Marshall Public Schools Board of Education
The Mission of Marshall Public School District is to educate, support, and prepare all learners for success.
Matt Coleman
Board Chair
My wife Lori and I moved to Marshall in 1986. We raised 3 daughters who all graduated from Marshall High School and went on to college to start their careers and their families. We have 7 grandchildren spread out between St. Peter, West Fargo, and Blaine. I grew up on a farm in a small town in central Illinois. We raised corn, soybeans, wheat, beef cattle, and hogs. After high school I attended the University of Illinois and received a degree in Animal Science. I currently work as a hog procurement manager for Smithfield Foods.
My dad served on the school board when I was in grade school, and he always said everyone that pays taxes should serve on the school board at least once. Then you really see where your money is going. I have served on the Marshall board since 2006. I am very passionate about education and ensuring that our tax dollars are spent wisely. Lori and I love attending many Tiger events, home and away. My hobbies include tropical fish, reading, and watching Minnesota and Fighting ILLINI sports teams.
Sara Runchey
Board Vice Chair
I am a lawyer with the law firm of Runchey, Louwagie & Wellman, P.L.L.P., here in Marshall. I am a graduate of Marshall High School and attended the University of St. Thomas where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting in 1993. I went on and received my law degree from William Mitchell College of Law in 1996. I have been practicing law in Southwest Minnesota ever since.
I am married and have three children: Emma, AJ and Brianna. My husband, Jim Smalley, is a professor at Southwest Minnesota State University. All three of our children have been a part of the Marshall School District since pre-kindergarten. I am honored to serve as member of the Board for this District.
Jeff Chapman
Board Clerk
My wife Janet and I have made Marshall our home for 42 years. We have raised our three children, Melissa, Jessica, Joseph, in Marshall. All my children have been educated in the Marshall Public Education system.
I have served on the Marshall School Board since 2001. I strongly believe that the public education system is one of the greatest assets our great country offers. All people can prepare for the great American dream through education. It is my pleasure to serve our district by keeping public education strong and growing, to serve all learners.
Sara Brink
Board Treasurer
I was born and raised in Rural SW MN on a farm. My mom is a retired teacher and I have many fond memories of helping her decorate bulletin boards in her classroom during the summer for the upcoming school year. There were some hot afternoons spent in the classrooms while the air conditioning was turned off!
I am an SMSU alumni (to date myself a little, it was SSU at the time) with a degree in Business Finance. After college my husband and I spent the next 7 years living in different parts of the country traveling for his work. When our first child was born, we decided it was time to move back to SW MN where we could raise our family in a small community closer to family. We have two kids in the high school with our oldest set to graduate with the Class of 2024!
For the past 23 years I have worked in the financial planning industry meeting lots of great people in the places we lived. I take great pride in being a part of people’s lives to help them achieve financial success.
In my free time, I can be found at a local lake reading a book, spending time with my family, on the boat while the kids are out playing in the water or cheering on the kids at for whatever activity they are doing.
Mary Swanson
Board Director
I moved to Marshall in 1996 to attend college at SMSU and never left and now call Marshall, MN my home.
I grew up in Chaska, MN and both my parents worked in the public school system and taught us the importance of education and being involved in your community.
Currently, I am a Nursing Home Administrator for the Good Samaritan Society/Sanford in Westbrook. I have a bachelor’s in business management and marketing, a master’s degree in business administration and hold a Long-Term Nursing Home Administrators license.
My husband Travis and I have two children Payton who just graduated and is in her first year of college at SMSU and Brock who is a junior at the high school.
I look forward to working with the other board members and serving on the school board.
Timothy Van Moer
Board Director
I was born in Marshall and grew up in the area as I attending Milroy Public School through the fifth grade. Before sixth grade my family moved back to Marshall where I have called home ever since. After graduating from Marshall Public High School, I attended the University of Minnesota in Duluth. My working experience has been within Marshall in both public and private sectors. While working out here in Marshall I met my wife who is from Kenya and came here to attend Southwest Minnesota State University. Our oldest son got the joy of attending Southview Elementary School in its first year. Having attended Marshall Public Schools, going off to university and working within the community I feel that my experiences can help shine light on the strengths and challenges that our District faces as we prepare all learners to be successful citizens while meeting the needs of our community.