March 25, 2026
Sharing a little information on each of our school board candidates. Ballots should be in the mail soon!
First, our Candidates for a One Year Term - One Will be Elected
Dakota Baier
Dakota Baier is a proud sixth-generation resident of the Flathead Valley, deeply rooted in the values, traditions, and strong sense of community that define this region. As a young father of three children, with one more on the way, Dakota is personally invested in the future of local education. One of his daughters is currently a kindergartner at Lakeside Elementary, and his two younger children will also attend schools within Lakeside School District 29. For Dakota, serving on the school board is not just a civic opportunity—it is a commitment to the future of his own family and the broader community.
Professionally, Dakota manages properties throughout the valley with his wife Jasmine, a District 29 alumna, where he has developed strong skills in budgeting, long-term planning, maintenance oversight, and problem-solving. His work requires accountability, transparency, and the ability to balance competing priorities—qualities that directly translate to effective school board leadership. In addition, Dakota serves as a primary caregiver for his disabled brother, an experience that has strengthened his compassion, patience, and understanding of the unique challenges some families face within the education system.
Dakota believes that strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. He is passionate about supporting teachers, maintaining responsible financial stewardship, ensuring safe learning environments, and preserving the values that make the Flathead Valley special. As both a lifelong resident and a parent with a long-term stake in the district, he is committed to listening to families, respecting diverse perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions that prioritize students first.
Dakota seeks to serve on the school board to help build an educational environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where families feel heard, and where the community’s voice remains central to the direction of its schools.
Thanks again,
Dakota Baier
Shannon Jones
I am seeking to continue serving as a trustee for the Lakeside/Somers School District because I care deeply about our schools and the role they play in our community. My children, (4th and 6th graders) have been a part of the Lakeside/Somers school district for their entire school careers to this point. I have seen firsthand the difference our schools make in our children' s lives. I wanted to step into this role as a way to continue to serve the community, offer a grounded perspective, and support the teachers and students who make our schools what they are.
In addition to being a parent in the district, I spent about three years serving as a substitute teacher in our schools. That experience gave me a real look at what happens inside the classroom every day. I saw how hard our teachers work and how invested they are in their students. Many students are not only being educated in our schools, but also supported and cared for in ways that make a lasting difference in their lives.
My family and I have called Lakeside home for the past 13 years, and I care deeply about the character and future of this community. Through my work in real estate, I regularly speak with families who are making decisions about where to live and raise their children. I am proud to call Lakeside home and proud of our community.
As a trustee, I hope to bring a balanced perspective that reflects the voices of our community while also supporting the educators and staff working in our schools. I believe that strong schools help develop independent thinkers, responsible adults, and young people who can adapt to a changing world and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
I also believe that the school board should reflect the voices of the community it serves. Parents, educators and community members all care about our children and those perspectives matter.
My goal is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help ensure that Lakeside/Somers continues to be a district known for its quality and the care it shows its students.
First, our Candidates for a One Year Term - One Will be Elected
Dakota Baier
Dakota Baier is a proud sixth-generation resident of the Flathead Valley, deeply rooted in the values, traditions, and strong sense of community that define this region. As a young father of three children, with one more on the way, Dakota is personally invested in the future of local education. One of his daughters is currently a kindergartner at Lakeside Elementary, and his two younger children will also attend schools within Lakeside School District 29. For Dakota, serving on the school board is not just a civic opportunity—it is a commitment to the future of his own family and the broader community.
Professionally, Dakota manages properties throughout the valley with his wife Jasmine, a District 29 alumna, where he has developed strong skills in budgeting, long-term planning, maintenance oversight, and problem-solving. His work requires accountability, transparency, and the ability to balance competing priorities—qualities that directly translate to effective school board leadership. In addition, Dakota serves as a primary caregiver for his disabled brother, an experience that has strengthened his compassion, patience, and understanding of the unique challenges some families face within the education system.
Dakota believes that strong schools are the foundation of a strong community. He is passionate about supporting teachers, maintaining responsible financial stewardship, ensuring safe learning environments, and preserving the values that make the Flathead Valley special. As both a lifelong resident and a parent with a long-term stake in the district, he is committed to listening to families, respecting diverse perspectives, and making thoughtful decisions that prioritize students first.
Dakota seeks to serve on the school board to help build an educational environment where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where families feel heard, and where the community’s voice remains central to the direction of its schools.
Thanks again,
Dakota Baier
Shannon Jones
I am seeking to continue serving as a trustee for the Lakeside/Somers School District because I care deeply about our schools and the role they play in our community. My children, (4th and 6th graders) have been a part of the Lakeside/Somers school district for their entire school careers to this point. I have seen firsthand the difference our schools make in our children' s lives. I wanted to step into this role as a way to continue to serve the community, offer a grounded perspective, and support the teachers and students who make our schools what they are.
In addition to being a parent in the district, I spent about three years serving as a substitute teacher in our schools. That experience gave me a real look at what happens inside the classroom every day. I saw how hard our teachers work and how invested they are in their students. Many students are not only being educated in our schools, but also supported and cared for in ways that make a lasting difference in their lives.
My family and I have called Lakeside home for the past 13 years, and I care deeply about the character and future of this community. Through my work in real estate, I regularly speak with families who are making decisions about where to live and raise their children. I am proud to call Lakeside home and proud of our community.
As a trustee, I hope to bring a balanced perspective that reflects the voices of our community while also supporting the educators and staff working in our schools. I believe that strong schools help develop independent thinkers, responsible adults, and young people who can adapt to a changing world and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
I also believe that the school board should reflect the voices of the community it serves. Parents, educators and community members all care about our children and those perspectives matter.
My goal is to listen carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and help ensure that Lakeside/Somers continues to be a district known for its quality and the care it shows its students.