One of the toughest issues Tim faced while serving on the Hopkins School Board was a contentious boundary battle between the Hopkins and Edina School Districts. Residents of an Edina neighborhood located within the Hopkins School District sought to detach from the district.
Receiving Student Input at the Board Table
“Emotions ran very high on both sides, as it was an extremely divisive issue,” Tim said. “It was hard to see the community so divided, but at the same time it was very cool to see an abundance of community members attend the board meeting to make their voices heard.” Hopkins School Board Chair Warren Goodroad – in his letter of recommendation for Tim’s MSBA Scholarship application – wrote that Tim “is thoughtful and informed and has represented the student body well at the board table. He participates in discussions on matters before the board, and keeps the board informed on overall student activities at the high school.” Hopkins High School counselor Jean Davidson also had high praise for Tim in her recommendation letter. “In my 39 years as an educator, few students have shown the breadth of involvement, leadership and excellence that Tim has. He is involved to make things better for others, not to pad his resume. …He is a dream student – inquisitive, a creative thinker, respectful and hard-working.”
18 MSBA Journal
Among Tim’s very long list of activities and achievements was being selected as one of two student delegates from Minnesota to attend the U.S. Senate Youth Program from March 8–15. He said that week made a big impression on him. “My experience was nothing short of life-changing, as we got to hear from various speakers – including President Obama – about their unique experiences and passion for public service,” he said. Tim said his time on the Hopkins School Board had a huge impact on him. “I appreciate my education so much more after seeing the tremendous amount of work that goes on behind the scenes,” Tim said. “It was also great to be able to work with a board that was so responsive to my thoughts and the thoughts of the other two student delegates. They listen and care about what the students have to say.” Greg Abbott is the communications director for the Minnesota School Boards Association. Bruce Lombard is the associate communications director for the Association. To contact them, you can call 800-324-4459 or e-mail gabbott@mnmsba.org or blombard@mnmsba.org.
Autumn Meyer