Hello, my name is John Syvertson and I became a Thief River Falls School board member in 2023. I moved here in 2011 and although I did not grow up here, my wife Tanya and I choose to raise our two children Jude and Nora here where they are getting a fantastic education and surrounded by family and friends in a great community.

I currently serve on the Athletics & Activities, ECFE, Facilities, Finance, Strategic Planning, Transportation and Wellness Committees for the School Board. 

I am a Vice President and Lender at Northern State Bank in Thief River Falls and have been in banking for 18 years. My amazing wife Tanya worked as a Special Education Teacher for 12 years including 7 years with Thief River Falls Public Schools. She is currently an Assistant Special Education Director at Area Special Education Cooperative. Tanya and I both highly value education at its core. Since I have joined this community, I have worked hard to immerse myself into it and I am passionate about making Thief River Falls the best it can be. I am currently on the board of the Advance Thief River, Rotary, Falls Under 40 and the TRF Housing Authority. I want my children to be proud of the hometown they were born and raised in but I also want to make a positive impact in the lives of all children which is what drove me to want to be on the Thief River Falls School Board.

Serving on many boards, I have learned the importance of collaboration. Collaborating with fellow board members, teachers, administrators and staff is crucial to ensure that everyone can bring their own expertise and strengths to the table to accomplish a common goal. I believe that goal is to ensure all children in the district have the best opportunity to learn and succeed. As a banker, I look at financials and find solutions to assist businesses and farms to help them prosper. The school is in the business of helping children prosper and I want to ensure they have as many resources as can be provided while also being fiscally responsible. I will continue to work hard to make our district, our community and most importantly our children Prowler Proud!