Re-elect Brian Thompson for Lakeville Area Schools ISD 194

I'm Brian Thompson, and I currently serve on the Lakeville Area School Board.


Since joining the Board, I have worked to bring greater transparency and accountability to district spending, push for measurable academic outcomes, and ensure decisions affecting our students, staff, and taxpayers reflect clear, common-sense priorities.


My focus has remained consistent: academic excellence, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and accountability to the families and community we serve.


I’m running for re-election to continue that work and keep Lakeville Area Schools moving forward.

My First Term Record

  • Helped navigate a $7 million budget shortfall
    Worked through difficult budget decisions while protecting the district’s long-term financial stability.


  • Strengthened district reserves from 0.7% to 8.3%
    Helped rebuild the General Fund toward our 10% target and a stronger financial position.


  • Created a School Board Finance Committee
    Strengthened Board-level oversight and accountability of district finances.


  • Introduced zero-based budgeting
    Required major administrative and support expenses to be justified from the ground up rather than automatically carrying prior-year spending forward.


  • Prioritized responsible spending and long-term planning
    Focused on sustainable finances, responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and making difficult spending decisions when necessary.

  • Made Academic Excellence a clear district priority
    Worked to keep student learning and achievement at the center of School Board decisions.


  • Established measurable academic goals
    Helped set a target of 90% student proficiency and increased the Board’s focus on measurable results.


  • Created an academic performance dashboard
    Established Board-level tracking of reading, math, graduation, ACT, AP, GPA, course failures, and other key student outcomes.


  • Strengthened School Board oversight of curriculum
    Pushed for greater scrutiny of curriculum, instructional materials, and the process used to approve them.


  • Focused decisions on measurable student results
    Advocated for leading indicators and regular performance data so problems can be identified earlier and progress can be measured over time.

  • Helped bring new leadership to the district
    Supported the hiring of Superintendent Michael Baumann to strengthen performance, culture, and accountability.


  • Required measurable Board and Superintendent goals
    Helped establish clearer expectations so progress and performance can be evaluated against actual results.


  • Pushed for greater transparency and public participation
    Advocated for public comment, open discussion, and greater scrutiny of significant Board decisions.


  • Strengthened parental involvement and accountability
    Advocated for parents to be informed and have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their children.


  • Protected the School Board’s oversight authority
    Worked to ensure elected Board members retain responsibility for major district decisions and remain accountable to voters.

How I Govern

My record on the Lakeville Area School Board reflects an active approach to governance and oversight. I ask questions, request additional information when needed, and challenge recommendations when I believe a decision deserves greater scrutiny.


My voting record has centered on three priorities: fiscal responsibility, academic achievement, and accountability. I have pushed for stronger financial oversight, measurable academic results, greater curriculum scrutiny, and clear expectations for district leadership.


That approach sometimes means voting in the minority. I believe a School Board member should be willing to cast a difficult vote when the facts warrant it. At the same time, many initiatives I have introduced or amended have ultimately earned broad or unanimous Board support.


Watch School Board Meetings

Vote Brian Thompson for Lakeville School Board

The Next Four Years

Academic Excellence

Every student deserves a strong academic foundation and the opportunity to reach their full potential.


My priorities include:

  • Clear, measurable academic outcomes
  • Regular reporting of student academic progress
  • Strong reading, math, science, and core academic instruction
  • Continued Board oversight of curriculum and instructional materials
  • Recognition of academic achievement and excellence
  • Using performance data to identify where students need additional support


Lakeville should be one of the highest-performing school districts in Minnesota.

Budget Responsibility

Strong schools require strong finances.


My priorities include:

  • Continuing to rebuild and protect district reserves
  • Responsible use of taxpayer dollars
  • Expanding zero-based budgeting and spending accountability
  • Connecting spending decisions to measurable student outcomes
  • Maintaining competitive compensation to attract and retain excellent teachers and staff
  • Long-term financial and facilities planning that protects taxpayers from unnecessary costs


Every dollar we spend should have a purpose.

Career and AI Readiness

The world our students are entering is changing rapidly. Our schools need to prepare students not only for college, but for careers, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and a workplace increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.


My priorities include:

  • AI literacy and responsible use of emerging technology
  • Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Expanded skilled-trade and technical pathways
  • Stronger healthcare, business, technology, and career programs
  • Partnerships with local employers and colleges
  • More opportunities for students to graduate with real-world experience, certifications, or college credit


Our students should graduate ready for whatever comes next.

Safe and Secure Schools

 Students learn best when they feel safe, supported, and able to focus on learning.


My priorities include:

  • Modern security practices at every school
  • Safe and orderly learning environments
  • Evidence-based student mental health support
  • Clear expectations for student behavior
  • Timely communication with parents
  • Continued review of policies and practices that affect student safety


Parents should be confident that when they send their children to school, their safety is a priority.

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Vote Thompson for 194

News

August 14th, 2026 


Brian Thompson is seeking reelection to the Lakeville Area School Board, pointing to progress during his first term in strengthening district finances, increasing accountability and focusing on measurable academic achievement.


“When I first ran, I believed the board needed stronger financial discipline, greater accountability and a sharper focus on student outcomes,” Thompson said in a press release. “We have made significant progress, but there is more work to do.”


During his first term, Thompson helped navigate the district through a roughly $7 million budget challenge in 2023. Since then, the district has rebuilt its general fund balance from approximately 0.7% to more than 8%, moving toward the School Board’s 10% target. Thompson also successfully proposed a zero-based budgeting review of administrative and support spending.

“Strong reserves protect our classrooms from disruptive cuts when enrollment, funding or unexpected costs change,” Thompson said. “We need to reach our 10% target while ensuring taxpayer dollars are focused on students.”


Thompson also points to leadership and accountability as a major responsibility of the next School Board. He supported the hiring of Michael Baumann as superintendent. Baumann’s contract expires in June 2027, meaning the next School Board will decide whether to retain him or select Lakeville’s next superintendent.


“That decision will help shape our district for years,” Thompson said. “The School Board needs to set clear expectations, measure results and hold district leadership accountable.”


Thompson said academic achievement has also been a priority for him. He said he successfully proposed expanding the School Board’s academic dashboard to track student growth in reading and math, MCA results, graduation rates, course failures, GPA, ACT and AP performance.


“If we want better academic outcomes, we have to measure them,” Thompson said. “We need to know where students are improving, where they are struggling and whether our strategies are working.”

Thompson also supported adding a dedicated executive director of teaching and learning to increase focus on curriculum, instruction and student achievement.


For his next term, Thompson said his priorities are academic achievement, budget responsibility, career and AI readiness, and safe and secure schools.


“My first term helped build the foundation,” Thompson said. “The next four years need to be about results and preparing students for a rapidly changing world shaped by AI, technology and evolving career opportunities.”


For more information, visit www.VoteThompsonfor194.com.


https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_thisweek/community/lakeville/brian-thompson-seeks-second-term-on-district-194-school-board/article_ee5e7467-09ea-4ed4-9f3a-c0d4a187f475.html

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