Rod Franks
8694 Mary Jane Circle
Chanhassen, MN 55317
"Born and raised in Minneapolis.  I moved to Bloomington, Minnesota, with wife Robin, then to Chanhassen.  I have lived in District 112 for the past 12 years.
"As a licensed psychologist, I con-duct child custody and parenting time mediations and evaluations for the District Court.
"Robin and I have been married 16 years.  We have two great kids, Samantha, 9, and Spencer, 7.  Both attend Chanhas-sen Elementary School."
1) School size.  "What is fair, is for any student to have the opportunity to express themselves in co-curricular activities if they desire.  The competitive nature of athletes naturally limits student involvement; there are so many positions to play on a team, regardless of school size.
"I don't see a smaller school district as necessarily advantageous.  The size and growth of District 112 is an asset and a strength.  The board has determined that if high school enrollment is projected to ex-ceed 2,400 students, a second high school in District 112 should be constructed.  I firmly support construction of a second high school as enrollment dictates.
"If deconsolidation means splitting the district, I am very much opposed to it.  If managed well, the growing size of Dis-trict 112 becomes our strength, not a liability.  Splitting the district would mean duplication of services and unnecessary expense to the taxpayer."
2) Essential elements.  "To teach our children how to write, read, and compute so that upon graduation they possess the skills necessary to be contributing mem-bers to our community."
3) Concern for children.  "In my work I make decisions on a daily basis that have significant effects on the lives of children and their families.  Children are not raised in a vacuum.  They are part of a family and community.  The needs of all involved must be considered along with the needs of any individual child when the board makes decisions."
4) Truth.  "Truth is often found in the most unexpected places.  For me it's not where I go to find truth, but am I open to seeing and accepting the truth in all the places that it can be found."
5) Superintendent's salary.  "The District 112 superintendent receives a total compensation package of $143,502/year.  This includes bonus pay of $5,260 and a vehicle allowance of $7,800.  Burnsville, Eden Prairie, Minne-tonka, Edina, Wayzata, Hopkins, and Orono all have higher total compensations for their superintendents.  Lakeville super-intendent is lower, receiving $139,200.
"Based on the compensation to super-intendents in surrounding districts of com-parable size, District 112 is on the lower end and we should try to keep it there."

Carlos Gallego
110114 Friendship Lane N.
Chaska, MN 55318
"I was born in Minneapolis and raised in Grand Fords, ND.  I received a Bachelor of Education from the Universi-ty of ND and a Master of Education from the University of MN.   I am a former teacher and still maintain a current teaching license.
"I am a Carver County Diversity Specialist.  Prior to this, I was an educator for the Carver County Extension Service.
"Wife, Jeunge, and children Elena,3, Julian, 6, and Camilo, 9."
1) School size.  "School size should not necessarily affect the opportunity for the average student athlete to participate in the sport of their choosing.  In addition to varsity sports, students have a variety of other options to compete in extra curri-cular events including intramural oppor-tunities, theater companies, and dance schools  There are definite advantages to small and medium-sized schools.  I would be opposed to high schools as large as Eden Prairie.  When schools get too large, students run the risk of just being num-bers.
"The current district has set the maxi-mum number of students in the high school at 2,400.  I favor this threshold.  However, as we grow and it is apparent that size is creating issues, we should be willing to lower that threshold."
2) Essential elements.  "Our school must prepare our kids to live in today's world as active and informed and produc-tive members of our society.  In addition to the essential educational foundations, the school must teach to be good citizens, to have good moral fiber, to be honest and trustworthy, and have a thirst to become lifelong learners.  Our school must teach that in addition to living in Carver Coun-ty, students must have an understanding of how the state, nation, and world are all interrelated."
3) Concern for children.  "Schools need to prepare our students to be produc-tive and educated citizens, to make sure it gives them the skills necessary to go on to university or trade school, or enter the workforce immediately after high school.  In addition to the three R's, we must ensure we are giving them lifelong skills such as family financial management. 
"I also want schools to help make ed-ucated decisions and partner with parents in teaching the ill effects of negative risk behaviors such as early sexual activity, gang involvement, or drug and alcohol use."
4) Truth.  "Around school issues it means gathering the facts.  I also try to get as many perspectives as possible. Often the truth can be subjective.  It is important to look not only at the point of view of the school district but that of the learner, their family, and the community as well.  My search for truth involves interviewing and surveying as many people as I can in or-der to understand their perspectives."
5) Superintendent's salary.  "Dr. Stofferahn makes $135,987 and has a $9,000 car allowance.  The salary is aver-age for what Lake Conference superinten-dents make.  You pay for what you get.  If you want quality, you must pay the mar-ket rate."

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