Over this campaign season, neighbors have taken the time to write to the Forest Lake Times about this school board race — among them a 20-year former board member, two former superintendents of our schools, the president of our teachers’ association, and neighbors from across the district.
Every one of these ran in the paper first. This page gathers them in one place, with full credit to each writer and to the Times — the edition date is on every card, so you can always go back to the print original.
| Writer | Background | Published |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Morehead, Forest Lake | Served 20 years on the Forest Lake school board | Letters, Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Linda Madsen, Forest Lake | Former Forest Lake Area Schools superintendent | Letters, Oct. 1, 2026 |
| Steve Massey, Forest Lake | Former Forest Lake Area Schools superintendent (retired June 2026) | School board letters (online), late Sept. 2026 |
| Amy Needham, Forest Lake | Community member | Letters, early Sept. 2026 |
| Jake Matheson, Chisago City | President, Forest Lake Education Association | Letters to the Editor, Aug. 20, 2026 |
| Every letter above appeared in the Forest Lake Times’ Open Forum during the 2026 school board race. | ||
Each card opens on our summary; flip to Full Letter for the writer’s own words as published in the Forest Lake Times.
Karen served on the Forest Lake school board for 20 years and still stays actively involved. She writes as a proud, lifelong conservative — and makes the case that a school board seat is a nonpartisan job: keep your values, then pick the best candidate for each role. Before recommending anyone, she talked personally with all six candidates. Her recommendation for November 3: Andi Courneya, Jill Christenson, and Claire Luger.
I have been known as a Reagan Republican since 1980 and I am still proud of my conservative values. That being said we have an opportunity to vote in Nov, in nonpartisan races. A nonpartisan race is where you keep your value system intact, but look for the best candidate for each job. We ALL want good streets, responsible spending, good parks and thoughtful growth. We all want our counties to reflect our values and, most importantly, we want our schools to provide a good quality education for all our students. Because these values are important to all of our neighbors, we must look to which of candidates would be best for these positions, not partisan politics. Because I served on the school board for 20 years and I still stay actively involved, and have personally talked with all six candidates, my recommendation for school board Nov. 3rd is Andi Courneya, Jill Christenson and Claire Luger.
— Karen Morehead, Forest Lake
As published in the Forest Lake Times, Letters (School Board Race), Oct. 1, 2026.
Dr. Madsen, a former superintendent of Forest Lake Area Schools, walks through what board service actually demands — time, commitment, hard decisions, and listening to the whole community — and then makes a candidate-by-candidate case: Andi’s data-engineering background and district committee work, Claire’s classroom experience and city council service, Jill’s record on the current board. She closes by calling the three the “compassionate, thoughtful, and dedicated leaders we need on the School Board.”
Serving as a school board member takes time, commitment, needed skills to make sound, and at times, difficult decisions, as well as the ability and willingness to listen to all community members.
Andi Courneya is a data engineer for a finance company which will add a wealth of knowledge to the school board. He serves on district committees. He engages with community members, at length, to hear their concerns as well as the successes of Forest Lake Area Schools.
Claire Luger is an educator in the White Bear School District and previously in the Forest Lake Area School District. She is a dedicated and skillful educator that will bring the daily challenges and joys educators, and all school staff, engage in daily. She is a member of the Wyoming City Council where she has served the community by listening, engaging, and clearly understanding the role of a public governing body and it's members. Jill Christianson has worked in the school district, raised her children in the community and school district, and currently serves on the School Board. She is a dedicated, hard working, and thoughtful school board member. Jill stands tall as she navigates what is best for students, families, school staff, and the community.
Andi Courneya, Claire Luger, and Jill Christianson are the compassionate, thoughtful, and dedicated leaders we need on the School Board as we cast our ballots on November 3.
— Linda Madsen, Forest Lake
As published in the Forest Lake Times, Letters (School Board Race), Oct. 1, 2026.
Our district’s just-retired superintendent writes that when people ask him who he’s voting for, he tells them: he’ll be enthusiastically voting for Jill Christenson, Claire Luger, and Andi Courneya. His reasons: their deep commitment to the district’s mission, real engagement with how schools actually operate, and passion for student learning. He describes them as nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and focused on moving the district forward — candidates who understand that a successful district pairs academics with athletics and a rich tradition in the arts, and who will bring order and productivity back to the board table.
Recently, I have been asked who I am voting for in the upcoming Forest Lake Area School Board election. First, I share that there are quality, upstanding individuals running to serve on the board. Then, I share that I will be enthusiastically voting for current board member Jill Christenson, along with Claire Lugar and Andi Courneya. I am supporting these three candidates because of their deep commitment to the district's mission, their engagement with school operations, and their passion for student learning. They are nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and focused on moving the school district forward. These three candidates understand that a successful school district offers an abundance of academic opportunities, a robust athletic program, and a rich tradition in the arts-including music, theater, and the fine arts. With this understanding, they will work tirelessly to preserve and advance the district's long history of excellence while promoting order and productivity at the board table.
— Steve Massey, Forest Lake · former Superintendent, Forest Lake Area Schools
As published by the Forest Lake Times (School board letters, online), late Sept. 2026. The paper’s editor’s note identifies the writer as the former Superintendent of Forest Lake Area Schools.
Amy writes about schools as communities, not just classrooms: students who feel seen, heard, and valued participate more, push themselves harder, and stay engaged. Every student walking into a Forest Lake school deserves to know there’s a place for them and that their voice matters. Through their work histories and volunteer service, she argues, Jill, Claire, and Andi have proven they believe all students matter — all of the time — and have shown the collaborative work between parents, community, and educators that student success requires.
Schools are more than places where students learn reading and math. Schools are communities where students develop confidence,build relationships, discover their strengths, and learn that they matter.
When students feel seen, heard and validated by the adults and peers around them, they are more likely to participate in class, academically challenge themselves, ask for help, and stay engaged in their learning. A student who feels that they belong is better positioned to focus on schoolwork and believe that success is possible.
Simply knowing that the adults in our school district welcome their ideas and value a variety of student interests and clubs can make an enormous difference. Every student attending Forest Lake Area Schools deserves to walk through the doors of their school knowing there is a place for them, that their voice matters, and that adults at school and the board table are committed to helping them succeed.
Through their work history, Jill Christenson, Claire Luger and Andi Courneya have proven that they are committed to and will follow through on their stance that all students matter, all of the time. Not only do they understand this, but they also understand the level of teamwork required for student success. These three candidates have demonstrated collaborative work between parents, community, and educators, through their public service positions and volunteer work. Please join me this November in voting them onto the Forest Lake Area School Board.
— Amy Needham, Forest Lake
As published in the Forest Lake Times, Letters (School Board Race), early Sept. 2026.
Writing as president of the Forest Lake Education Association, Jake announced FLEA’s formal endorsement of Jill Christenson, Andi Courneya, and Claire Luger. The association’s case: as the district faces big decisions about the future of public education, these candidates offer thoughtful leadership, integrity, and commitment; they value the expertise of teachers and school staff; and they believe the best decisions are made when the people working directly with students have a voice. They support safe, welcoming schools, high academic standards, and opportunities that prepare students for successful futures.
The Forest Lake Education Association proudly endorses Jill Christenson, Andi Courneya, and Claire Luger for the Forest Lake Area School Board.
As our district faces important decisions about the future of public education, we believe these candidates offer the thoughtful leadership, integrity, and commitment our students and community deserve. They understand that strong public schools are built through collaboration, respect, and a shared commitment to student success.
Jill, Andi, and Claire recognize the essential role educators play in helping students learn, grow, and thrive. They value the expertise of teachers and school staff and believe the best decisions are made when those working directly with students have a voice. Their willingness to listen, ask thoughtful questions, and consider diverse perspectives reflects the kind of leadership that strengthens trust and supports effective schools.
Most importantly, these candidates are committed to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. They support safe, welcoming schools, high academic standards, and educational opportunities that prepare students for successful futures. support safe, welcoming schools, high academic standards, and educational opportunities that prepare students for successful futures.
The Forest Lake Education Association is proud to support Jill Christenson, Andi Courneya, and Claire Luger because we believe they will serve our community with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to public education. We encourage voters to join us in supporting these outstanding candidates for the Forest Lake Area School Board.
— Jake Matheson, Chisago City · President, Forest Lake Education Association
As published in the Forest Lake Times, Letters to the Editor (School Board Race), Aug. 20, 2026. See also Ask Andi on the FLEA and FLAEP endorsements.
Want to add your voice? Letters to the Forest Lake Times Open Forum are accepted from district residents — or just talk to your neighbors.
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