2026 School Board Election

The filing dates for Shakopee Public Schools November 3, 2026 General Election was as follows: July 14, 2026 until July 28, 2026. The filing period is now closed. Information listed below is for informational purposes only.

Individuals interested in becoming a School Board Member must file an Affidavit of Candidacy (found below) and pay a $2 filing fee (cash, exact change - please do not mail cash) during the above filing period. There are two ways to file during the noted period. 

• In-Person at the District Office 
  • Located at 1200 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee, MN 55379. The District Office will be open 8:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday - Thursday, during the filing period. There will be extended hours of 8:00AM - 5:00PM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. If the filing officer is not present to accept the filing form, the form must be notarized. 
• By Mail
  • Send the complete form and filing fee to the address below. A completed form, which includes a live signature, notary stamp and filing fee, must be received by 5:00PM on Tuesday, July 28, 2026.
    • Shakopee Public Schools, ℅ Superintendent’s Office, 1200 Shakopee Town Square, Shakopee, MN 55379

Important Reminders: Please note that the Affidavit of Candidacy must be notarized and filled out completely; name pronunciation forms are appreciated but not required. Email Affidavit of Candidacy forms cannot be accepted. A copy of your filing application (affidavit of candidacy) will be provided as well as a cash receipt. Each Affidavit of Candidacy will be provided by the district to Scott County at the close of each business day. Scott County manages candidate website postings directly. A campaign finance report certificate of filing must be submitted after the election; see below for additional details. Questions can be directed to communications@shakopee.k12.mn.us 

Candidates for an elected school board office must:

• be eligible to vote in Minnesota
• be at least 21 years old upon assuming office
• have maintained residence in their district for at least 30 days before the general election
• have not filed for another office at the upcoming primary or general election (unless authorized by Minn. Stat. 367.033)
• have not been convicted of an offense for which they are required to register as a predatory offender under Minn. Stat. 243.166
• School board members are elected to 4-year terms and take office the first Monday in January (M.S. 123B.09, Subd. 1).
• By law, (M.S. 123B.09, Subd.1) the school boards in Minnesota are made up of either 6 or 7 members. Some exceptions have been created by special legislation, often for consolidated districts.

Four (4) School Board seats open for the November 3, 2026 General Election:

• Caroline Valdez
• Kristi Peterson
• Chad Johnson
• Joe Aldrich

The Shakopee Chamber of Commerce will once again conduct candidate video interviews in late summer/early Fall. A Chamber facilitated debate will be available should more than four (4) candidates file for office. 

A candidate who has filed for office may remove their name from the ballot by filing an affidavit of withdrawal. Candidates may withdraw within the filing period, or by 5:00PM within two days of the end of the filing period. The affidavit of withdrawal is filed with the school district clerk. The 2026 withdrawal period is now closed.

The final candidates for the four (4) Shakopee Public Schools Board seats on the November 3, 2026 General Election ballot are listed below in filing order:

• Kristi Peterson (current Board Chair)
• Caroline Valdez (current Board Clerk)
• Janet Johnson (new candidate)
• Chad Johnson (current Board Member)
• Douglas Witherington (new candidate)

Click here for voting information: pollfinder.sos.mn.gov/

Information on the candidates will be added to this page once available from the Shakopee Chamber.