I'm Chris Lee — born and raised right here in Owatonna, Class of '98. I've spent my career in two fields that matter directly to this board: technology and public safety.
For over 17 years I've worked in IT, and I currently serve on Federated Insurance's Information Services Charitable Activities Committee, where I helped lead a fundraising effort that raised over $20,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota this year.
My public safety background runs deep. I started as a Maplewood Police Reserve Officer in 2007 and worked my way through loss prevention and security roles before becoming a Community Service Officer with Owatonna PD. I went on to become a licensed police officer serving West Concord, Waterville, New Richland, and the Prairie Island Indian Community. While with Waterville Police Department, I served as School Resource Officer for the Waterville‑Elysian‑Morristown School District — meaning I've sat in the building, worked with staff and students, and seen firsthand what keeps a school safe and what it takes to build trust with kids.
Today I serve on ISD 761's Transportation Safety Advisory Committee, and I'm the single father of two — Rosie and Ivar — who I hope will benefit directly from the work I want to do on this board.
I'm not looking to bring an agenda to Owatonna schools. I'm looking to bring what I already know — from the classroom hallway to the budget spreadsheet — to the table where these decisions get made.
I don't just support school safety — I've worked it. As School Resource Officer for the WEM School District, I spent my days inside a school building, building relationships with students and staff and seeing firsthand what actually keeps kids safe, beyond policy on paper. I currently serve on ISD 761's Transportation Safety Advisory Committee, where that hands-on experience continues.
Every student deserves high standards and the support to meet them — not a one-size-fits-all approach. I want to make sure teachers have what they need in the classroom, students who need extra support get it early, and high performers are still being challenged.
After last November's levy referendum didn't pass, our district is facing real budget cuts. Families deserve a board member who can read a budget line by line and be straight with taxpayers about where every dollar goes before asking for more.
Strong schools don't happen in isolation — they happen when local employers, nonprofits, and families work together. I've helped build that kind of partnership through Federated's charitable giving work, and I want to bring that same collaborative approach to the board table.
Have a question about where I stand, or want to help out? I'd love to hear from you.
Fill out the form below and I'll get a sign to you.