In the October 5 candidate Q&A section, Nicole Johnson was mistakenly noted as running for La Crescent School Board. She is in fact a candidate for Houston School Board.
We apologize for the error. Please see her Q&A responses below.
Nicole Johnson
Candidate for Houston School Board
1. Tell us about yourself.
My name is Nicole (Nickki) Johnson. I grew up in the Winona area and moved to Houston when I married my husband Marc. Our daughter currently attends Houston Public Schools, and I’ve been involved with the district since she was young, starting as a participant together in ECFE. I love attending local sporting and fine arts events to cheer on and support the Hurricanes. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration – Computer Information Systems and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance.
2. Why are you running for office?
My initial goal when running for the school board four years ago was to get involved in the district our daughter attends — to have a vested interest in the decisions being made and ensure they supported students’ educational needs. That reason still holds true today. With the recent hiring of our new superintendent, we’re turning a new page in the district. I’m hopeful I can bring greater visibility and transparency to the community around district operations, continue building partnerships, and strengthen our fiscal responsibility.
3. What do you hope to accomplish if you get elected?
I‘m focused on managing our budget as carefully as I would my own money — ensuring every dollar supports students’ success while preparing them for their futures and the communities they’ll help build. I want our onsite and MNVA schools to keep attracting students through smaller class sizes and career-focused courses like EMT, CNA, heavy machine operations, and agriculture. I’ll continue building transparency to encourage ongoing involvement in district issues and decisions, and to celebrate our successes. I’m committed to advocating for students, teachers, staff, and community by asking questions that ensure we understand every decision’s impact.
Due to a glitch in the process, the below Q&A was not published in the October 5 issue of the Fillmore County Journal.
Aaron Bishop
Candidate for Fillmore Central School Board
1. Tell us about yourself.
I grew up just south of Harmony and graduated from Fillmore Central in 2009. After graduating with a geology degree from the University of Hawaii, at Hilo, I returned to Harmony to co-manage the family business. My wife, Amy, and I are beginning (always learning) farmers, and we live on our farm in Harmony Township. I believe quality education is a foundational pillar of our democratic republic. The inalienable rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness are intrinsically linked with the ability to think critically, understanding our history, and being afforded the opportunity to learn how to learn.
2. Why are you running for office?
When elected to the school board in 2020, I sought to provide our teachers and staff with the resources and tools required to support the students of this district. Teaching is a courageous act. Consider some responsibilities as a parent: keep your child safe, engaged, and respectful towards themselves and others. Teachers must do this and much more with entire classes of children. Every. Day. I intend to further support our teachers’ needs as they continue to accomplish the impossible while ensuring the tax dollars of district residents are used wisely
3. What do you hope to accomplish if you get elected?
If elected to the Fillmore Central School Board, I would like to work with and complement the skillsets of the other members. Committees that I would be interested in serving on include: curriculum, budget, and staff development among others. I will work to keep the curriculum relevant and engaging. It is important to find the balance between ensuring the taxpayers’ dollars are being used responsibly and having the resources to prepare our next generation. I will work to help ensure that our students, staff, and parents are getting the help and resources they need. I’d be grateful for your vote.
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