Robbinsdale Area Schools, Independent School District 281, is governed by a seven member School Board. Each member is elected at large to four-year terms. Board members are elected in even-numbered years, taking their seats in January.
The Board is responsible for developing policy to ensure proper care, management and control of district affairs, supporting the Unified District Vision and Equity Policy. The Board’s job is to represent, lead and serve the school district community and to govern the organization by establishing expectations for student achievement and quality operational performance, and by monitoring actual performance against those expectations. Board members also serve appointments on numerous district-wide councils and committees, and state organizations.
The Robbinsdale Area Schools Board appreciates and values the public's input. Contact information for the current board members and superintendent, who serves as an ex-officio member of the board, is included below.
Send your joys and concerns to the group email address at school_board@rdale.org. All Board members will receive your correspondence; the Board Chair responds to emails on behalf of the Board.
(Term: January 2023-December 2026)
763-504-7992
renae_bowman@rdale.org
(Term: January 2023-December 2026)
763-504-7994
kim_holmes@rdale.org
(Term: January 2021-December 2024)
763-504-7995
john_vento@rdale.org
The Robbinsdale Area Schools Board meetings are typically held the first and third Monday of each month (except when the calendar does not permit) at the Education Service Center (4148 Winnetka Avenue North, New Hope, MN, third floor boardroom).
School Board Work Sessions are scheduled to follow the first school board meeting of the month. School Board Work Sessions typically start ten minutes after the adjournment of the preceding School Board Business Meeting.
Agendas are typically posted three days before each meeting. All Board meetings are open to the public, unless otherwise specified.
The public is welcome to attend School Board meetings, work sessions and public hearings. Members of the public may participate in regular School Board meetings in the following ways:
1. Watch video of past School Board meetings and read minutes. The public may stream video online of past meetings and read meeting minutes.
2. Addressing agenda items or issues not on the agenda. The public may attend the Listening Session held before the second business meeting of each month. The public is asked to complete the Listening Time Form , following the updated procedure.
Your input is welcomed and valued even more during this unprecedented time. The School Board Listening Time protocol has been adjusted to the following:
Questions? Send an email to Molly Olson, Executive Assistant to the School Board and Superintendent, at Molly_Olson@rdale.org.
School Board Meeting Webcasts
The School Board election for Robbinsdale Area Schools will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Three of the seven at-large positions on the School Board will be up for election (four-year terms).
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the period for filing Affidavits of Candidacy for the office of School Board member of Independent School District No. 281 shall begin on July 30, 2024, and shall close at 5 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2024.
The general election shall be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. At that election, three (3) members will be elected to the School Board for terms of four (4) years each.
Affidavits of Candidacy are available from the School District Clerk, Independent School District No. 281, 4148 Winnetka Ave N., New Hope, MN 55427. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The filing fee for this office is $2. A candidate for this office must be an eligible voter, must be 21 years of age or more on assuming office, must have been a resident of the School District from which the candidate seeks election for thirty (30) days before the general election, and must have no other affidavit on file for any other office at the same primary or general election.
The Affidavits of Candidacy must be filed in the office of the School District Clerk and the filing fee paid prior to 5 p.m. on Aug. 13, 2024.
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 211A governs the campaign finance laws related to local government candidates and committees. Reporting obligations are based upon the amount spent or received in one calendar year. Refer to the Secretary of State’s Campaign Finance Filings page for additional information.
Reporting Type 1: The campaign did not collect or spend $750 in a calendar year
If the campaign has NOT collected or spent more than $750 in a calendar year, the campaign treasurer's reporting obligation is as follows:
Reporting Type 2: The campaign did collect or spend $750 in a calendar year
Once the campaign reaches a threshold of spending or receiving $750 in a calendar year, the campaign treasurer's reporting obligation is as follows:
Click here for the Secretary of State's sample Campaign Finance Report form that may be used for filing. All filings must include all information required by Minnesota Statutes 211A.02, subd.2.