Madd Medic Awakens, Stands UP, and Steps into Action to change the Political Landscape in His Backyard! 21 Grizzly Growl Salute!

Posted by Chad Teddy Bear Everson in October 2nd, 2008

School board: Budig ready to take action on Northfield News

School board: Budig ready to take action
By: DAVID HENKE, Staff Writer
Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 9:35 pm
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NORTHFIELD — One year ago, school board candidate Kevin Budig decided to take the political reins into his own hands.

“I finally decided that if I was going to complain about it, I should try to do something about it,” Budig said. “I decided I wanted to be more involved.”

KEVIN BUDIG

AGE: 51

FAMILY: wife, Katherine, and two children

EDUCATION: Associate’s degree from Austin Community College

OCCUPATION: Paramedic, EMS educator
Budig, a 51-year-old father of two, is one of eight Northfielders running for four seats on the Northfield School Board this year. He says his decision to get proactive locally prompted him to run for one of the open positions on the school board.

Currently, Budig is a full-time EMS educator at North Memorial Emergency Medical Services and an adjunct instructor at the Hennepin Technical College EMS Department, though he has served as a paramedic for 12 years in Northfield. He lives with his wife, Katherine, and two sons, Nate and Nik, who are both currently enrolled in Northfield schools.

Through his sons, and his own willingness to be a parent volunteer, Budig says he has grown familiar with the district and its needs.

“I’ve always been involved with my kids in school,” Budig said. “It gives me a feel for it.”

Budig describes himself as an organized go-getter, a fiscal watchdog and an advocate for teachers and students. For him, fiscal responsibility is paramount. If money is to be spent, he says, it should be spent primarily on classroom facilities, students and teachers.

“I think the biggest issue is that it’s always about money,” Budig said. “Are we spending the money wisely? Are we being fiscally responsible?”

Equality is also important to Budig. As a parent of a student that was once enrolled in a special needs program in the school district, he wants to ensure equal educational opportunities to all students, regardless of their learning abilities.

“I want the dollars that the taxpayers put in spent on our kids, and I want it to be fair and equitable across the board,” he said. “The kids are our most important resource. Are we giving them the opportunities to do their best?”

— David Henke can be reached at 645-1100.