White Bear Lake School Board Member Dan Skaar says he has tried emails, letters and motions from the board table to get issues ranging from student safety to district finances placed on the agenda.
More often than not, he says, the answer has been no — when he gets an answer at all.
“I’m not even asking them to agree,” Skaar told Alpha News. “I’m just asking, let’s have a discussion about it.”
The frustration spilled into public view during the board’s Aug. 24 work session.
“Chair, I’d like to respond,” Skaar said.
“We don’t have anything in front of us,” Board Chair Scott Arcand replied.
Skaar pushed back.
“I made 11 requests via email. None of them have been honored,” he said. “I’ve made 19 requests to add agenda items at this meeting. Zero have been honored. Zero.”
“OK, thank you,” Arcand responded. “So, if we could get back to the agenda at hand.”
Skaar also provided Alpha News with a personal inventory of 29 motions and agenda-related requests he says he has made since April 2025. According to his records, many of those efforts died without another board member willing to second them.
The subjects have included livestreaming public comments, enrollment procedures, academics, student safety, district property sales, financial oversight and board governance.
Skaar was careful to emphasize that he was speaking for himself — not for the board, district or district staff. And he resisted putting a political label on the divide.
“It’s not supposed to be political, and I’m not going to say it’s political,” he said.
“It’s a 6-to-1,” Skaar said of his position on the seven-member board.
‘I need a second’
Under White Bear Lake’s board rules, members may request that items be placed on an upcoming agenda through the board chair. The district also follows Robert’s Rules of Order when they do not conflict with state law or the board’s own rules.
For Skaar, the problem often comes when he tries to raise an issue from the board table.
“Under Robert’s Rules, in order for me to get an agenda item, or to talk about anything, to discuss anything on the board, you need a second,” he said. “So if you don’t get a second, then it’s not discussed.”
Skaar said he has served on other boards where members would typically second a colleague’s motion simply to allow a discussion, regardless of whether they ultimately supported it.
“If a board member thinks it’s important, they were duly elected by their constituency,” he said. “They should be allowed to bring it up.”
Clash with superintendent led to censure
Skaar’s relationship with district leadership became particularly contentious following the 2025 revelation that a 22-year-old man had enrolled at White Bear Lake Area High School and attended classes for several weeks.
Skaar publicly criticized the district’s handling of the case and called for new leadership.
Months later, that conflict culminated in a formal censure.
Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak filed a complaint against Skaar in March, prompting the board to authorize an outside investigation.
Attorney Mick Waldspurger concluded that Skaar violated the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Open Meeting Law and district policies in connection with his handling and public disclosure of allegations involving the superintendent.
Skaar disputed those conclusions.
On May 18, five board members voted to censure Skaar. The resolution warned that similar future conduct could lead the board to initiate proceedings seeking his removal.
🚨 WATCH: The White Bear Lake school board voted to censure conservative board member Dan Skaar after he criticized Superintendent Wayne Kazmierczak
"What's happening now is retaliation against a board member who refused to sit quietly while those in charge operate the district… pic.twitter.com/KBDktPW1VQ
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) May 20, 2026
Skaar’s records show that he twice attempted May 18 to move censure-related matters from a work session to a regular public meeting but neither motion received a second.
Skaar told Alpha News he doesn’t know whether his criticism of the superintendent contributed to the resistance he says he encounters from other members.
“That could be,” Skaar said. “You could ask Chair Arcand about that.”
Alpha News did.
Board Chair Scott Arcand did not respond to questions about Skaar’s allegations, including whether the censure or Skaar’s previous criticism of Kazmierczak has affected how his agenda requests are handled.
Skaar noted, however, that his difficulty getting matters before the board predates the controversy over the superintendent.
‘I’m asking questions’
Despite the increasingly public friction, Skaar resisted putting a partisan label on himself or the divide on the board.
“I’ve never said I’m conservative,” he said. “On the board we’re supposed to be nonpartisan here.”
Instead, Skaar said his priorities are academics, enrollment, transparency and district finances.
“That’s all I’m doing,” he said. “I’m asking questions about that and I’m asking for discussion on that. That’s all I’m asking for. I’m not asking for agreement.”
Skaar characterized the pattern as “suppression of free speech,” arguing that it prevents a duly elected board member from fully representing the people who put him there.
For now, he said, he plans to keep asking the questions — whether anyone seconds them or not.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
