2026 district 112 School Board Candidate
“I view public education as the Great Equalizer within our community. My focus is on building bridges and uniting diverse perspectives, so our board’s decisions directly empower our frontline educators. By removing administrative barriers and addressing classroom distractions, we can create the conditions our teachers need to lift our student scholars and help every child reach their full potential.”
— Makiza Johnson —
Name: Makiza Johnson
Website: https://www.makizajohnson4district112.com/
Email address: makizajohnson4district@gmail.com
City of residence: Chaska
Professional and volunteer background:
Professional career in enterprise cybersecurity and information technology. United States military veteran. Volunteer background: Former 2022 candidate for the Eastern Carver County School Board, actively engaged in community budget and governance discussions. Commissioner on the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission. Leadership Board Member for the ISC2 Twin Cities Chapter.
What makes you the best candidate in this race:
I bring over two decades of corporate leadership, along with military experience, that has trained me to analyze complex systems, provide strict fiscal guardrails and implement strategic oversight. I view public education as the Great Equalizer within our community. My focus is on building bridges and uniting diverse perspectives, so our board’s decisions directly empower our frontline educators. By removing administrative barriers and addressing classroom distractions, we can create the conditions our teachers need to lift our student scholars and help every child reach their full potential.
What would be your top 3 priorities if elected to the District 112 School Board:
1) Academic excellence: Implementing concentrated curriculum enhancements in reading, math and technology to close achievement gaps and ensure all students have equitable access to the skills required for a digital economy.
2) Supporting staff: Removing administrative barriers and mitigating classroom distractions so educators can focus entirely on student success. We must value their frontline expertise and treat our educational team as our most critical resource.
3) Stewardship: Providing transparent, fiscal oversight to navigate the current budgetary pressures. I will prioritize collaborative partnerships with our educators and the community to balance fair compensation with responsible budget allocations that protect the taxpayers’ financial trust.
Are there any programs you would like to see augmented or eliminated if you are elected to the School Board:
I want to expand concentrated training and pathways in hands-on learning. Reading, trades, math and technology, preparing students for an increasingly technical and manual workforce. Rather than targeting specific programs for elimination, my immediate focus is on protecting the comprehensive educational experiences we currently offer. 112 is facing significant budget pressures that have already forced cuts and threaten valuable enrichment programs, such as middle school band and orchestra, while increasing class sizes. My goal is to allocate resources strategically to preserve these essential programs that keep students engaged, rather than stripping away the opportunities that make our community strong.
How would you address, if at all, ongoing property tax increases:
Balancing property tax burdens with fully funding District 112 is essential for our community. Because state funding has lagged behind inflation and mandates, the District faces a structural deficit, prompting cost-containment measures and a proposed operating levy.
Are you pleased with the progress the District has made over the past year? Why or why not:
While the District has managed resources commendably, we must build deeper community trust through uncompromised, long-term fiscal oversight. I applaud our educators’ resilience amid these challenges. Moving forward, the board owes them systemic backing through proactive, transparent financial planning based on common-ground solutions, rather than relying on cuts.
