Roy Neumann 
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I am 35, and a father in a blended family living in Foley. My wife, Cindy, and I have two boys and three girls. Two of Cindy's daughters have furthered their education and are advancing in their careers. Her third is finishing high school in Deer River and is doing well, preparing for her CNA certification and an eventual career as an RN. She is a great mother, going to school, working, and raising her wonderful six month-old son. She's also up for Homecoming Queen! Our two boys attend school in St. Cloud, where they live with their mother and stepfather. Both are bright, active, and artistic. They are active in the Foley community with friends and church. Our family belongs to the parish community of First Presbyterian Church in Foley. Cindy and I are both active volunteers both in the Foley community and with Deer River schools. Cindy is a paraprofessional working in the Foley Intermediate School with children with developmental and cognitive disabilities. I work as a clinical supervisor of a treatment program for boys in Onamia. We both love our jobs and are kids at heart.
What experience do you have that prepares you for public office?
I served, with my wife, on the Gilman Park and Recreation Committee for about three years. In that experience I learned much about the process of public service and began to see the effort people gave to maintain the activities that they felt to be so fundamental to the way of life in rural Benton County. For one year, I oversaw the youth softball program and got a taste of the compassion of people who all felt the league should be run a certain way. Throughout, I based my decisions on my values and worked to enforce the values of the community. I have also been involved in organizing youth softball in Palmer for many years. Professionally, I am part of a treatment program that provides services for youth in Minnesota and throughout the country. Helping to manage a multi-million dollar budget and maintaining political and professional relationships are just some of the functions of my position. My team members and I worked hard to gain public support of our new facility and, perhaps more importantly, continue to impress our good reputation and commitment to the people in our small community. As a clinical supervisor, I am in the position of making tough decisions that will upset some to the benefit of a greater goal. My decisions are guided by my company's guiding principles and core values that closely reflect my own. Beyond the professional and local organizational experience, I also pride myself on my many years of officiating slow pitch and girls' fast pitch softball around central Minnesota. As with anything I do, I have fun with it and enjoy it for the athletes playing; however, it's also a position wherein I constantly make 50% of the people happy and 50% of the people not so happy. In the end, it's all about maintaining good relationships with the coaches and players and showing respect for them and the game.
Why you decided to run for this office.
I am running because I want to be part of something that is positive and contributes to the greatest good for students and for the community. I am impressed that our School Board in Foley is made up of passionate yet open-minded folks who have the best interests of the tax payers in mind, while providing the best education for their children. I think Foley is a model district, and people from out of town have often told me how impressed they are with the school being a flagship for our community. I hear the negatives, too. And I want to help address the concerns I hear-most of them about taxes or how money is spent. I encourage people to never vote down a referendum, because it will always hurt the kids. Rather, I encourage them to use the power of their vote to affect change to the Board. Let your voice be heard that way. That's where I am today. I am not going to complain unless I want to be part of that change.
Top three issues you would tackle, if elected.
Firstly, I would like to develop a program of recognition and incentives for all school employees. I want people to feel appreciated for what they do, and to empower kids and staff to recognize each other. I know many Foley teachers and they absolutely love what they do. I want to make sure that they keep loving it, and to spread this energy to everyone in the facility. Secondly, I would like to be part of a frugal Board that spends money responsibly and responsively, meaning, I want to know what your priorities are, and focus on that. As a Board member, I should be receptive to the input of the parents, students, and staff whom I represent. I should not be in the position of telling you what you need. Budgetary prudence is the second issue I would want to be part of. I think tackle might be a strong word since I feel the current Board is doing a pretty good job of that. Lastly, I would want to be part of a team that seeks out creative ways to maintain fundamental services and increase opportunities for our kids without having to raise taxes. I'll be the first to tell you I don't have all the answers yet; but, together, I know the Foley School Board can do it. And I would like to be part of that effort.