We will hold an election for five negotiators Voting for negotiators takes place next Thursday, December 22, 2022 via an anonymous Google Form that will be emailed out at 8 am.
Each candidate was asked to write a brief introduction for our general membership. Please review the information before the vote.
Bryan Fideldy 4th Grade teacher at East. Former Pres. and current VP of Local #1314. Helped negotiate 7 contracts in 3 different districts.
Carrie Thorvig I am currently a second grade teacher at East Rapids Elementary. I previously taught at Southwest, and title at Cohasset. I also have taught in Deer River and Greenway for a couple of years each. I have two boys who have gone through our school system, with one graduating last year and one in high school. I also serve on the building leadership team (BLLT), Staff Development, and am a member of the ISD 318 Endowment Committee (which is a non-district committee).
As both a parent and a staff member, the quality of education in 318 is important to me. Teachers are at the core of a quality education. Retaining and recruiting teachers is essential for our students’ success. The contract we offer is key to that recruitment and retention. I would be pleased and honored to serve on the negotiations team to help ensure a fair contract. Thank you for your consideration!
Melissa Ewen Hi! My name is Melissa Ewen. I have been a science teacher for 24 years. I presently teach IB/CITS and College Prep Chemistry at GRHS. I started negotiating in 2013. I have five rounds of negotiations experience and I have served as lead negotiator for all of those years. I believe that our unit members deserve the best possible contract during this next round. There is a lot of money sitting down at the state level and my hope is that our district will be seeing an infusion of that money that can translate into raises for our unit membership. It would be my pleasure to serve as a negotiator again.
James Scherping Teaching for 25 plus years, 7 in Grand Rapids. Taught and negotiated in three districts, held Union positions in all three districts and I am currently on the Fringe Benefit Committee.
Elise Sperling Anderson My name is Elise Sperling Anderson and I teach 9th and 10th grade social studies at Grand Rapids High School. I have been involved with many extracurriculars in my career, including coaching basketball, Student Council, Key Club, and various committees. I am interested in being a negotiator as a representative of teachers who are more in the beginning of their career as we continue to improve our schools and ISD 318 for the future. In our spare time, my husband, Eric, and I enjoy time with our dog, watching sports, and spending time with family.
Stuart Ostendorf I graduated from Bigfork in 2001. I got an associate degree from BSU. Then a bachelor of science in Construction Management with a minor in business from NDSU. I was doing construction in the Bigfork area, when I was informed that they were looking for a shop teacher in Bigfork. I applied and got the job. I went back to school at SCSU for my Tech Ed classes and BSU for my teaching classes. I'm currently a tier 3 teacher. This is my 9th year teaching.
Bill Kinnunen
1995 - Started teaching in ISD #318 - Now at the Area Learning Center. I also taught at the high school and middle school.
1991 - Started teaching in the St. Louis County School District #2142.
I have been a career union member and I believe the union is here to support and advance what previous negotiators have worked to achieve for us.
I have been fortunate to have negotiated several contracts in the past including the most recent round of negotiations.
Greg Spahn Greg Spahn has been teaching in 318 since 2009. He has held positions at Bigfork School and at Grand Rapids High School as a teacher and coach. He has also been involved in multiple district level committees, including the Technology Committee, Activities Council, and District and Building Leadership Teams. He also served as a negotiator during the last contract cycle. He looks forward to serving the teachers of 318 again.