Candidate profile: Matt Tabor, for school board

Matt Tabor is stepping up to the plate when it comes to the school board.

Born and raised in Austin, Tabor is one of nine Austin Public Schools board candidates to run this November. He will face eight other candidates for three open board seats.

“I’m looking to get involved in my children’s future,” Tabor said.

With one fifth-grader, one first-grader and a newborn, Tabor has plenty of connections to the district. He doesn’t have previous experience working on a board, something he said won’t hinder his fresh look on school issues.

“I’m younger, I’ll be 35 this year,” he said. “It’s just a fresh look.”

Among the issues Tabor hopes to learn more about is Austin’s academic achievement when it comes to state comprehensive testing.

“My biggest concern right now overall, with the new school going up, is test scores and academic achievement,” he said. “That’s lagging a little bit behind the surrounding communities.”

Minnesota Department of Education officials released last year’s scores under the new Multiple Measurements Ratings in May, as the new score system will replace Adequate Yearly Progress scoring under federal No Child Left Behind mandates.

Tabor is looking forward to the election and hopes to contribute to Austin’s education.

“I definitely think we’re heading in the right direction,” he said.