SAMANTHA BOUSHEK

Parents, students, and the community deserve schools that are safe, transparent, and led by elected leaders who work for the families they serve.

I’m running for school board because families deserve clear communication, students deserve strong academics, and our district needs leadership that keeps schools focused on education while respecting that parents guide their children’s values and upbringing.

As a veteran, parent, and professional working in civil rights and conflict management, I have carried out and understand the importance of integrity, fairness, and consistent, accountable decision-making. My desire is to serve as a member of the school board while exercising and using these embedded traits and experiences.

I am committed to transparency, strong academics, and ensuring schools educate - while parents lead.

 I’m running to protect our children, our families, and our community.

Mandates are being handed down, expectations are shifting, and parents are being left out of conversations they should be leading. With our state more focused on a political party or side, we are only guiding our children to do the same. It is time to stop the guided mindsets and teach without political influence. 

How did we get here? This is NOT the voice of our families.

I’ve seen it firsthand - lack of transparency, information kept from parents, and curriculum that isn’t clearly communicated. This is unacceptable. These are OUR children. There is NO room for hidden agendas or unclear expectations.

Schools have a job - to EDUCATE. Parents don’t just have a role, they carry the responsibility of RAISING their children. That line matters!

I’m stepping forward to bring clarity, accountability, and a voice back to the families of this district - because our schools work with families, not around them!

TRANSPARENCY & COMMUNICATION

Clear policies. No confusion. No hidden information. Parents deserve full access to curriculum, materials, and expectations - PERIOD! Consistent, direct communication between the district and families is non-negotiable. Transparency builds trust and parents have the right to know what's happening in their children’s school.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Strong academics come first. Clear standards. Measurable progress. Real results. Classrooms should be focused on learning: reading, writing, math, science, history, AND preparing students for the real world. NOT distractions or agendas.

RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE & FISCAL STEWARDSHIP

The role of the school board is governance, NOT overreach. Set clear policy. Provide oversight. Plan responsibly for the long term. Taxpayer dollars (our dollars) must be managed with discipline and accountability, protecting both educational quality and our community’s investment.

SAFE, STABLE & RESPECTFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Students learn best in environments that are safe, structured, and focused on learning. That standard applies at every level, both in the classroom and in leadership. Our community deserves safe schools. Clear expectations, accountability, and consistency matter. When schools focus on education, teachers can teach and students can succeed.

Service and commitment is not something I take lightly, it’s a standard I’ve lived by throughout my life in many ways. From my military career to being a wife and mother of two boys, I commit to bringing the same dedication to my role serving on the ISD 728 school board. When I commit to something, I do so fully, with discipline, accountability, and responsibility to those I am serving. 

Serving on the school board is not a passive role. It requires thoughtful leadership, steady communication, and a willingness to represent the voices of the entire community. I am committed to doing that with both strength and respect. 

PARENTS AND COMMUNITY

• I will advocate for transparency, accountability, and respect to ensure families are informed, heard, and meaningfully involved in decisions that impact their children and our community. 

TEACHERS AND STAFF

• I will support an environment where educators are equipped with clarity, consistency, and the ability to focus on student success without unnecessary barriers or confusion. 

DISTRICT AND STATE LEADERSHIP

• I will work collaboratively while maintaining high standards, prioritizing accountability, thoughtful decision-making, and restoring trust across the district. 

Parents are not optional in their children’s education. I am running to be the voice of the community to help realign educational goals without political biases.

I’m running because parents deserve a seat at the table BEFORE decisions are made, not after concerns are raised. Whether it’s classroom materials, guest speakers, or assignments, families should never be left in the dark or forced to chase down answers. Transparency shouldn’t be requested, it should be the standard.

Right now, too many decisions are happening behind closed doors, with inconsistent communication and a lack of clear accountability. When parents do speak up, the response shouldn’t be defensive, it should be collaborative and approached in a customer service style.

I believe in:

• Full transparency in curriculum, materials, and school-sponsored events that are backed by the parents of our children.
• Parental access and visibility into what their children are being taught - WITHOUT BARRIERS.
• Age-appropriate, academically focused education that prioritizes reading, writing, math, science, and real-life readiness.
• Respect for family values, not policies that sideline or override them.
• Restoring trust between families, teachers, and leadership.

Minnesota families are paying attention. The chaos we’re seeing across our state with the decline in trust, politicized classrooms, and decisions that exclude parents has no place in ISD 728.

Strong schools start with strong communities and that means people like you stepping in, speaking up, and getting involved. If you believe in putting parents first, restoring transparency, and strengthening ISD 728, there are several meaningful ways you can support this campaign:

SPREAD THE WORD

• One of the most powerful things you can do is simply talk about the campaign. 
• Share our message with friends, neighbors, and other parents.
• Follow and share posts on social media.
• Invite others to community conversations and events.

HOST A MEET AND GREET

• Consider hosting a small gathering with friends, neighbors, or fellow parents. These conversations create space for honest dialogue, shared concerns, and real solutions.

SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN

• Running a campaign takes resources, and every contribution helps us reach more families across ISD 728.

YOUR SUPPORT HELPS FUND:

• Campaign materials and outreach
• Community events
• Informational resources for voters
• Every dollar is used with purpose, transparency, and accountability!