Liz Niemioja

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Four-year Candidate: Liz Niemioja

Posted: October 2, 2023

Liz NiemiojaWhy do you want to serve on the ISD 199 School Board?
I love 199 and our Spartans. I’ve watched our district make some wonderful, positive changes over the years in some areas but struggle for progress in other areas. I want to use my experiences, skills, and connections with our teachers, staff, and families to help our board and our district make forward movement in every way. With the passage of the referendum on the ballot this fall, I’ll follow through to help make these improvements a reality.


What experience do you bring to this position?
My training and experiences as an attorney help me look critically and constructively at issues that will face our board. My vast experiences as a volunteer and leader in our district, from multiple PTSAs/PTOs (president, vice president, and secretary roles), many advisory councils, boosters, in-class help, and event coordination, have given me a strong connection to, appreciation for, and understanding of issues facing our teachers, staff, students, and families. This is enhanced by my recent work as a substitute teacher.

Additionally, I’ve served in a variety of ways in our larger community, from the Inver Grove Heights Planning Commission (chair and vice chair roles), Dakota County Sheriff’s advisory board, volunteering at Neighbors, Inc., and more. These groups have not only allowed me to work collaboratively, but they’ve kept me aware of many issues facing our town and our families. These experiences will help guide my choices with thoughtfulness and thoroughness before setting policy as a school board member.


What are the most important issues concerning the Inver Grove Heights School District and how would you address them?
I recognize the importance of the fact that issues facing our district can be different for every family or staff member. I see the challenges, ranging from teacher retention to closing the achievement gap. But for the purposes of my answer to this question, I would elevate improving the middle school experience and substance abuse coupled with mental health concerns as two of the most important issues facing our district.

We’re simply not living up to our mission in the middle school, and therefore, we’re not living up to our mission as a district. Though we’ve had a great teaching staff, the lack of electives and activities slows the growth of our students, and it puts them in a position of playing catch-up in high school as they try to figure out their passions and strengths later.

We, as a board, must communicate and gain as much feedback as possible from staff to make sure they have the tools and freedom to create a positive culture where all can thrive. We must maintain strong fiscal responsibility and be transparent with our citizens so they can trust that ISD 199 provides what it promises for our students in this upcoming referendum.

Substance abuse, from vaping to fentanyl, is a crisis in our community, and unfortunately, some of our kids aren’t just succumbing to peer pressure, they’re actually self-medicating for an unmet mental health need. Again, communicating with our staff and families about behaviors, changes, and concerns, in addition to providing the staff and resources for our kids to get the support they need, is a start to address the issue. But we should also throw a wide net to discover solutions, considering collaborations not just with our county but with other districts and organizations who are successful as they approach these challenges.