ECC School Board

Name: Rachel Berg Scherer

Website: rachelfor112.com

Email address: rachelfor112@gmail.com

Home community and how long have you lived in your community:

Chanhassen – 22 years; Chaska (current) – eight years

Previous leadership experience:

Church Council vice president: Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, Chaska; classroom teacher: Baltimore County Public Schools; supervisor of communications staff: School Sisters of Notre Dame in Baltimore; Legislative Office of Compliance on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.; supervisor of interns: Minnesota Attorney General’s Office

In what community, state, or national organizations have you been involved? 

Confirmation teacher, choir member & volunteer, Crown of Glory Lutheran Church, Chaska; co-founder, Team 112; Scouts BSA Troop 174 merit badge counselor; Chaska Area Youth Basketball Association head coach; Minnesota Valley Community Band member; National Council of Teachers of English; National Association of Writers and Writing Programs; National Textbook and Academic Authors Association; Editorial Freelancers Association.

How have you prepared to serve well in this office: 

I have lived my life surrounded by education and public service. Both my parents were public school teachers. My dad taught for more than 35 years in District 112, and my mom taught the same amount of time in Bloomington. They were also both volunteers and public servants, from Sunday School classrooms and teen homeless shelters to the Chanhassen Parks & Recreation Commission and beyond. I have followed my family’s model of servant leadership, budgeting for nonprofits’ finances and volunteering as a teacher and mentor. I have also lived my entire life in education, both inside and outside the classroom.

What do you see as the top three priorities for the school district today and how would you address these? 

1. Academic achievement: Every student is gifted and every student has needs. Every student has the right to a learning environment that supports their full potential. This means empowering and supporting staff to provide that environment.

2. Clear communication: Board members must build real relationships. We must listen in order to truly understand. We do not always have to agree, but I will always listen, and I will always hear.

3. Maximizing resources: Our buildings must be run equitably, with resources allocated in the most prudent way possible.

What differentiates you from the other candidate(s)?

My life experiences have uniquely prepared me for a seat on our School Board. I grew up with two teachers who served more than a combined 70 years in the classroom. I worked on Capitol Hill for a nonpartisan agency, communicating with Congress on both sides of the aisle. I worked in the nonprofit sector before becoming a teacher myself. I taught high school English in Baltimore until my son was born, at which time I founded what has since grown into a thriving writing and editing firm. I am the proud parent of two ECCS students — August at Chaska Middle School West and Ruthie at La Academia — and a past host parent to teachers from Spain and El Salvador. I also worked with two of our teachers to create a program that connects ECCS 7th graders with local veterans. This combination of communication skills, classroom experience, business savvy and life experiences sets me apart.

What is your stance on the current curriculum? If or what changes are necessary?

While developing curriculum is not a role of the School Board, I know as a former classroom teacher that curriculum isn’t developed or implemented in a vacuum. When I taught, I welcomed conversations with parents and community members about the state’s curriculum. And I appreciated when the state lawmakers who developed the education standards listened to those of us who were tasked with implementing it. I hope this collaborative approach will continue in Eastern Carver County, where both my children are challenged and enriched in the classroom every day.

What would be your approach to managing the school district’s budget effectively?

As stated above, our board is tasked with maximizing our resources in a way that gives every student the opportunity to succeed. Though district staff lead much of the overall budgeting process, I would still advocate for — and be an active part of — community engagement before any significant decisions are brought to the board for approval. Budget conversations can be very difficult, and the decisions can be even harder. Consistent feedback from a variety of stakeholder groups is always necessary, but this is especially true in the budgeting process.

Do you favor cellphone restrictions in schools, and if so, what restrictions?

The current “bell-to-bell no cell” restriction is a mandated order. As a former teacher and a parent of a middle schooler, I can speak to how difficult it is to manage a learning space or a relationship when competing with technology.

Even though school districts now have the statutory authority to renew operating levies without voter approval, should the board have the voters decide? Why?

This can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. Since school board members are tasked with listening and learning before making any budgetary decisions, a blanket yes/no answer would not be responsible.

Should our superintendent be contractually responsible for metrics such as enrollment, test scores, and the district’s financial condition? Why or why not?

Again, this is case-by-case, as every personnel issue comes with a host of outside variables. A blanket response would therefore also not be thoughtful or appropriate here. I hope our board continues to thoughtfully consider personnel matters behind closed doors, as is required by law.

Where do you see the School District in the next five to 10 years?

We will continue to be a destination district for families like mine who have purposefully chosen Eastern Carver County. We will support our staff at every level. And we will provide opportunities for every student to have the specific supports they need in order to find success.

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