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Linsey McMurrin ran for school board in her local community because she felt it was time to “step up” to fill a leadership position within her community. 

McMurrin was the top vote-getter in a field of eight candidates who ran for the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School Board, a rural school district located in north-central Minnesota.  

She said she was inspired to run for school board when she moderated a school board candidate forum more than 20 years ago as a senior in high school while serving as president of the student council.  

“I didn’t feel like the answers I heard necessarily represented the issues that affect my community,” McMurrin said. 

As results of the 2024 election came in on Wednesday, she says her reaction to her own race was mixed. She had hoped for a different outcome in the presidential election. 

“It’s bittersweet that I was able to win my race. I am not sure if I am even able to acknowledge that yet today,” said McMurrin. 

McMurrin, who lives in Walker, is a citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Part of the WHA school district is located within the boundaries of the Leech Lake reservation. According to McMurrin, Indigenous students have traditionally made up as much as one-third of the district’s students. 

McMurrin’s two sons attend school in the district. Her oldest is in the 8th grade, her younger student is a 3rd grader. In addition to her own children, McMurrin says her mother has been a big part of the reason she chose to run for school board. 

Her mom Laura worked for the district for 28 years, first as a cook and later as a paraprofessional. 

“She’s always been an inspiration to me,” McMurrin said. 

McMurrin is not the first Indigenous person to be elected to the WHA School Board. Another Leech Lake citizen, Vicki White, has served on the board for more than two decades. A veteran of the WHA school board, White was selected as a member of the All-State School Board last year. White ran for the board again this year but was not reelected. McMurrin said she and White had a long conversation Wednesday morning. 

McMurrin said she wants people across the district to know she is there to listen. 

“School board is a non-partisan position, and we need to ensure our whole community feels represented and heard,” she said. 

Barbara Sherman, Luke Skywalker McGregor and Michael Anderson were also elected to the WHA board. School board members serve a four-year term. 

Melissa Olson

Author

Linsey McMurrin once moderated a school board forum as class president. Now she’s been elected to serve on her local school board.

From class president to school board, one Minnesotan reflects on her journey to office

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