Kim Friesen, superintendent of Mountain Lake Christian School, has voiced concerns about the impact of Gov. Tim Walz’s policies on education in rural Minnesota. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Friesen, a resident of rural Minnesota for over 20 years, stated that she believes Walz’s approach has “broken trust” with the rural population.
Friesen specifically cited the challenges rural communities faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing out that Walz’s policies failed to consider the unique difficulties faced by these areas. “The majority of the thinking that Governor Walz did was all Metro. He didn’t consider some of the unique problems that we face in rural Minnesota, for example, connectivity,” she said. Friesen highlighted the difficulties rural families encountered in complying with online learning mandates due to limited internet access.
“Rural Minnesota really suffered during that time,” she added. “I don’t think he cared for all his people well. He cared for the center of our state. North, south, rural, east and west, we did not get his attention, and we deserved his attention.”
Friesen expressed concerns about Walz’s approach to governing, stating that she believes his policies are “very self-focused rather than people-focused.” She emphasized the need for a leader who “is going to be us focused” and who understands the needs of all Minnesotans. “He needs to know his people better. And if he’s not willing to do it in a state, how can he do it for the nation?”
Looking ahead to a potential Harris-Walz administration, Friesen expressed concern that the policies enacted in Minnesota under Walz’s leadership could be mirrored on a national level. She cited Walz’s support for transgender rights, including his signing of an order making Minnesota a “trans refuge state,” which allows minors from other states to receive transgender surgical procedures and hormone prescriptions.
“His ideas on allowing children or encouraging children from other states to come for transgender surgery or therapy, it just breaks my heart,” Friesen said. “It rips parents’ authority away. And I don’t believe that’s God’s design. God gave children to parents, not to the government.”
Friesen concluded by stating that she believes neither Harris nor Walz are ready to lead the nation, citing their lack of experience and their “distorted views” on how to move forward. She expressed particular concern about their stance on social issues, which she believes could have negative consequences for both Minnesota and the nation.
