Knowledge, Experience, Commitment
As the current School Board Chair, and having served on the Minnetonka School Board for the last 4 years, I believe I am in a unique position to continue to serve the community, the staff and most importantly the children to whom we have been given the responsibility to educate.
My Knowledge
- Extensive knowledge regarding the finances of the Minnetonka School District
- Extensive knowledge on the programs-both new and existing
- Understanding of the role of the Board in driving policy, setting annual priorities and overseeing the work of the superintendent and staff
- Knowledgeable about the need to listen, carefully deliberate and drive decisions based on data, the impact to the district and what is best for the students
My Experience
- Current School Board Chair
- Elected to the School Board in 2007
- Member, Citizen’s Finance Advisory and Audit Committee (2000-2007)
- Involved in two Minnetonka Schools Strategic Planning efforts
- 2003 Strategic Plan-Action Team Lead
- 2006 Minnetonka Strategic Plan-Finance Action Team member
- I have attended all but 1 school board meeting in the last 4 years
- I have served on committees as Board liaison
- I have attended many staff, student and other school-sponsored events in addition to required board meetings.
- My husband and I have lived in Minnetonka District for 12 years.
- I have been an active volunteer in the Minnetonka Schools since 2000
Professional Career
- 2008-2011 Director at UnitedHealthcare-Medicaid Division
- 2005-2008 UnitedHealthcare-Commercial Insurance Division
- 2001-2005 Executive Director-WAMSO-Minnesota Orchestra Volunteers Association 1994-1995-1999Director, New Business Development; Redwood Health Services, Santa Rosa, CA
- 1984-1995 Various Positions involving program development, community needs assessment and building coalitions of service providers related to health and social services. Northern California
Community Involvement
- 2002-present Member- Wooddale Church
- 2005-present Member of the Board of Directors-Children’s Hospital-Minnetonka
- 2000-2006 Volunteer/Parent, Bennett Family Park
- 2007-2010 Team Parent for the MHS Gymnastics Team
- 2004-2009 Contributor to the Minnetonka Diamond Club
- 2008-present Contributor to the Curtain Call Club
Education
- 1981 Bachelor of Arts-Political Science Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa
- 1984 Masters, Hospital/Healthcare Administration University of Minnesota, School of Public Health
About Me and My Family
- Graduated from Hopkins Lindbergh in 1977 (Karen Westgate)
- Married to Bill Walkowski
- Son, Ian: graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2007 and is majoring in Business/Finance at St. Cloud State University
- Daughter, Leah: graduated from Minnetonka High School in 2010 and is studying pre-med at University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Both Children attended Scenic Heights Elementary and MME prior to attending Minnetonka High School
Prepared and paid for by the Committee to Re-Elect Karen Walkowski, Dolly Schmidt - treasurer www.karen4tonka.com