Rein in big tech.
Boldly invest
in our schools.
We must address the creeping influence of big tech in our classrooms. And we must remedy chronic underinvestment in our students and educators.
I'm public service and finance nerd, Molly Chase. My kindergartener and I are at the beginning of our MPS journey.
I have the experience, long-term vision, and tenacity to fight for all our students.
Your Candidate for Minneapolis School Board, District 5
Who I Am
I’m a public service and finance nerd who is forever drawn to working with people to solve extremely challenging problems.
No really, it’s a pattern. (see qualifications and examples)
Fifteen years ago I moved to Minneapolis and it changed the trajectory of my life. I left the corporate world behind and embraced work with greater meaning in nonprofits. I met my husband here and we are raising our MPS kindergartener in South Minneapolis.
I grew up as a public school kid in Memphis and Atlanta. I sometimes wonder how today’s test scores have rated the schools that gave me so much.
I owe the growth of the best parts of me–curiosity, tenacity, creativity, and responsibility–to my amazing educators. I will never lose sight of that.
Why you should vote for me
Political websites tend to look and sound the same. I’m writing every word on this site in hopes it will convey my commitment and the value I place on transparency and communication.
The short of it: I am a finance nerd who is responsive and solutions-oriented. I have a vision for our future, and the tenacity to get us there.
You don’t have to take my word for it. You can read through my:
Qualifications and Specific Examples- My experience includes as a Board Member, Finance and Oversight, Lobbying the MN Legislature, Strategic Planning, and Community Building.
Community Endorsements- Hear directly from people who have worked with me on all of the above.
Still not sure if you should back the underdog? Let’s chat! Contact me and we’ll set up a time to talk or text.
Why I’m Running
Minneapolis Public Schools' challenges are urgent. Failure exposes us to further damage by powerful corporate and political interests.
In times of crisis–whether grieving the Annunciation tragedy or protecting our neighbors from ICE–we rally together. We must lean into our collective Minneapolis instinct for solidarity and address this crisis on several fronts at the same time.
For me, School Board is not a stepping stone to a political future. It's an extension of my commitment to service and public schools.
Growing up, public schools offered me the safety and consistency I needed. A few amazing teachers made all the difference in the trajectory of my life. Now, I see the ways we exhaust and undervalue so many people we rely on. I know we can do better.
Minneapolis, we must fight for our public schools. I’m committed to shoring up our vulnerabilities and investing in our schools, students, education support professionals, and teachers.
My Priorities at a Glance
✔ Rein in big tech. The Minneapolis School Board has approved millions for education technology platforms and $13M+ on devices. Nearly all via consent agenda, without public debate. A growing body of research questions 1:1 device use in schools — yet we continue to introduce screens starting in Kindergarten. We need a public conversation on how to responsibly deploy ed-tech and, critically, counter AI's growing influence on students' ability to think and learn independently.
✔ Boldly invest in our schools. Chronic underfunding of our schools has led to an approach of managed decline. Cuts to our educators, counselors and librarians undermine our purpose. We must invest and present a clear path forward. Every choice is an opportunity to persuade our city and state to rally around Minneapolis Public Schools.
✔ Safety and Freedom from Fear for Every Person in our Schools. Working conditions include safety. We can take practical steps to reduce gun violence in all its forms. And we can protect students, educators and staff from discrimination, intimidation, and harassment.
✔ Open Communication. I’ll host a constituent listening session every month because I am committed to transparency and two-way communication.
✔ Leadership through Crisis. Oversight that Never Quits. Minneapolis Public Schools' challenges are urgent, but not insurmountable. I have the financial rigor and tenacity to see us through to the thriving future everyone in our schools deserve.
I’m running because I believe Minneapolis Public Schools can, and will, lead in excellence.
About the School Board election this year
The Minneapolis School Board has five seats up for election. I’m running for District 5. Here’s the full list of candidates as of June 3.
District 1 Incumbent Abdul Abdi (Treasurer) is running for re-election, as is newly declared candidate Ben Lattimore.
District 3 Incumbent Lucie Skjefte is not running for re-election. Candidate Shannon Gibney is running unopposed.
District 5 Incumbent Lori Norvell (Clerk) is not running for re-election. Candidates are Molly Chase (that’s me) and Becca Dryden.
At-Large (2 seats)
Incumbent Collin Beachy (Chair) is running for re-election
Incumbent Joyner Emerick is not running for re-election.
Candidate Christin Crabtree is running for an At-Large seat as are newly declared candidates Clifton "CJ" Henderson, Michael Baskins, and Stephanie Johnson.
Of note: Christin Crabtree, Shannon Gibney, and Becca Dryden are running as a slate with the backing of Take Action and Minnesota Families for Public Schools. The DFL, the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, SEIU, and AFL-CIO have all endorsed the following slate: Crabtree and Beachy for At-Large, Abdi for District 1, Gibney for District 3, and Dryden for District 5. For more on this, see FAQs that follow.
Not sure which District you’re in? You can look it up here: https://boardfinder.mpls.k12.mn.us/
Frequently Asked Questions
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District 5 is an open seat. Lori Norvell is not seeking re-election.
Candidates for District 5 are Molly Chase and Becca Dryden.
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No, I’m not a member of MN Families for Public Schools, though I follow and appreciate their work!
My decision to run for the District 5’s open seat was entirely independent.
I decided to run because I’m a MPS mom and finance/organization nerd, ready to put my expertise and passion for public schools to work. I’m further driven by concerns about tech in schools, safety from gun violence, and creeping corporate interests.
I am not backed by any corporation, PAC, or political organization. It’s an important clarification because past races have essentially been political proxy wars between large interests. That is not the case in District 5.
About MFPS: If you’re not already familiar, Minnesota Families for Public Schools (MFPS) is part of Take Action and has approximately 1200 members (link).
Though not a member, I’m an active participant in their advocacy for public schools at the state level. For example, I was proud to be among the hundreds of parents who participated in their public school advocacy day at the State Capitol this spring.
In answer to questions I’ve received: MFPS determined their slate internally, so they did not offer an open endorsement process.
Prior to the DFL Caucuses in February, MFPS mobilized their members to caucus for Christin Crabtree, At-Large candidate.
On March 30, they announced endorsement of three candidates as a slate:
Becca Dryden (District 5)
Shannon Gibney (District 3)
Christin Crabtree (At-Large)
MFPS has combined their efforts behind their three candidates, sharing a campaign manager, fundraising efforts, a volunteer base, and other essential roles. Super smart! I respect it.
The backing of Take Action/MFPS (very understandably) increased the likelihood of the subsequent endorsements they received, including from the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, SEIU, and AFL-CIO.
The upside: I’m excited for so many passionate people in this board race.
The downside: Running independently is an uphill climb.
TL;DR:
I’m not part of Take Action / Minnesota Families for Public Schools, but I share their passion for standing up for our public schools.
As an independent/outsider candidate, I am unlikely to receive large endorsements. That’s okay with me! Organizations endorse who they know, and I’m starting as a complete unknown. (See community endorsements to get to know me and how I work.)
I’m an independent candidate who has written every word of this website. I’m competing as hard as I can for your support, and I’m undaunted by an uphill path.
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Yes, we’re both pro-educator, pro-student candidates who want to see Minneapolis Public Schools succeed. That’s why so much of my site focuses on concrete examples and people vouching for who I am and how I work.
Beyond that, here’s what sets me apart:
Taking on technology and screen use in schools. In light of recent research, this is a critical issue that has so far been unaddressed.
MN School Board Experience/Track Record. I loved serving my 4-year term as a governor-appointed board director at Perpich Center for Arts Education (2020-2024). While there I:
Expanded free lunch and breakfast, increasing student opt-in rate for meals from approx 40% to 80%.
Chaired the Government Relations Committee.
Successfully advocated with GOP and DFL legislators to save Perpich from closure.
Attended and actively engaged in board meetings (40+) and committee meetings (30+), missing only 2 in four years.
Co-crafted meaningful annual board retreats that connected the board in shared vision and tactical next steps.
Track record of taking on extremely challenging projects that require community outreach and investment and working within confining structures. Examples:
825 Arts in Frogtown, a 15-year uphill project. I worked within the community to write a comprehensive plan that integrated: 500+ community member’s combined vision, foundation funding requirements, government funding requirements, individual fundraising efforts, capital fundraising feasibility plans, deferred maintenance plans, construction plans, and more.
Massive trash incinerator project adjacent to a densely populated area already hit hard by environmental injustice. This fight took approximately four years and involved persuasion of elected officials and the media, as well as coalition-building among neighborhoods.
15-years experience making boards more effective. I’ve worked with dozens of boards on building:
More effective financial dashboards
Designing and facilitating meaningful and productive working/planning sessions
Providing administration oversight that’s both respectful and effective
Managing conflict constructively while aligning around core values and goals
Budget oversight experience that’s extensive, including forecasting, tracking and auditing. Within a career that spans for-profit, non-profit, and governmental financial processes and reporting.
Independence. I’m running this campaign on my own, without either influence or support from outside organizations.
Meaning: I’m already showing you what I’m promising. I work hard and I don’t mind an uphill battle.
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✔ Rein in big tech. The Minneapolis School Board has approved millions for education technology platforms and $13M+ on devices. Nearly all via consent agenda, without public debate. A growing body of research questions 1:1 device use in schools — yet we continue to introduce screens starting in Kindergarten. We need a public conversation on how to responsibly deploy ed-tech and, critically, counter AI's growing influence on students' ability to think and learn independently.
✔ Boldly invest in our schools. Chronic underfunding of our schools has led to an approach of managed decline. Cuts to our educators, counselors and librarians undermine our purpose. We must invest and present a clear path forward. Every choice is an opportunity to persuade our city and state to rally around Minneapolis Public Schools.
✔ Safety and Freedom from Fear for Every Person in our Schools. Working conditions include safety. We can take practical steps to reduce gun violence in all its forms. And we can protect students, educators and staff from discrimination or harassment.
✔ Open Communication. I’ll host a constituent listening session every month because I am committed to transparency and two-way communication.
✔ Leadership through Crisis. Oversight that Never Quits. Minneapolis Public Schools' challenges are urgent, but not insurmountable. I have the financial rigor and tenacity to see us through to the thriving future everyone in our schools deserve.
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So glad you asked! A strong public school system benefits us all, but a lot of messaging targets parents and caregivers. We need to bring along everyone, including Minneapolis neighbors without kids or who have chosen to be child-free.
As a city, we have to ask ourselves:
Are we okay living in a city that doesn’t value our educators?
Our state and federal government continue to pile on unfunded mandates. Schools have become the last line of defense for our social safety net, catching childhood hunger, immigration challenges, homelessness, food scarcity, and more. On top of that, we ask our educators to brace all day every day for the possibility they’ll need to put their bodies between students and a shooter. Can’t we do better than this?
Meanwhile, as with our health care system, our public schools are a core part of a thriving community. And, similar to our health care system, schools are undermined by large corporate interests and political forces. Specifically:
Charter school licensors in MN have a direct financial incentive to renew licenses regardless of how well the charters under their management are serving students.
Tech companies are aggressively pushing AI as a solution to large class sizes.
In cities and towns across Minnesota, MAGA candidates are flooding elections for school board seats. That may seem far away in Minneapolis, but the critical mass of this movement can and will affect us if we don’t take steps to shore up our schools.
Did you know that school boards across the state collaborate on a cohesive legislative agenda? We must protect our communities, including students of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ students.
We can’t lose sight that companies and some political factions have significant financial incentive to undermine our public institutions’ success.
Whether it’s our health care access, our libraries, or our public schools – we must protect public institutions that are the backbone and heartbeat of our city.
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Three of my core values are transparency, communication, and providing way too many options:
📆 Choose a time that’s convenient for you! Let me know if you prefer a call, text, or zoom meeting.
💬 Text me at: 612-208-8203
📧 Email me at: hello @ mollyforminneapolis.com
And/or send me your feedback and priorities via this survey.
Qualifications
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Rigorous financial oversight is the heart of any board’s purpose. I come prepared to interrogate complex financial statements and forecasts effectively. More so thanks to well-rounded experience on all sides of the table: board member, organization leader/administrator, and staff.
Following is a brief overview of my financial management and leadership experience.
For-profit sector
I began my career forecasting and managing a $7M budget in a Fortune 500 company.
After leaving my corporate role, I supported a mission-driven startup with a comprehensive business plan, including detailed financials for building their $10M business.
Nonprofit sector
The nonprofit sector has different considerations for amortization and restricted/unrestricted funding. As Managing Director of Springboard for the Arts (2012-2016), my financial responsibilities included:
Forecasting and management of $1.7M operating budget across seven program areas
Stewardship of an additional $1.1M on behalf of 200+ fiscally sponsored arts organizations
Updating our financial reporting to support organization goals and add an additional layer of transparency for our board members
Working closely with the executive director, board, and a nonprofit financial leader to build the system that formalized use and sustenance of reserve funds
Providing full financial transparency and documentation to our annual auditors
Working closely with a board task force to undergo the best practice of periodically evaluating audit firms
Deeply understanding the complexity of philanthropic giving from private and governmental sources
Quickly getting up to speed on emerging challenges and opportunities, such as landlord responsibilities, establishing cooperative, managing taxes, and potential relevance of MNvest to artists.
Government sector
While my nonprofit work intersected with governmental advocacy and funding, it was as a board member of Perpich Center for Arts Education (2020-2024) that I became immersed in:
Minnesota’s two-year funding cycle (funding and bonding)
The complexity of state general education funding formula
The role of local levies in filling gaps (for which Perpich was not eligible)
How this relates to the Minneapolis School Board
Minneapolis Public Schools operate at a much larger scale, with projected expenses for FY27 as high as $769,246,516. I make no claim to having managed that size budget before. Few people have.
My decades-long track record of generating, evaluating, and poring over financials across sectors has given me valuable perspective. I know which questions to ask, and to keep asking.
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In the past 15 years, I’ve worked with dozens of organizations, to remedy disconnects among board members, or between a board and organization leadership.
Almost every board requires a reset every now and then, especially as new people join and external pressures increase. Mutual respect for lived experience and expertise sets a solid foundation. With that foundation set, building a shared vision and next steps can come together with greater ease.
Board Health Indicators
Amongst board members, mutual respect for lived experience and expertise.
Strength of oversight with organizational leadership.
Micromanagement can be a danger among boards.
The more frequent issue is lack of separation and oversight of organization leadership.
Even with the most ideal org leadership, the board’s responsibility is to maintain perspective and oversight, separate from the administration.
In the case of an elected board, responsiveness and communication with constituents is part of leadership.
Currently, parents cannot reach the MPS Superintendent directly – or at least no contact information is provided.
Board members have access, and must represent their constituents.
Board members should offer clear and frequent opportunities for two-way communication with their constituents.
Board Director Experience
Perpich Center for Arts Education (governor appointed), Board Director and Governmental Relations Chair, 2020-2024
Huge Theater, 2011-2018
Harbor Theatre (program for high school students), 2011-2013
Dad’s Garage Theatre, 2008-2011
Mentor-E, founding board member, 2004-2007
PTO at-large board member at my kindergartener’s MPS elementary school
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As founder and strategist for Mindaro, LLC, I support small businesses and nonprofit organizations with:
Goal Setting, Strategic planning, and Team Building that’s enjoyable, collaborative, and efficient
Community input gathering, and translation of vision into a detailed, actionable plan
Business Plans, including comprehensive risk analysis, market evaluation, and financials
Project design and management
Affordable systems streamlining, so staff can focus on mission (without AI)
Human resources development: coaching, establishing values and processes, and evaluating health care benefit options
Individual Fundraising: Engaging small donors meaningfully
Foundation and governmental fundraising: sifting through data to find new institutional funding sources; crafting compelling narratives and financials to secure grant funding
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Through my work with Arts Advocacy, Moms Demand Action, and Perpich Center for Arts Education, I’ve:
Testified in favor of public education accessiblity before the education committee
Provided written testimony to the MN House and Senate
Shown up in person (and online during pandemic) for advocacy days
Organized scores of 1:1 meetings across GOP/DFL elected leaders
Personally arranged and met with several legislators and/or their staff, across party and geographic lines
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Roughly in chronological order:
Public school education in Memphis and Atlanta
Local library volunteer (and eventual hire) starting at age 14
Scholarship student and student worker at the University of Georgia
AmeriCorps pilot program at College Park Elementary School in Atlanta, GA
Reading Tutor at Atlanta Public Schools (Elementary and Middle)
Co-launched and grew an employee program that engaged 2,000+ volunteers annually
Community Volunteer
Door knocking and canvassing for DFL candidates
Precinct Chair, Vice Chair service for my Ward
DFL Endorsement Convention Delegate
Parks and Libraries contributor
Homework Help Tutor at Nokomis Library
Moms Demand Action, volunteer and statewide leadership role (Communications)
PTO Board, very active at-large member
Mutual aid coordination and streamlined systems for delivering aid
Specific Examples
Values in Action
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825 Arts in Frogtown, Saint Paul stands as a living, breathing monument to authentic community engagement and tenacity that defied all odds.
My work in 2015 bridged community vision with financial support from the City and large institutional funders. I put my financial, business planning, and creativity to work in protecting the community vision even as I made an airtight business case for the art center’s viability.
Institutional scrutiny was intense and community trust was tenuous.
That’s where I came in.
I rightsized estimates for construction that reflected community vision, for example, rejecting a stage curtain that would cost nearly $100K.
Scaled the operational budget and fundraising plans to match each other, including reserving ongoing funds so maintenance would not be deferred.
Provided a realistic plan for staffing, operations, marketing and more.
Performed a risk analysis on construction and other potential hurdles.
I presented the comprehensive business plan to all audiences, including community, funders, and City officials. I faced rounds of intense questioning from each.
With a few updates to the plan, the City came through with immediate funding to halt ongoing water damage. They also pledged additional investment that gave the community a chance to build.
Ultimately, the community raised $3.9M in public and private funding, realizing the arts space they’d envisioned all along. 825 Arts opened its doors in 2024 and continues to thrive.
I took on this intensely complex, challenging project fully aware it would be a years-long, uphill battle. When I believe in something, I commit fully and don’t stop until we succeed.
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From 2011-2018, I served an unpaid, part-time role for an artist-led startup teater. As with what’s expected with the School Board, I worked this “part time” job in addition to my full-time work.
In those seven years, I brought a focus on community building, fundraising, methodical strategic planning. Plus straight-up persuasion. This work helped grow the organization’s annual budget five-fold (from $100K to $660K+).
I wrote and implement a series of detailed strategic plans with extensive financials. But my most impactful work was first listening intently to community and then translating our values into the systems required for a sustainable future. In this case, systems included:
Landing highly competitive state, regional and foundation grants.
Building trust with lenders and banks.
Securing a credit line that we never used, but hedged against an extinction event.
Lobbying elected leaders at the city and state level.
Translating community passion into an annual fundraising event that nearly broke GiveMN’s Give to the Max Day system. By 2017, we raised more than $65,000 from small donations (in the $5-$25 range), receiving contributions from every state in the U.S.
I did not do this work alone or in a vacuum. The theater was founded by talented and committed artists who offered excellent classes and performance opportunities. The theater attracted community investment, in part, by making sure everyone deeply felt what was true–they belonged.
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From 2020-2024, I served as a governor-appointed Board Member for Perpich Center for Arts Education.
Perpich is a state agency that serves all Minnesotans with:
A two-year arts high school
A specialized arts education library
Professional development resources for all educators
During my four-year tenure:
I missed only one meeting (due to illness)
Chaired the government relations committee
Provided rigorous financial oversight, including requiring a change to the financial dashboard for greater transparency
Served on special projects as needed, including leading the charge on eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for families.
Working with the State Legislature
In my first years, the MN legislature was split. This left Perpich vulnerable to partisan attacks.
Several years prior, Perpich had been driven to the brink of closure. Though the organization had long since fully correct course, old perceptions lingered. This came to a head with a briefly worded MN legislative bill with one devastating goal: “Abolish Perpich.”
I led the board’s vocal and multi-pronged defense of Perpich.
When we could not stop the bill from being passed in committee, we kept going.
When the bill reached the floor for a vote, we kept going.
When we finally defeated the bill on the floor (yes!), we kept going.
We did not stop until we connected with each legislator, across party lines, and shored up our vulnerabilities to discourage a similar bill in the future.
Public education comes under attack on many fronts, though usually with more subtle language. I highlight this example as evidence of my full commitment and belief in working proactively and persuasively with city and state elected leaders.
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Three miles from downtown Atlanta sits a 200-home neighborhood I called home for eleven years before moving to Minneapolis.
Due to its geography and small size, my old neighborhood came under attack from large corporate interests multiple times.
Whether I was serving as president of our neighborhood association at the time or not, I joined my neighbors in loudly and successfully pushing back against:
A massive trash incinerator planned for construction adjacent to a densely populated area already hit hard by environmental and racial injustice. This fight took approximately four years and involved persuasion of elected officials, the media, and coalition building among neighborhoods.
Environmental and health damage posed by a massive mound of improperly contained silica dust. This fight required approximately two years and imminent threat of a lawsuit. It ultimately resolved in our neighborhood’s favor.
My neighborhood did not win every fight. (I have a lot to say about data centers, for example.)
But we took on fights with enormous, powerful institutions that few would try. All of us, doing this work in addition to personal commitments and full time jobs. It never occurred to me that we wouldn’t. And it honed my instincts and clarity of focus.
Then and now, I bring not only financial rigor, but human connection, creativity, and fierce passion for making our Minneapolis Public Schools a destination.
You’ve made it this far. Let’s have some fun!
The icebreaker question you didn’t ask, answered
It’s okay that you’ve never heard of me! Here’s what I’d probably contribute to a forced icebreaker situation.
At age 52, I have the unusual distinction of being old enough to join the AARP but young enough to be the mom of a six-year-old.
My crush in middle school was Benjamin Franklin. (I wish I were kidding.) I majored in History at the University of Georgia.
Favorite first work experiences: Shelving books at my local public library, elementary school support via the AmeriCorps pilot program. I worked my way up to leading a 45-person digital team at Cartoon Network, ultimately leaving corporate life to focus on start-ups and nonprofits.
No surprise, I dislike the immense power and damage caused by billionaires. But I have a soft spot for Turner Broadcasting founder, media mogul, and bison enthusiast, Ted Turner.
One summer during high school, I lived in Tbilisi, Georgia! Less than a year later, Georgia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. (These facts are not related.)
I love movies and film production. I’ve worked as producer, assistant director, and on craft services.
Things I’m good at: building systems, doing research, listening deeply, joking around (when appropriate), and working extremely hard for the people and causes I’m passionate about.
Interested in supporting
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