3.  How has public education succeeded?  Nationally, we have succeed-ed in providing a respectable education to the majority of students.  Locally I've been impressed with District #112's commitment to expose all students to higher level thinking skills that get them beyond just memorizing the facts to being analytical, creative thinkers.
4.  How has public education failed? Public education has been constrained by inadequate budgets and an acceptance of mediocrity from the public.  We have often left out those students with special needs.  Our educators struggle to do more with less, less public support and money.  Public education is one of this country's greatest resources.  We will be squander-ing a wonderful gift if we don't raise our expectations and provide the support and resources, human and monetary, necessary to reach them.
5.  How do the Ten Commandments relate to values in the classrooms of Dis-trict #112?  Students and staff should follow the guiding principles of their own beliefs that instruct them on how to treat other people, live decently, and develop their gifts.  The community values adopt-ed by the district and our communities are values that people of all faiths can embrace.
6.  Why should a District #112 ele-mentary school be located in the City of Victoria?  It is most likely that when the need arises for another elementary build-ing in our district which, given rapid growth will be fairly soon, several factors will make Victoria the most logical site.  Student population in Victoria will sup-port a building.  Higher transportation costs due to increased fuel prices will make it even more important to bus students shorter distances.  The district has already purchased land in Victoria.  I believe the majority of district residents feel Victoria should have an elementary.

Michele Helgen 952-448-4833
2865 Timberview Trail, Chaska, MN 55318
Lived in Chaska since 1972; gradu-ated from Chaska High School.  Married to Henry Helgen; 3 children.  B.A. from College of St. Catherine; MBA from U. of St. Thomas.  Work part time as public affairs consultant and treasurer for North State Advisers, a governmental consulting firm in Minneapolis.
Weekly volunteer in my children's classroom; chaired and served on district-wide committees; chaired Legislative Action Committee for past 8 years; co-chaired successful '99 District #112 refer-enda campaign. 
Served on City of Chaska's long term planning task force; president of my daughter's Figure Skating Club; volunteer for son's soccer activities.
Received "You Make a Difference" Award 5 times; Crystal Achievement Award for work in education; appointed to finish unexpired school board term in July, 2001.
1.  The goals:  to provide a learning environment that enables students to reach their highest potential, to provide a quality of education to every student through the most cost efficient means, to attract and retain high quality teachers and staff, to develop a system based on ethics and community values, to ensure major school decisions are handled openly and fairly, to value diversity, to provide a safe learning environment.
2.  The fluff:  Years ago there may have been "fluff," but with the tight budgets of recent years, I certainly have not seen any excess in District #112 schools.  State funding has not kept pace with inflation for over 10 years, and I'm amazed how teachers and staff make do so students are not hurt by scarce resources.
3.  How has public education succeeded?  By responding well with limited resources.  Our schools are filled with dedicated teachers, backed by sup-portive communities.  Each year a new generation of graduates emerges reason-ably well equipped to take the next step in their lives.  It's a cause for celebration.
4.  How has public education failed? It fails when the focus becomes blurred and it loses sight of fundamental objec-tives, when policy becomes scrutinized in funding decisions and other matters, when we lower objectives, goals, and expecta-tions, when we leave kids behind.
5.  How do the Ten Commandments relate to values in the classrooms of Dis-trict #112?  They provide codes of beha-vior; schools tend to reflect these societal values.  District #112 has a strong empha-sis on community values.
6.  Why should a District #112 ele-mentary school be located in the City of Victoria?  Schools are a community resource which every community, includ-ing Victoria, should have the benefit of enjoying.  A Victoria school would be closer to most homes, eliminating some of the longer bus commutes.  However, the more important reasons for a community school is that it provides a community focus, a gathering place, a visible re-source.  It is important that all district communities feel they are treated equally by the board.  The district is now large enough that Victoria should share in this community resource.

Cole D. Kelly  952-368-2833
1556 Bluebill Trail, Chanhassen, MN 5317
Born in St. Paul, MN, fifth of seven children known as the 7 C's, as all our first names start with a "C."  When 14 my family moved to Sunfish Lake Township, now a small town surrounded by West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, and Mendota Heights.
St. Mark's grade school in St. Paul.  High school at St. Thomas Academy in Mendota Heights.  B.S. in Business Administration at Creighton University. 
Married Teri Dauwalter of Carver.  Children Tina, 8^th grade at Chaska Middle School; Sadie, 5^th grade at Chanhassen Elementary; Kieran, 2^nd grade, at Chan-hassen Elementary.  Lived in this area for 8 years.
Worked 21 years in the Financial Services Industry.  Currently in the middle of change to financial advisor/consultant.  Involved with Chanhassen Athletic Asso-ciation, coaching soccer and basketball, field coordinator, liaison to City of Chan-hassen, president-elect for CAA board, Fields Task Force Referendum Commit-tee, past commodore and current board member for Gulf Lake Yacht Club, past board member of St. Thomas Academy Alumni Association. 
1.  The goals:  To provide the oppor-tunity to children of the United States to a learning experience in an atmosphere that is conducive to the highest possible achievement.  Click here to continue.