Elect Wendy Lundsgaard
Building on Orono’s Excellence
Endorsements:
Orono Education Association, the Orono Schools educators
Jack Veach, John Malone, Martha Van de Ven, Bob Tunheim, former and current Orono School Board Chairs
Melanie DeLuca, former Director of Orono Community Education
Susan Breon, former President of Orono Foundation for Education (OFE)
Jeanne Morrison Cook, former OFE board member and Orono grad
Nell Mathews, former Minnetonka Beach City Council member and OFE board member
Liz Weir, former Mayor of Medina
Tad and Cindy Piper, long-time community members
Experience
Educator
Literacy Specialist
Legislative Advocate for Education
Nationwide literacy trainer
Commitment
Orono Schools Curriculum and Accountability Council, 8 years
Book Fair Co-Chair, 8 years
Orono Schools Strategic Planning Taskforce
Past Member, Orono Foundation for Education Marketing Committee
Volunteer at large
Community
Board Member, Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota
Member, Higher Education Literacy Partnership of Minnesota
Past Board Member, GIVING WoMN
Board Member, Orono-Westonka Girls Youth Hockey
Testimonials
Wendy’s background as an educator and her commitment to the our kids and our schools, and her collaborative way of getting things done, will serve our community with distinction on the Orono School Board.
—John Malone, former Orono School Board Chair
She has been a great champion for kids, teachers and parents.
“Wendy has volunteered countless hours with Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota (DDMN). During her time with DDMN I have had the opportunity to work with her on all issues related to Dyslexia and then struggling readers. I have no doubt her work and dedication to the cause has led to significant improvements for those struggling with Dyslexia and reading. She has been a great champion for kids, teachers and parents.”
—Senator Roger Chamberlain (38, R), Chair, MN Senate, K12 policy & finance committee
As a teacher herself, Wendy Lundsgaard is passionate about sound education. Her goal as school board member is to keep our Orono Public School a noted school of excellence. She has my vote.
—Elizabeth Weir, former mayor of Medina
As an educator and literacy specialist, she is uniquely qualified to make informed and thoughtful decisions for the benefit of all students at Orono.
Wendy Lundsgaard is the most qualified new candidate running for a position on the Orono School Board. As an educator and literacy specialist, she is uniquely qualified to make informed and thoughtful decisions for the benefit of all students at Orono. Her expertise and experience will be an incredible asset to the Orono school community. Please join me in voting for Wendy Lundsgaard.
—Susan Breon, former President of Orono Foundation for Education
She understands the strengths and opportunities of what both students and educators need to be successful.
Wendy is a dedicated leader, who has volunteered within Orono Schools for many years. She understands the strengths and opportunities of what both students and educators need to be successful. And she is willing to listen and help our community and school system recover after these past few difficult years.
—Jeanne Morrison Cook, former Orono Foundation for Education board member
“Wendy is legitimately the most qualified candidate for our school board.”
“For a number of years, I have known of Wendy Lundsgaard. It wasn’t until an Orono School Board meeting in 2021 that convinced me Wendy is legitimately the most qualified candidate for our school board. Fall of 2021 was a time we all took interest in school board meetings. First timers were curious to watch events unfold. The topics du-jour were 100% about masks, except for one person, Wendy Lundsgaard. Wendy was the first speaker to take the podium that particular meeting. Wendy spoke about literacy and receiving funding to help all of our students in the district be more proficient readers. She was passionate about how to improve education, and she was clearly a professional with a background in literacy. Literacy was the only topic Wendy spoke about. During a time when distractions caught the attention and passions of so many parents, Wendy had her eye on the ball. I will never forget that moment, watching someone who knew how to stay on topic. Mic drop.
— Ann Martin, Orono Parent
“Driven to see Orono Schools succeed. Invested in helping children and families. Open minded and willing to hear other points of view.”
A former teacher who never stopped educating herself and others! Promises student-first decision making. Driven to see Orono Schools succeed. Invested in helping children and families. Open minded and willing to hear other points of view. Wendy is no stranger to public education. She has taught in the classroom and knows the difficulties teachers face. She has testified at the legislature multiple times to help improve public education in Minnesota. Over the last few years, Wendy has volunteered her time meeting with the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) to help improve Minnesota's literacy standards. She voluntarily presents to parents so they are able to better understand how their children’s learning disabilities affect them in the classroom and teaches them to advocate for their children at school. She has trained teachers on how to teach reading so that all students learn to read. These are just some of the ways Wendy has volunteered countless hours to improve Minnesota's Public Education system because she believes all students are entitled to a high quality education. As a school board member myself, I know the importance of having other board members who are on there for the right reasons. Now more than ever before, it is vitally important that board members are able to look beyond politics and focus on what is best for the students and teachers in the classroom. When our schools thrive, our communities thrive. I can promise you Orono will not find a stronger advocate who supports Orono Schools and ALL of Orono’s students than Wendy Lundsgaard.
—Rachel Depa, Delano School Board Member and former Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota President
“For as long as I have known her, she has passionately sought to provide kids with improved literacy skills through implementing and teaching phonics-based school curriculum that make reading achievable.”
I first met Wendy many years ago when our children were in kindergarten together, and I later worked alongside her for two years as a school fundraiser co-chair. For as long as I have known her, she has passionately sought to provide kids with improved literacy skills through implementing and teaching phonics-based school curriculum that makes reading achievable. As a former teacher, she is a passionate and educated lifelong learner who has spent much of her free time pursuing success for kids struggling with reading and learning disabilities. I could not be more excited to support Wendy’s candidacy for Orono School Board as she is uniquely qualified as both a current Orono parent and a former educator
—Nell Nishida, Orono parent
“Through her actions and responses, it is evident how much she cares for schools and the families they serve.”
Wendy came highly recommended as a resource for professional development and exceeded those recommendations. She is extremely knowledgeable in reading strategies that support all learners and those that may be displaying traits of dyslexia. Wendy is easy to work with, realistic, and an advocate of educators. Through her actions and responses, it is evident how much she cares for schools and the families they serve.
—Rachel Schultz, Principal, Delano Elementary School
“She took the time to really get to know our current situation and curriculum in preparation for her trainings with our staff.”
Wendy worked with our staff during the past school year as she provided our staff with some literacy professional development. She took the time to really get to know our current situation and curriculum in preparation for her trainings with our staff. She was professional, informative and well prepared in a wide variety of topics and our staff learned a great amount of information from her. She has continued to be a great resource that our staff continues to use.
—Paul Ludwig, Dean of Students, Delano Elementary School
All Students Deserve an
Excellent Education
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As an educator and parent, I am motivated, excited, and committed to be running for Orono School Board. Together we will strive to provide the highest quality public education available to every child in our district.
I applaud the grace and determination shown by our teachers and district staff as they adapted and implemented new systems of learning during the unprecedented challenge of the past two years. Building on these successes and improving upon our weaknesses is a thrilling prospect. These were difficult times for our community, and I am eager to support the conversations needed to establish goals and promote constructive change to meet our students’ needs.
Living in an increasingly global society has in fact highlighted how important local society is for our collective well-being. I want to work hard for our kids. Together, we influence the future. Curriculum and instruction should nurture, support, and cultivate the skills and knowledge necessary for our students to thrive when they graduate in 2023 and beyond.
I promise to always ask questions, listen with an open mind, and put kids first.
I hope to earn your vote.
Wendy