Politics & Government

Candidate Profile: Gary Huusko

Gary Huusko is a candidate for re-election to the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.

Four candidates are running in the District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) School Board Election this year. There are three open spots on the board.

Patch asked the candidates about their experience, connection to the district and about the issues that they would focus on. Here is the response from current school board member and candidate Gary Huusko.

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What leadership experience do you have? 

I am currently on the ISD 196 School Board (2011 to present) and am Vice-Chair of the Capital Facilities and Finance Commission Board for the Minnesota Conference of The United Methodist Church, (1997 to present; Vice Chair 2002 to present). I am also a member of the Advisory Board for the Dakota County Technical College Institute for Business, Innovation & Entrepreneurship (2005 to present).  

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I’ve had leadership roles in a variety of organizations, including the Budget Advisory Council for Independent School District 196 (2004 to 2011; Co-Chair 2010 to 2011), the Board of Directors of The District 196 Foundation Incorporated (Board Chair 2008 to 2012; Board Member 2008 to 2012), the Eagan Rotary Club (member 2004 to present; Director of International Service 2011 to 2012; Board of Directors, 2011 to 2012; Fast for Hope Chair, 2008), the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce (Chamber member 1997 to present; Board of Directors, Chair 2006-2007; Board member 2004 to 2012), the Minnesota United Methodist Foundation, Inc. (Board of Directors 1995 to present), the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, (Chamber member 1997 to 2013; Board of Directors 1999 to 2002; Chair, 2001), the Advisory Planning Commission for the City of Eagan (1998 to 2003; Chair 2002 to 2003), the Apple Valley Rotary Club (1997 to 2004; President 2002 to 2003; Centennial Project Committee Chair, 2003 to 2004), the Eagan Foundation, Inc. (Board Member 1999 to 2004; Chair, 2002 to 2003), and I was the Assistant District Governor for Rotary District 5950, Area 2 (Apple Valley, Burnsville, Burnsville Breakfast and Eagan Rotary Clubs; 2005 to 2009).  

I’ve served on the Eagan Citizens’ Crime Prevention Association (Board Member 2009 to 2011), the Northern Dakota County Chamber Foundation (Board Member 2003) and the Northern Dakota County Chamber Foundation Task Force (2002).  I’ve also been an Eagan Athletic Association Coach of track, girls’ softball, boys’ basketball, boys’ baseball and boys’ soccer.

What other relevant experience do you have? 

As an experienced attorney and community leader, I am recognized for my ability to work together with and interact effectively with a wide range of people and business leaders.  My leadership and interpersonal skills have led me to being elected to leadership roles in most organizations I have joined. These skills are vitally important for school board members who work closely together developing policies and who interact with a wide range of people, including district administration, teachers and other district employees, parents, students, legislators and community residents. I also have knowledge and experience in the budgeting process and in school finance, and have been a member of the District’s Audit and Finance Committee and Legislative Committee for the past two years. 

What is your occupation? 

I am an attorney with Dakota Law, PLLC in Lakeville, practicing in the Intellectual Property field, which includes patents, trademarks, copyrights and licensing and transactional work relating to those areas.  My practice also includes all aspects of corporate law.

Where did you go to school? 

I graduated from Aurora-Hoyt Lakes high school (Aurora, MN); received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota – Duluth, and received a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law (St. Paul, MN).  I also took the equivalency of courses for a B.S. degree in the hard sciences to qualify for and pass the Examination for Registration to Practice Before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in patent cases (University of Minnesota – Twin Cities campus). 

Do you have a spouse, children or any other family members you’d like to tell voters about? 

I’ve been married for 32 years and live in Eagan with my wife, Laurie, and my son, Tyler (a senior at Eagan High School).  I have a 21 year old daughter, Tara, who graduated from EHS and is currently a junior at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  

What is your connection to District 196? 

We have lived in Eagan since 1995 and moved from Minneapolis because of the reputation of District 196. Both of my children have been educated in District 196 schools, elementary through high school. I’ve volunteered throughout my children’s education at their respective schools.  In addition to being a current school board member and member of the District’s Audit and Finance Committee and Legislative Committee, and past member and co-chair of the District’s Budget Advisory Council, I have also served on the Independent School District 196 Strategic Planning Committee (2011).

What issues are you most focused on? 

The two primary issues that the District is facing are funding and the achievement gap.  Funding continues to be a challenge due to under-funded mandates, inconsistent and insufficient funding from the legislature and the rising costs of providing a quality education for our students. I will continue to communicate with our legislators to impress upon them the need for more stable and adequate education funding and will continue to work to provide the best education opportunities for our students within our budget constraints. I will also continue to support our administration, staff and teachers in developing programs to reduce and eliminate the achievement gap, including engaging parents and children early in the process and seeking ways to ensure those students are successful at every grade level.

Why should voters choose you? 

I’d like the opportunity to continue to work with the Board and Administration to maintain the high achievement standards of District 196 students, ensure educational opportunities and advancement for all students, and provide positive future opportunities for all students, all within the constraints of a responsible budget. I have more experience and knowledge than the non-incumbent candidate, am fiscally responsible, and take a reasoned and rational approach to address and solve problems and issues facing our District. I will work tirelessly to provide our students with the best education opportunities available while utilizing our resources responsibly.


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