Cindy Harner
Cindy Harner's website

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I am a mom to three children in the 742 School District.  My children range in ages from 6 - 12 and grades from 1 - 6.  I have been very involved in the schools since they entered and am currently serving on the Madison PTA as co-chair, and was a member of the Chinese/Spanish Immersion Advisory Board.  I also serve on the District 742 levy committee and the District 742 advisory board writing the Improvement plan as directed by NCLB.

After my second  child was born, I became a stay at home mom and recently re-entered the workforce as an employee at St. Cloud State University and more recently as an employee of the Big River Group - a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning and human resource issues.  

What experience do you have that prepares you for public office?
I am extremely involved in St. Cloud's core communities and was a founding member of the Northside Hester Park Neighborhood Association and serve on the board of the St. Cloud Neighborhood Coalition.  As core neighborhoods, we value the importance of having excellent schools in our neighborhoods to attract and retain families and maintain (or hopefully, increase) property values.

Prior to my current employment in communications and marketing, I had 10+ years in the banking field.  I worked in various positions ranging from personal and business banking to management.  I wore many hats in these positions including human resources, training, and customer relations.  I taught and encouraged fiscal responsibility and budget management.  The skills I learned in these positions as well as the skills I have learned in my current positions in communications, marketing, and strategic planning will serve me (us) well as a member of the school board.

Why did you decide to run for this office?
As my web site explains, a lot of people run for office because they have a personal agenda or an ax to grind.  I have neither.  In the past few years, I believe the school board has been extremely effective in communicating with the members of the community, hiring excellent administrators, reducing costs, and remaining extremely efficient.  

I am dedicated to maintaining these improvements and increasing transparencies within the school district.

I am also extremely involved in St. Cloud's core communities and was a founding member of the Northside Hester Park Neighborhood Association and serve on the board of the St. Cloud Neighborhood Coalition.  As core neighborhoods, we value the importance of having excellent schools in our neighborhoods to attract and retain families and maintain (or hopefully, increase) property values.

What are the top three issues you would tackle, if elected?
Funding - although I currently serve on the levy committee, I am extremely concerned about the unfunded mandates from the state.  I will continue the work of the current school board to work with the legislature to increase school funding as mandated.

Community involvement - the current school board has made great strides to involve and communicate with the community.  I would like to see this progress continue, and even follow the mayor's example of having weekly or, at the very least, monthly roundtable discussions with community members to discuss changes, improvements, ideas, and information.

Efficiencies - Even though the current school board and adminstration have worked through huge budget cuts in the past years, there is always room to run more efficiently.  I will contiune to look for increased efficiencies within the school system.