​High Plains Reader Voter Guide: Fargo Public Schools edition

By Bryce Vincent Haugen

In order for Fargo School District residents to become informed about the candidates and issues ahead of the June 9 election, the High Plains Reader has compiled a Voter Guide featuring six out of the seven candidates for School Board.

There are four incumbents (Melissa Burkland, Katie Christensen Mineer, Greg Clark and Robin Nelson) and three challengers (Jolene Garty, Carissa Geske and Paul Mohror) competing for five spots on the board. Board member Nyamal Dei decided against running for reelection. That means at least one newcomer will join the board. Board member Nikkie Gullickson — whose term doesn’t expire until 2028 — is running for city commission, but she said she plans to fulfill her school board term if elected to the commission.

All seven candidates have confirmed participation in the WDAY Radio and 1100 The Flag candidates’ debate. It is scheduled for May 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. — three weeks before Election Day.

Fargo Public Schools has approximately 11,400 students at 25 schools and faces a major budget crunch for the upcoming school year. The budget for the current year is more than $213 million, but spending is outpacing revenue. In an Inforum article, school leaders said they planned to eliminate about 56 full time equivalent positions, among other cuts, to save more than $5 million in the 2026-27 budget.

About 25 percent of FPS students are economically disadvantaged, according to the district website. The student body is 65 percent white, 15.5 percent Black, 3.9 percent Asian, 7 percent Latino and 2.7 percent Indigenous.

Melissa Burkland (incumbent)

A Fargo native, Melissa Burkland graduated from South High then received an English degree from the University of Nebraska and a J.D. from the University of North Dakota. She is prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and has two children who currently attend Fargo Public Schools. Burkland was first elected to the Fargo School Board in 2022. During her first term, she has served as president and currently chairs the Negotiations Committee.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Melissa Burkland: As an attorney I have excellent negotiating and listening skills and successfully led the board in negotiating the current teacher contract. I am also able to analyze complex information, consider differing viewpoints and make thoughtful decisions that positively impact the entire Fargo Public Schools community.

Additionally, I grew up in a family of public educators and public education has long been something I am very passionate about and strongly support. I will continue to advocate for all of our educators and students because a strong public education system positively transforms the entire community.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

MB: 1. Supporting our educators during fiscally challenging times. Our funds are not keeping up with rising costs and we need to be laser focused on supporting educators and protecting our resources.

2. Making sure our policies, long range planning and strategic plans are all geared towards positively impacting all students and helping them achieve.

3. Serving with authenticity and transparency and communicating clearly so all community members know how valuable and important public education is and are supportive of it.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools faces?

MB: The biggest challenge is fiscal. The board approved a deficit budget this year, and we’ve had to make difficult decisions to bring our spending in alignment with our resources. It will continue to present a challenge and it will be critical to have a board that responsibly marshals resources.

The biggest opportunity is our people. I have experienced the greatness of our students and educators personally, as a parent, and now as a board member and I can say without hesitation that our educators are unapparelled and our students are remarkable. They are our most valuable and important resource.

Katie Christensen Mineer (incumbent)

Katie Christensen Mineer began her professional career teaching middle school and high school Spanish. She later pursued a master’s degree in human development and family science from NDSU. In 2012, Christensen Mineer joined Planned Parenthood North Central States as an educator and later stepped into her current role as North Dakota State Director in that organization. She is also the proud parent of two Fargo Public Schools graduates. In 2022, she was elected to the Fargo Board of Education and currently serves as the board’s president.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Katie Christensen Mineer: As a former middle and high school teacher and current educator in my professional work, I understand the realities educators face. My graduate degree in human development and family science grounds my approach in evidence-based decision making and student well-being.

After two years on the board, I stepped into the role of president, leading a successful superintendent search and transition. I am committed to continuing this work, staying connected to our schools and helping move our district forward.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

KCM: My top three campaign priorities are supporting our staff, strengthening student success and continuing to show up, listen and lead.

Supporting staff means focusing on recruitment and retention so every school has strong, stable teams.

Strengthening student success means prioritizing a sense of belonging and ensuring education is relevant and personalized so all students can thrive.

And showing up means continuing to stay connected to our schools and community, just as I have throughout my time on the board, listening to those closest to the work and making informed, thoughtful decisions.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools face?

KCM: Fargo Public Schools faces challenges with stable funding and the potential impact of vouchers. At the same time, we have strong opportunities to move forward through innovation.

We can improve staff satisfaction through the Vital Network and strengthen recruitment through Grow Your Own. We can also continue refining teaching and learning by evaluating and strengthening evidence-based reporting and expanding personalized learning. As we continue the collaborative process of defining our shared values through the Portrait of a Graduate, Leader and Educator, we can stay grounded in those values, meet challenges head-on and continue building strong schools for our students and community.

Greg Clark (incumbent)

Greg Clark is an educator’s husband and a professional data analyst. He’s lived in the Fargo-Moorhead area nearly his entire adult life, and studied education policy while earning a master’s degree from Syracuse University. Clark was first elected to the Fargo School Board in 2022 and currently serves as Chair of the board’s Planning Committee and as Vice Chair of the Communications, Engagement, and Advocacy Committee.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Greg Clark: My personal life revolves around education. My wife is an elementary librarian. Many of my friends and neighbors are teachers. I love helping out at book fairs, attending school events and I currently serve on the FPS Foundation Board. I witness the daily triumphs and challenges happening in our schools.

Professionally, I’m a data analyst with a decade of experience across multiple industries including education, finance and healthcare. My experience working with complex finances is an asset at a time when budgets are shrinking and every tax dollar must be spent wisely.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

GC: First: Improving student attendance. Students cannot learn if they aren’t in school. Yet one in four Fargo students are absent more than 10 percent of the school year.

Second: Addressing teacher recruitment and retention. According to a 2024 survey of North Dakota teachers, only 40 percent say they plan to retire as teachers. This is a sign that teachers are overburdened, underpaid and they’re burning out.

Third: Revitalizing the school district’s Strategic Plan. It is essential that every dollar spent and every decision made is strategically focused on what’s best for our students, staff and community.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools faces?

GC: The biggest challenge we face is maintaining financial stability. I’m opposed to increasing the mill levy. We simply have to do more with less. As the school board’s Planning Committee Chairman, I spent the last year leading the district’s effort to reduce spending and bring the budget back into balance.

That said, I believe the budget represents an investment in our young people and Fargo’s future, so we can’t slash spending year after year. In order to invest in things that directly impact student achievement, we must rein in spending on less impactful things like runaway administrative and transportation costs.

Jolene Garty

Jolene Garty is a mom and community leader with more than 20 years of experience in education, nonprofit leadership, and public policy. She has worked alongside schools across North Dakota, supporting programs and building partnerships with educators and students. After serving as an executive at the South East Education Cooperative, she now owns a small consulting business focused on helping organizations work more effectively. Garty has served on the PTA at her kids' school and is a board member for a nonprofit youth sports organization.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Jolene Garty: I’m deeply invested in the success of Fargo Public Schools as both a mom and through my professional experience supporting school districts across North Dakota. In my work with a regional education association, I helped schools navigate funding, implement programs and focus on student outcomes.

I also have experience working within a Policy Governance framework, which the Fargo School Board uses, so I understand the Board’s role and responsibilities. My background has focused on removing barriers for educators and ensuring they have what they need to support students effectively.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

JG: My top three priorities are responsible stewardship of public resources, student-focused decision-making and reestablishing clear district priorities. I support passing a budget that lives within our means and uses resources thoughtfully. Every decision should be grounded in what’s best for students and supports learning in the classroom.

To do that well, the district needs clear priorities and a focused vision so staff and leadership can align their efforts. I bring experience in funding, planning and education systems to help ensure decisions are thoughtful, practical, and centered on student success.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools faces?

JG: One of the biggest challenges facing Fargo Public Schools is balancing increasing demands while maintaining clear priorities. With federal, state and local requirements, it’s easy for too many initiatives to compete for time and resources, making it harder for educators to focus on teaching and learning.

The opportunity is to get back to basics — clarifying priorities, supporting proven practices and aligning efforts across the district. When we are focused and intentional, we can improve student outcomes and use our resources more effectively. As a board member, I will help reestablish a clear direction in our strategic plan to guide the district going forward.

Paul Mohror

Paul Mohror grew up in Mahtomedi, just northeast of St. Paul, and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. After graduating, he served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force, earning the rank of captain. Mohror then spent 20 years in leadership roles in the civilian workforce. His wife of 34 years is a teacher, and he has two daughters who graduated from Fargo North.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Paul Mohror: My background prepares me well for school board service through both personal and professional experience. Being married to a teacher gives me firsthand insight into the challenges educators face and the importance of supporting them. My two daughters graduated from Fargo North, and my family partnered closely with teachers to ensure they received a strong education.

Professionally, I bring more than 30 years of leadership experience, including military service, where I learned to ask good questions, listen carefully, and adapt quickly to make thoughtful, effective decisions.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

PM: My top priority is students. Every decision should be grounded in one simple question: How does this help a student become proficient?

Second are teachers. They have the greatest impact on students after parents, and they deserve support so they can focus on the fundamentals of reading, writing and math.

Third are parents and taxpayers. Their voices are often overlooked. Parents are busy raising families and I want to be a steady, thoughtful voice that listens to them and represents their concerns.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools faces?

PM: Fargo Public Schools has a major opportunity to rebuild trust with parents through greater understanding and meaningful public engagement. Decisions should be made in the open, with clear explanations of how they benefit students. Academically, the district can move beyond being merely “choice ready” and focus on ensuring students are truly proficient and prepared to make real‑world decisions.

There is also an opportunity to bring clarity and accountability to the budget, particularly around deferred maintenance. The school board should be a visible, active advocate for families and taxpayers when they cannot be present themselves.

Robin Nelson (incumbent)

Robin Nelson is the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, which serves approximately 1,300 school-age youth daily. Since 2003, Nelson has also been a member of the Fargo School Board and currently serves as vice president. In addition to her leadership roles, Nelson serves on several local boards, including the North Dakota Afterschool Network, the South East Education Cooperative, the North Dakota School Boards Association Legislative Committee, and the Fargo Police Foundation. She resides in Fargo with her husband and enjoys spending time with their three children and two grandchildren.

HPR: How does your biography and background prepare you for the job of school board member?

Robin Nelson: With over 20 years on the Fargo Board of Education — including three terms as president and currently serving as vice president — I bring unmatched experience and proven results. As Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee, I’ve secured vital funding for education and blocked divisive legislation through bipartisan alliances.

For 14 plus years as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley, I’ve led high-impact out-of-school time programs serving 1,300 youth annually while expertly managing multi-million-dollar budgets from diverse sources. My advocacy isn’t just work — it’s the foundation of fighting for and delivering results for our kids.

HPR: What are your top three campaign issues?

RN: 1. Students: Every child deserves an excellent education. I will prioritize measurable learning outcomes, close achievement gaps, keep small class sizes, engage families, support all students with dignity and ensure every child feels they belong.

2. Educators: Teachers and staff are the heart of our schools. I will fight for competitive salaries, adequate resources, manageable workloads and mental health support so educators can thrive and inspire.

3. Community: A strong Fargo invests in its children. I bring proven fiscal discipline and an influential voice to maximize every dollar while respecting taxpayers — benefiting students, families and our entire community.

HPR: What are the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities Fargo Public Schools faces? 

RN: Key challenges include balancing ambitious goals with tight budgets and fiscal responsibility, addressing students’ emotional needs and barriers to learning, countering national rhetoric that unfairly criticizes public education and navigating divisive partisan debates.

Opportunities abound: Responsibly integrating AI into learning, boosting literacy and math proficiency, expanding mental health supports, strengthening family engagement and redesigning teacher recruitment and retention to attract and keep outstanding educators.

By keeping students at the center, we can transform these opportunities into real progress through practical, collaborative solutions that tackle challenges head-on.

Candidate Carissa Geske did not respond to several email requests for her to be a part of this Voter Guide.