Mark Zuzek, ISD 200 School Board Director

Dear Hastings area citizens, families and students,

I am extremely proud and happy to be selected as the person to fill the vacancy on the Hastings Public Schools School Board! As you know, I have devoted the bulk of my life to serving the community as a leader in ISD 200. I believe that I am uniquely well-prepared to serve as a school board member. I understand the role of a school board member is to provide stable and consistent governance and guidance for the superintendent and the administration. I am well prepared to serve the primary role of a school board member, which is the representation of the community. I have lived in this community my entire life, and I have been involved in many service-oriented roles. I understand the high expectations that the community has for our school district. In my role as a school board member, I look forward to working with my six colleagues to ensure that the school district is ready to serve the diverse needs of all of our students.

I want to express my gratitude to both Ms. Pam Onnen and Mr. Todd Kullman for their civility and passion. I always knew that their goals were the same as mine. They wanted to serve the children, families, and broader community as a school board member. It takes a strong gut and a confident sense of self-worth to “put yourself out there.”

I am deeply grateful for the members of my campaign committee. The team continually challenged me, and by doing so, encouraged me to be better. The skills, perspectives, and expertise of each member represented a degree of talent that I could not have afforded had they been paid for their work. I also thank Education Minnesota - Hastings for their endorsement and for their independent efforts to get out the vote.

I am thankful for the number of donors who contributed to my campaign fund. Their generosity represented to me support that was absolutely necessary, and it was humbling. Each time a new contribution was received, it was inspirational; in fact, it was the “wind in my sails” that not only pushed me forward but also kept me on track.

I could not have done this without my family. Janet, my wife of 34 years, has been beside me all the way. We have literally spent days posting signs and responding to emailed questions. My children and their spouses have been invaluable consultants. Each of them has brought their own perspectives to our efforts. My grandchildren have been both an inspiration to the need for great schools, and also a useful distraction to the work at hand.

To the students whom I have taught, coached, and engaged with as a principal, I am forever grateful for your challenges, smiles, and successes. You have helped to remind me of what matters most… students are indeed at the heart of all we do! And to the broader community that allowed me to teach their children and trusted me with their assets through taxation, I will never underestimate the responsibility that your trust in me inspires me to continually earn. Whether it was asking to have a sign in your yard, a supportive comment while at the grocery store, or an encouraging comment on social media, I continually felt the support of the community at my side.

Whether or not you voted for me, I will support you as a citizen in my new role as a school board member. Remember that kids love school because schools love kids! For this reason, we need to support the staff and encourage them to do their best work. Staff members need to see the modeling of the expected love, compassion, and tolerance from the school board. If we want our schools to continue to be excellent, we need our staff to continue to be exceptional. Students are at the heart of all we do.

Again, thank you. I am excited to get to work in my new role as a school board member.

Sincerely,
Mark A. Zuzek

Happy Election Day, everyone! Don’t forget to vote!

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone that has helped my campaign get to where it is today. This amazing journey would not have been possible without my wife (Janet (Rotty) Zuzek), my family, friends, and former colleagues, this outstanding community, and even the grandchildren and family dogs that brought joy to every visitor that stopped to talk. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all so very much!

Please take note that we’re asking for you to leave your signs out as we will begin the process of picking them throughout the next few days, starting today. You are also welcome to return them to the address printed at the bottom of them if you would prefer. Thank you all for displaying your support for the community to see.

Be well, do good.

Mark

Find your Polling Place: https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/

We are hours away from voting day and I wanted to make clear why I am running for the ISD School Board opening. These 5 pillars serve as my platform and I would appreciate your vote.

One last time, if you feel that I am the right person for the job, I ask that you like and share this post for our final push.

Mark

https://www.markzuzek.com/about-mark

As we head into voting day tomorrow, I wanted to simply share a few reasons why voting for the school board matters to you and our community. You can find your polling place, as well as a snapshot of my resumé, below.

If you agree that I check the most boxes for this role, I ask that you like and share this post!

Find your Polling Place: https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/
My Qualifications: https://www.markzuzek.com/about-mark

Happy Halloween, everyone! Enjoy the fun and memories tonight, stay safe!

Be well, do good,
Mark

Hello everyone and thank you for the continued support leading into last night’s forum. I wanted to share the recording with you below and I hope after watching this video you believe that I am the most qualified candidate for the school board opening.

What makes me uniquely qualified and ready for this role is that I am the only candidate that has led a school board and managed a $50+ million dollar public school budget. With the potential for difficult economic times ahead, ISD 200’s fiscal responsibility will be critical to its success. If you agree that I am the right candidate for the job, please share this post with your thoughts.

Thank you,
Mark

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KinL83FZlA

PS: Thank you John Hunt, Hastings Minnesota Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau, and Hastings Community TV for hosting!

Be sure to tune in tonight! The recording can be accessed through the same link.

Tonight is the School Board Candidate forum for 2022. The forum is being hosted by HCTV and the Hastings Minnesota Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau. The Forum will be streamed LIVE to our YouTube Channel and broadcasted on Comcast Channel 799.

As a reminder to viewers, there will NOT be an in studio audience for the filming of this forum. Please tune in LIVE on the Cable Channel or via YouTube.

https://youtu.be/7KinL83FZlA

As many of you may know, I do a lot of volunteering around town and this includes currently serving as the Chair of the Board at the Hastings YMCA. Below is a testimonial from their Vice President of Operations.

“Mark Zuzek has spent over 10 years volunteering at the YMCA to help strengthen the Hastings community. Mark’s leadership talents have made the YMCA a stronger organization with greater capacity to help the Hastings community learn, grow, and thrive. Mark was one of the founding community volunteer leaders that had the foresight to bring the YMCA to Hastings. Since the YMCA began its mission delivery in the community, Mark has volunteered in leading efforts to secure financial resources, community development initiatives around diversity, equity, and inclusion and is currently serving as chair of the board for a second time. Mark’s YMCA volunteer commitment to meet the needs of the community has benefited thousands of Hastings Area residents through YMCA programs and services.” - Mike Lavin

If you’d like to share your reason for voting for me, please do so below or send it to our DMs. We plan to do something really special with them soon!

Hastings YMCA is celebrating their 15 Year Fall Celebration Event on the 30th so be sure to check it out!
https://www.ymcanorth.org/blog/2022/08/24/4492936/hastings_ymca_15th_anniversary_celebration

**This is not an endorsement from the Hastings YMCA**
(Photo Credit: YMCA of the North)

It has been brought to our attention that many of our signs were once again stolen from around the area. If this has happened to you, and you haven’t been in contact with my team or I, please DM this page. The Hastings Police Department has been well aware of these occurrences lately and they encourage you to report the sign(s) stolen and share any information.

While this may not seem like a serious offense, acts such as these will continue to bring us further away from finding a common ground.

I ask that we use this as a point of reflection and bring these actions to an end.

Be well, do good.

Mark

We had a great time yesterday at our Spiral Brewery event and it was fun to discuss the current issues ISD 200 is (and will be) facing.

With that said, it is not too late to show your support if you haven't already. I encourage you all to check out the website below, read through my platform and FAQs, sign up for a sign (or to volunteer), and donate if you feel I am the right choice for the seat. Our final push is coming and every little bit counts!

Mark

https://www.markzuzek.com/