A Conservative 'STEM' Cell Emerges In Race For Minnetonka School Board

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Four candidates thought to be running independently for seats on the Minnetonka School Board are now running together on an unofficial ticket based on social conservative values.

In a campaign previously marked largely by fiscal policy, the emergence of this conservative coalition—, Joe Torelli,  and —is galvanizing both supporters and opponents of the candidates. 

It began with an email, dated Oct. 5, supporting and naming the four as “great, conservative, pro-family candidates.” The email is signed by Anne Seeland, a special education paraprofessional with the Minnetonka School District. Recipients of the email, which has been widely circulated, are asked to remember the acronym “STEM”—the first letters of the four candidates’ last names. The email doesn't mention incumbents and or candidates and .

The email continues: “We have seen great things happen in recent months with the removal of the West Suburban Teen Clinic. Please remember, however, that this was a ‘point in time’ decision which could change at any other ‘point in time’ if we do not have strong, like-minded representatives on the school board. Let’s work together to see lasting change happen!”

That email refers to a successful effort last year by some parents in having school staff, rather than representatives from the clinic, teach sensitive topics at . The West Suburban Teen Clinic, with branches in Excelsior and Hopkins, remains open. 

Patch has received emails from concerned voters. One writes: “If there is social conservative platform it would be nice if the voters knew.” Advocates of STEM have campaigned door to door, some telling voters all they need to remember on Nov. 8 is “STEM.”

Derek Eitreim, the E in STEM, told Minnetonka Patch he isn't part of a collective effort to run for school board. He said when Seeland, who he regards as a friend, wrote the email, she was simply encouraging others to vote the way she was planning to. Eitreim said he wasn't sure how to answer the question of whether the STEM group originated from that email or in another manner.

Minnetonka Patch attempted to reach other candidates wrapped into STEM. None were immediately available or returned calls for comment.

“I don’t know if its fair to say it was a conscious effort,” Eitreim said of the coalition. “The fruit of it certainly came out of the email from Anne, for sure. You can talk to one person who says, ‘absolutely, this is a collaborative effort—it’s a clearly-coordinated exercise by the part of the school district to make sure that those four are elected.' There are others who would say, ‘You know, you are conspiracy theorists.’”

Eitreim acknowledged he and the other three STEM candidates lean conservative. After the first email circulated, he said, another one in response was filled with slander, particularly about him, focusing on such issues as sex education, creationism and open enrollment. People have stolen his campaign signs, he added.

“I didn’t decide who was or was not a part of the STEM thing. It’s basically a person out there who wrote ‘these are the four candidates I support,’” he said. “You could probably put the four first letters of the other four candidates and call that whatever it spells out.”