Minnetonka School Board Candidate: Kevin Maire

Editor's note: This week we feature the eight candidates running for four seats on the Minnetonka School Board. We will publish two candidates per day for four days. You can meet and grill all the candidates at our  event at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at the .

KEVIN MAIRE

Minnetonka Patch: What qualifications do you have that will make you an effective Minnetonka school board member?

Maire: I am an involved parent and longtime resident of Minnetonka. My wife Angie and I specifically purchased a home here because we wanted our children to have an excellent education experience. As an information technology executive I strongly rely on my decision analysis skills and ability to think critically about solutions, as well as managing a large spending budget. I also have served on church and non-profit boards that have worked through many difficult financial situations.  I have a strong desire to serve our community by being an independent voice on the Minnetonka school board. 

Patch: What is the biggest issue for Minnetonka's school district? Why?

Maire: The biggest issue we are likely to face in the next four years is managing the budget amidst a challenging financial climate. The funding model for public education in Minnesota continues to evolve, and we need to insure we are transparent, effective and responsible for each and every dollar of tax-payer monies we spend. 

Patch: What is current Minnetonka School District leadership doing well? What could be better?  

Maire: I know our children are receiving a well-balanced and effective education– one that is preparing them for their next steps of the education process. In terms of things that could be better, I believe there is always room for growth and improvement when it comes to communication. It is very important that the lines of communication be open between the school district and the parent community and community at large; it is an area in which all organizations can continually improve. I also feel we cannot be everything to everybody, but we should strive for excellence in everything we do.

Patch: How will you get input from your constituents?

Maire: I would make myself available through town hall style meetings, personal meetings and anything else we can do to increase parent and community participation on a regular basis. Feedback is critical, and I encourage our parents and community to share their ideas, both positive and constructive. 

Patch: Give us a brief background of yourself.

Maire: I was born and raised in Wisconsin and come from a large family including 11 children. I graduated from North Central University in 1988 and began working in the rapidly-growing technology field. We have two children– Emily, who is a 2011 MHS graduate and currently attends Winona State University, studying Music Education as a violinist; and Elliot, who is a junior at MHS.

I also served in the United States Army National Guard. I’ve served on multiple church boards over the years, and am currently on the executive board of Inner City Christian Ministries in Minneapolis. For the past 15 years I’ve worked for Norwest Equity Partners, a private investment firm, and am currently the Director of Information Technology.