With 10 candidates this year, I’m sure a lot of people are wondering which candidates to vote for. For me, there are two candidates who have gone above and beyond to prove they are the two best for the job.

Aaron Phillips and Sonjia Hill both have young children in the district, so they are in it for the long haul. They both have older children in the district, so they are aware of what has been happening the last several years. They have attended board meetings, met with administration and visited with teachers and community members, so they have a good grasp on the climate of the district.

Both Sonjia and Aaron will be a voice for the teachers, community and students. They will have an open mind, hold the superintendent accountable and question ideas that they don’t think are in the best interest of our children. Our district needs to be a place where students, teachers, board and community members alike should be able to communicate and share their ideas, and even disagree without the fear of being put down or shut down. They believe in standing up for what you believe in and standing against what you feel is wrong. By listening to the community and working with fellow board members and administration, they will be part of the solution of rebuilding the trust and transparency in the district that many feel is lacking.

This is not a job that either one will take lightly. They are both hard workers and will do all the research necessary to make an informed decision on any policy or program before it is approved. I believe that Aaron and Sonjia will do their best to involve the community in financial discussions and decisions and will work hard to do what’s fiscally best for the district. They will seek input from the community on any financial decisions that would involve taxpayers’ money.

These are two candidates I can say with 100 percent certainty will fight for the children of this district and make sure they get the best education possible. To find out more about them, go to Facebook and search for Sonjia Hill for Albert Lea School Board and Aaron Phillips for Albert Lea School Board. Please consider voting for them this November.

Tom Sorenson

Albert Le