NRHEG Star Eagle

137 Years Serving the New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Area
Newspaper of Record for NRHEG School District
Newspaper of Record for Waseca County, MN
PO Box 248 • New Richland, MN 56072

507-463-8112
email: steagle@hickorytech.net
Published every Thursday
Yearly Subscription: Waseca, Steele, and Freeborn counties: $52
Minnesota $57 • Out of state $64

With the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 4, candidates for NRHEG School Board were given questionnaires by the NRHEG Star Eagle. Seven candidates are running for four open seats. The following are their responses:


Name: Karen Flatness

Age: 35

Family: Husband Brandon, children Cale Zander Nora Tucker and Stepson Gage

How long have you lived in the area? All my life

What is your occupation?  Co-Owner of Olson Excavating/Stay at home Mom

Have you help a school board position in the past?  Yes, the last 4 years

What do you consider the most important part of this job? To provide the best education for our children, while remaining financially responsible.

What particular strengths of experience do you bring to the position that you believe will help you do a good job?  In the last 4 years I have had the opportunity to attend multiple conferences, including NRHEG School District Strategic planning conference, and most recently a State Special Education Funding conference on how Special Education directly impacts our district. Being a Stay-At-Home Mom, I have had time to devote to administration and public concerns.

What do you feel are the school district’s most import concerns at this time? I feel we need a more secured entrance at the Ellendale building.  More classrooms in the Ellendale building would provide for a more enriched learning.  In the high school, I would like to see more college based learning classes.


Name: John C. Harrington

Age: 63

Family: Kristi, Jeff, Jennifer, Matt, Andrew, Kelli, Jordan

How long have you lived in the area? 41 years

What is your occupation or profession? Retired

Have you held a school board position in the past? Nine years

What do you consider the most important part of this job? To be a good listener and combine the needs of Administration, staff, and community to formulate the best course of action for our students’ continued success.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job? I have always wanted the best for our community. Past experience on the City Council as mayor of New Richland, and the past nine years on the board has allowed me to be a part of the process to ensure that this is a great place for our children.

What do you feel are the school district’s most important concerns at this time? To continue providing a board based education with a wide variety of classes. Maintaining and enhancing our facilities to give our students a great environment. Providing a safe place for learning by continued work with Administration, staff, and various law enforcement agencies.


Name: JoAnn Hagen Maloney

Age: 55

Family: Husband, Ed, and our children, Will (21), Anita (17) and Maggie (13)

How long have you lived in the area? I was raised in New Richland by Hap and Marlene Hagen, graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School and returned home three years ago.

What is your occupation or profession? Attorney

Have you held a school board position in the past? No

What do you consider the most important part of this job? Providing the best possible education to all of our students to prepare them for their future whether that includes post-secondary education, the military or entering the workforce. We need to support and encourage all of our students and keep in mind their various abilities and interests.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position that you believe will help you do a good job? Attending law school and practicing law provided me with the skills to assess and weigh risks when making decisions and understand the big picture while still managing the any important details. I have attended many of the NRHEG School Board meetings this year to help me understand the types of issues the School District now faces. I am currently a member of the New Richland Care Center Advisory Board and previously served on the Planning 

Commission for the City of Crystal, Minnesota.

What do you feel are the school district’s most important concerns at this time?:The biggest issue is the most efficient and effective use of our resources to provide the best education. This ongoing concern is heightened by desires to seek a levy for a remodel/expansion of the gym and other capital improvements. We need a lot of discussion to determine whether to seek any levy, and if so, for what types of improvements. I would encourage input from voters, administration and staff to understand their concerns and desires. 


Name: Rich Mueller

Age: 47

Family: Wife Penni, children Jordan 17, Matthew 11, and Mckenzie 8

How long have you lived in the area? 13 years

What is your occupation or profession? I’m employed at Viracon, a reserve for the Steele County Sheriff office and the Ellendale Fire Department

Have you held a school board position in the past? Yes; 2004-2008

What do you consider the most important part of this job? Making sure the district operates within its means.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job?: I ask a lot of questions if I don’t understand things. I was also a Trustee for the Ellendale United Methodist Church, so I know how spending goes.

What do you feel are the school district’s most important concerns at this time? Budget – because the state always cut sback on funding. 


Name: Travis Routh

Age: 41

Family: Wife Lisa, sons Braden, Thor, and Reese

How long have you lived in the area? I have lived in the area my whole life other than college and two years in Spring Valley. 

Occupation: General Manager at L&D Ag Service 

Have you held a school board position in the past? I have not held a school board position in the past.

What do you consider to be the most important part of this job? I consider the most important part of being on the school board is ensuring the students get a quality education while maintaining a reasonable budget to operate the school.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job? I believe that the daily responsibilities at my job which include sales, service, marketing, accounts payable and receivable monitoring, customer relations, and human resources would make me a well-rounded school board member.   

What do you feel are the school district’s most important concerns at this time? I feel the school district’s most important concern at this time is that we are forced by the state to teach the students material that helps them score well on standardized tests.  I don’t feel that this is necessarily the best education possible and would like to help find a way to make sure the students get a well-balanced education while scoring as high as possible on the state mandated tests.


Name: Rick Schultz

Age: 45

Family: Wife Jackie, daughter Hallie

How long have you lived in this area? 45 years

What is your occupation or profession? Farming

Have you held a school board position in the past? Yes

What do you consider the most important part of this job? Meeting the needs of a diverse group of students, all while maintaining quality dedicated staff within a budget that is responsible to the taxpayers of the district.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job? My past years as a board member have helped me understand public education. I feel I am an approachable, considerate listener that can represent the public well.

What do you feel are the school district’s important concerns at this time? Financial stability is the backbone of every district. We need quality staff meeting students needs and up-to-date facilities that will keep us competitive for years to come.


Name: Mark Tollefson

Age: 48

Family: Wife Sandy, Kids Carter, Spencer, and Emma

How long have you lived in the area? 40 years

What is your occupation or profession? Business owner MNS Seed Testing, part-time NRHEG school bus driver, farmer

Have you held a school board position in the past? No

What do you consider the most important part of this job? Being able to listen to all parties involved before making decisions.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job? I have lived in the school district for 40 years so I feel I have a good understanding of the community. I am a business owner which has helped me strengthen my skills of working with a variety of people.

What do you feel are the school district’s most important concerns at this time? Education should be the top priority. In addition, keeping our facilities up-to-date and listening to what the community needs are.

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