Candidate Profile: Betsy Scheurer Anderson

There are seven candidates for three Hopkins School Board positions up for election this year. This feature looks at challenger Betsy Scheurer Anderson.

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What previous political experience do you have (including other governmental positions you’ve held, whether elected, appointed or volunteer)?

I’ve served two terms on the Hopkins School Board, first elected in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. 

What other relevant experience do you have?

• Co-Chair, Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition
• Board of Directors, Minnesota School Boards Association
• Board of Directors, Association of Metropolitan School Districts
• Board of Trustees, Minnesota School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus
• Student Scholarship Committee, Minnesota School Boards Association
• Founder, Hopkins Alumni Association
• Selection Panel Member, Minnesota Teacher of the Year Committee
• Alumni Committee Co-Chair, Hopkins Education Foundation
• President, Golden Valley Rotary Club

What is your occupation?

Program Manager, non-profit Tix for Tots, Inc.

Where did you go to school? 

Proud Hopkins High School grad, class of ’97, Luther College grad, class of ‘01

How old are you (optional)? 34 years old

Do you have a spouse, children or any other family members you’d like to tell voters about? 

My husband of two years, Jeff, and I live in Golden Valley.  My parents, Steve & Nancy Mark, live in Minnetonka.  Both of my siblings are also Hopkins graduates: Sam Mark ’04, Mary Mark ‘07

What are your campaign goals?

In every School Board election, we have the wonderful opportunity to engage in conversations about issues that are important to our community.  My campaign goals include highlighting those issues and building support for the work of Hopkins Public Schools.  I also hope to energize our citizens to support the two levy questions on the ballot.

What issues are you most focused on?

As a Board member, we need to be well versed in issues ranging from budget to enrollment, from labor negotiations to test scores.  For the majority of my second term on the School Board, my focus has been on advocating for education and for children, both in our District and across Minnesota.  I believe that is one of our most meaningful roles on the Board.  We are given the responsibility and the platform to highlight the enduring role of public education in our society. 

Why should voters choose you?

I was elected to the Hopkins School Board eight years ago.  At that time, the district was facing several major challenges: budget deficit, school closure, redrawing elementary boundary lines, etc.  Those challenges required strong leadership, creativity, and hard work.  I am so proud to have been part of that Board that faced those challenges head on, making the right decisions at the right time, and bringing our district back to a place of strength so that we could once again focus on what’s most important: our kids.

Our District has seen many successes over the past eight years; we’ve come so far in a relatively short period of time.  But just because we’ve come so far doesn’t mean the road ahead will be easy.  There continue to be challenges; our work goes on every day.  I am passionate about continuing that work.  I can provide the leadership, dedication, and experience our District needs. 

I humbly ask for your vote on November 5th so that I may continue my work with the Hopkins School Board advocating for kids, advocating for education, and bringing us together as a community.  Thank you!