With primary results, six candidates move on to Somerset School Board elections in April

Lorri Baillargeon, Steve Degelau, Dani Erickson, Ruth Harleen, Kristin Siskow and Corey Cole will move on to the April election for three open seats on the Somerset School Board now that Tuesday's primary voting results are in.

The Somerset School Board had six spots on the ballot for three open seats in the April 2 election, so with their primary voting this week, residents in the school district whittled down the seven candidates to six for the upcoming election.

St. Croix County posted the unofficial vote total as follows (these results still need to be certified):

Lorri Baillargeon 490

Steve Degelau 453

Dani Erickson 452

Ruth Harleen 387

Kristin Siskow 374

Corey Cole 292

Jessica Bjorkman 171

Write-In Totals 17

Baillargeon, a graduate of Somerset High School who has also taught in the school district, tabbed hiring and retention of highly qualified staff as an important way to address student achievement. 

"While we have seen recent growth in student achievement as reported by WI-DPI state report cards, a challenge facing our District is one that is common across our nation: ensuring the achievement of all our youth," Baillargeon said in a school board candidate Q&A, via Somerset Schools.

Baillargeon is one of three school board members whose term expires in 2024. Cole, the other incumbent running, narrowly moved on this week. Somerset Schools announced that incumbent Marge Belisle would not be running again, and Belisle did not immediately respond to comment. 

The Republican Party of St. Croix County announced support of Steve Degelau and Dani Erickson, and both candidates will move on to the April Election. Though voters could choose up to three candidates in the primary election, the party did not suggest another candidate outside of those two.

Degelau said in his school board candidate Q&A that one of the reasons he and his wife moved their family to Somerset from a Twin Cities suburb, was because they didn't like the direction the Minnesota education system was going in.

"I believe with the right vision, the board can steer fundamental change to make our district No. 1 in the area and be known for its respect of parents’ voices, focus on safety, and innovative solutions in achieving academic excellence," Degelau said in the Q&A, per Somerset Schools.

Erickson said the school district could benefit from more community and parental involvement.

"In addition to curriculum transparency and accessibility, I would like to see all parents and community members invited to the next Strategic Plan sessions in 5 years as they do in the New Richmond school district and other local districts," Erickson said in the Q&A, via Somerset Schools. 

Somerset Schools conducted school board candidate Q&As with all of the running candidates, which you can read here.