By Frances Wittenberg | Candidate for ISD 709 School Board - District 1
I am running because I see a
growing imbalance in how district resources are allocated. Too much funding is
directed toward administrative costs, while too little reaches our classrooms
to support teachers and students directly. According to recent data from the
U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, an
estimated 88% of district spending goes toward administration, compared to
about 9% for teachers and 8% for students.
Even before 2020, increases in
per-pupil funding have not translated into stronger academic results.
Proficiency scores in reading and math remain at all-time lows, and achievement
gaps continue to widen.
Together, we can change this. We
can build schools that uplift our children, empower our educators, and
strengthen our community—both socially and economically. As a mother of three,
a veteran, and a community leader, I bring both passion and experience to serve
as the next ISD 709 School Board District 1 representative.
My journey has given me both personal and professional
insight into the challenges and opportunities our schools face. Throughout my
21 years of military service and my involvement with the City of Duluth as a
former Human Rights Commissioner, I have built a solid foundation in
leadership, organizational development, and education—through both service and
study. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Health Systems and an Associate in
Business Administration and Management.
These experiences guide my priorities as a candidate. I
am committed to the following:
1. Academic Achievement
We must refocus our resources to ensure every student is prepared for a future
full of opportunity. One of my top priorities is to increase student
proficiency in math, reading, and science. To achieve this, we must authorize
and provide access to age-appropriate books and curriculum that empower
teachers with the tools they need to improve student outcomes. Strong early
literacy programs, robust STEM initiatives, music and arts education, and
clearly defined career pathways should work together to help students build
both knowledge and confidence in their learning. Our children deserve not only
the chance to dream big — but also the skills to make those dreams a reality.
2. School Safety
School safety must be non-negotiable. Every child deserves to feel safe,
supported, and respected from the moment they step onto school grounds. This
requires resiliency training, comprehensive emergency preparedness, and
fostering a positive school culture that actively prevents bullying and
violence. Safety cannot remain a policy written on paper — it must be a lived
commitment, supported by accountability at every level.
3. Transparency and Community Engagement
We must strengthen trust through transparency and collaboration. Parents,
guardians, educators, and community members deserve to understand how decisions
are made — and to have a voice in shaping them. This includes open
communication about district spending, curriculum choices, and policies that
directly impact classrooms.
We have a real opportunity to improve student learning. Although
there are challenges posed by unfunded state mandates and external political
influences on education, I am committed to ensuring we do not lose focus on the
needs of students and educators — the people at the heart of our schools — to
achieve successful outcomes.
On November 4, I would be honored to represent ISD
709 District 1, which includes Duluth City Precincts: 1-5, 7, City of
Rice Lake and four townships (including unorganized precincts #2 and #23); Gnesen,
Lakewood, Normanna, and North Star. Public education is a shared investment,
and it functions best when we work in partnership — listening, learning, and
leading together.
