (if you’re not in class, you can’t learn). As one of my fellow board members remarked (paraphrasing), “Ellie, we’ve talked more about the achievement gap this past year than in all of the previous several years that I’ve served on this board.”
• With wonderful effort by our Superintendent, Dr. Rathke, and her hard-working team of education professionals, we’ve been able to increase student test scores and raise the District’s graduation rate. I have supported and applauded these efforts wholeheartedly!
• To increase school board transparency, I recently proposed fully recording the board’s work sessions that occur at District schools. (For years, the board’s regular meetings, held at the District’s headquarters, have been fully recorded.) My proposal was the subject of intense debate, and ultimately the Board voted to audio-record work sessions.
• At my urging, the school board earlier this year voted to increase director compensation. (Yes, in a post about my hoped-for reelection, I’m talking about how we gave ourselves a pay raise…) For apparently at least a dozen years, board compensation had not increased beyond $4000/yr. In March, the board voted to increase director compensation to $5500/yr., and to $6000/yr. for the board president. With an annual school district budget of nearly $160 million, the increase amounts to an added annual expense of just $11,000. Even at $5500, our compensation is still below the average for metro school districts (for example, Minneapolis school board members earn $20,000/yr).
• I have been a vocal advocate for students, educators and families from marginalized communities. In a time when it has become far more common for many to focus on our few differences instead of our many commonalities, I have been steadfast in speaking up to support those who often lack voices or visibility at the table.

I am more than happy to meet with anyone to talk about my record or anything relating to ECCS. We have a wonderful team of educators, administrators, and leaders, along with fantastic students and their families, and I’m proud to have served these past four years. With your help, I will be back to continue my service in 2027 and beyond!

Thank you!

ellie

7.27.26