Forum Set for Three Candidates Running in St. Cloud School Board Special Election

(KNSI) — The League of Women Voters St. Cloud Area is hosting a candidate forum Tuesday evening for the three candidates running in this fall’s St. Cloud Area School District Board of Education special election.

The forum is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the District 742 Administration Office, located at 1201 2nd Street South in Waite Park. The event will be recorded live on YouTube and can be viewed later via a link on the district website.

Gina Acevedo, Al Dahlgren, and Peter Hamerlinck will answer written questions submitted in advance. They are all running for the seat left vacant by Bruce Hentges, who stepped down early due to health reasons. Dahlgren, who narrowly lost re-election to his seat last cycle, was appointed to fill in earlier this year.

Acevedo is a Cultural Sensitivity and Health Equity Supervisor for CentraCare, according to her LinkedIn page. She is “passionate about championing health equity and creating innovative solutions to support diverse and underserved communities.” She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of South Florida.

Dahlgren was first elected to the board in November 2012 and won another term in 2016 and 2020. He owns and operates Once Upon a Child in Waite Park, according to Ballotpedia. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business Management from the University of Minnesota.

Hamerlinck is a local real estate agent who also served on the board from 2011 to 2014, losing to Hentges, who had dropped out of the race but was elected anyway and filled the seat. He also ran in 2016 and 2018. Hamerlinck has served the district in other ways, including on the activities committee and legislative committee. He was also the athletic director, but his contract was not renewed in 2021. Hamerlinck holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from St. Cloud State University.

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