“I just think that it’s important for all students, whether you’re a Democrat, or you’re Republican, or you’re an independent, or whatever party you are, that all students understand what the process is to be able to get involved to be an activist,” school board member Tina Riehle said. Riehle has been a member of the Stillwater community for the past 17 years and has additionally dedicated her time to being a part of the school board for the past three years. Riehle has taken a big step in her career by announcing on Feb. 16 that she will run for the 33B seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Due to redistricting of the state, the 33B seat now consists of towns in the Stillwater school district. The redistricting cut it down to make a smaller area representation.

“Because of the redistricting it now consists of Bayport, Oak Park Heights, Stillwater, Stillwater Township, May, Scandia and Marine,” Riehle explained. “It doesn’t hit the Forest Lake area, but it encompasses Lake Elmo, Grant, Woodbury and Baytown.”

In November of 2018, Riehle was elected onto the school board. From her experiences the past three years, she began to notice things that were in need of a change. From her position on the school board, she could see where things need to be tightened up legislatively. Certain qualities that she has gained throughout her years such as knowing how intricate things work, will be a benefit to her campaign.

“I have gained a lot of knowledge on policy, statute and finance in budgets and how everything is connected and works together. That same type of experience is what you practice in the House so you create new policies or accountabilities or whatever within your budgets and needs when you listen to the community to know what the community wants from you,” Riehle said.

Riehle brings a strong and determined personality to the table. One of Riehle’s biggest strengths is her acknowledgment of everyone in the school district and not just certain people. She understands people’s struggles just as much as their strengths.

Riehle’s husband, Mark, explained how she is likable and has a good sense of humor. He also added how he believes that she “reaches across the aisle better than most,” and expressed how she has a broader background, which will help her to understand the spectrum of issues that she might come across with the board.

One of Riehle’s main concerns is the kids in the district and making sure that their needs are being met. She expressed how one of her main goals, if elected, would be to focus on what the kids need.

 “There is a great need to make sure kids are getting their academic needs met so they can be successful after they graduate because if they don’t learn these things when they’re young, it’s very hard for them to have to go back and learn them when they’re an adult,” Riehle explained.

In addition to her goal of meeting students’ needs, she also would like them to get more involved in becoming activists. Getting students more invested in certain topics that the school board and state are dealing with could help them with certain things in their future.

“I think it would be very healthy for all of our kids to have an understanding of how they can become an adult that can motivate change,” Riehle said.

“It’s nice to see her doing the things that she enjoys,” Mark said. Riehle will continue to inspire people with all her hard work and showcase of making a change in not only the school district, but the state. She will focus on her campaigning journey until next November.

This story was originally published on The Pony Express on April 21, 2022.