11/11/2022
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
