Re-Elect Jessica Dressely for School Board
For the past five years, Jessica Dressely has proudly served the Hastings community as a member of the ISD 200 School Board. Throughout her service, she has remained focused on the core responsibilities voters elected her to fulfill: providing strong governance and oversight, establishing high expectations, ensuring accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent, and making decisions that prioritize student achievement and success.
Message from the Candidate:
During my time on the board, I have had the privilege of working alongside knowledgeable and passionate board members, world-class administrators and two of Minnesota’s most talented, dedicated, and respected superintendents. Together, we have approached this work with a shared commitment to improving outcomes for students.
Strong governance creates the conditions for excellent schools! As a board, we have worked to provide a governance framework that establishes clear direction, advances academic excellence, supports high-quality curriculum and instruction, safeguards public resources, maintains accountability, and ensures that every decision serves the interests of students.
We have not always agreed, nor should we be expected to. Different perspectives and thoughtful discussion are important parts of effective governance. We respect one another, ask thoughtful questions, carefully consider the information and perspectives before us, and work together to make decisions. Even when our viewpoints differ, we remain committed to respectful dialogue, responsible decision-making and keeping students at the heart of all we do!
I am proud to have played an active role in the work we have accomplished. From strengthening our policy review process and improving transparency to creating the Board Member Handbook and establishing clearer governance procedures. I have worked to put strong systems in place that support effective board governance and allow us to remain focused on what matters most: providing students with an excellent education and meaningful opportunities that prepare them for success.
I Believe:
- Academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and accountability are not competing priorities. They are commitments we owe to students, parents, educators, administrators, and taxpayers.
- Effective governance does not happen by accident. It requires asking difficult questions, establishing clear expectations, adopting sound policies and procedures, ensuring transparent operations, and making informed decisions based on what is in the best interests of students. It also requires consistency, accountability, and a willingness to do the hard work.
- Putting students at the heart of every decision requires both high expectations and meaningful opportunities. It means supporting high-quality curriculum and instruction, expanding Pathways opportunities that prepare students for college, careers, and their futures, and maintaining safe and welcoming learning environments where every student has the opportunity to achieve their personal best.
There is Still Important Work Ahead
Although we have made meaningful progress in setting high expectations for student achievement and strengthening accountability for student outcomes, there is still important work ahead. That is why I am asking for your vote on November 3, 2026.
I bring proven leadership, a clear understanding of the board’s governance role, and the experience needed to make informed decisions that improve student outcomes and expand opportunities for students to explore their interests, build their knowledge and skills, and graduate prepared for what comes next.