Zachary Bateson for Kindred School Board

06/11/2025

Hi followers and likers — we (unofficially) did it!! 🎉
THANK YOU for the support, encouragement, and conversations along the way. When it comes to giving our students and community the tools to grow and thrive, I'm all in. I’m honored to serve and ready to get to work.

Together, We Grow.

06/09/2025

Tomorrow is voting day! Tuesday, June 10th at Kindred High School from 7am to 7pm.

Send a message to learn more

06/02/2025

There’s a whole team behind the scenes who help keep schools going:

Bus drivers make sure the kids get to and from school safely. Lunch staff fueling minds and bodies. Custodians keep hallways clean and safe. Paraprofessionals support students one-on-one and in classrooms. Office staff juggling calls, schedules, and more.

Every one of them is important. Every one of them helps create a school environment where students can succeed. As a school board candidate, I believe in supporting the whole team—because that’s what keeps Kindred Schools strong.

06/01/2025

I want to hear from you District 2!

05/31/2025

More Than Just an Elective

They’re often called “extras,” but they teach essential, real-world skills.

Theatre taught me how to speak with confidence—even middle school plays. It builds poise, self-assurance, and the ability to stand up and be heard.

Music taught me to listen and collaborate—skills I still use today. Playing trumpet and French horn sharpened my focus and attention to detail.

Art helps me explain complex ideas through visuals, especially in my work filled with jargon. Creativity isn’t optional—it’s powerful and practical.

As a school board candidate, I believe in protecting these programs and other electives—not just because they enrich student lives, but because they prepare kids for the real world.

05/31/2025

Anyone in District 2 looking to add some campaign flair to their lawn? Your support helps me help you—and our students.
Drop a comment, send a PM, or shoot me an email if you want a sign!

05/30/2025

Thank You, Teachers

I still remember the spark that lit my love for science—it came from my high school biology teacher. One class, one teacher, one moment can shape the direction of a student.

Many of you have a teacher story —someone who saw your potential before you saw it yourself.

Teachers empower our future problem-solvers, leaders, and innovators. As a school board candidate, I’ll continue working to make sure they have the resources, respect, and support they need to keep inspiring the next generation.

Recently, I went back to say thanks to my HS biology teacher

EVELETH—Students in Todd Ufford’s seventh hour Eveleth-Gilbert High School science class spent some time last week smashing up strawberries.

05/27/2025

Budget-Minded, Solution-Focused.

I’ve spent 9 years in the nonprofit world—where tight budgets and tight deadlines aren’t the exception, they are the norm. I have a knack for finding, writing, and winning grants.

That experience taught me how to lead with a clear head, stretch resources, and find creative solutions when things get tough. I bring that same mindset to school leadership: practical, thoughtful, and steady under pressure.

Fiscal responsibility isn’t just about numbers—it’s about values and smart decisions that support our students and staff. It will always be a challenge and a concern, but it is the school board’s responsibility to spend wisely and lead with transparency.

05/24/2025

If your kids had 7th grade biology between 2020–2024 at Kindred, there’s a good chance they know me as “the reptile guy”. They might even have pictures holding one of my animals. 🐍🦎🐸

It is a blast bringing in some unusal pets to chat about genetics and animal classification for some hands-on science in the classroom. Sheena and I even bring our pets to the Kindred Public Library for summer storytime (see us there on June 12th!) because learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom.

05/23/2025

Success Starts Here — Just Ask My Wife!

Coming to Kindred has been awesome for a lot of reasons. The one at the top of my mind is the front row seat to Sheena’s career successes and her volunteer work as an NDSU Master Gardener.

After a big career change in 2020, she quickly moved through the ranks to become the branch manager at the local credit union. Sheena has also become quite proficient at finding funds to support both the community and high school pollinator gardens.

Sheena is proof that this community and this school system build confident, capable leaders.

Supporting schools means investing in the next Sheena—the students who come back to build lives here, to volunteer here, and help our community grow from the inside out.