Sean Thomas

Common Sense for Forest Lake Area Schools

Running for School Board · ISD 831
Forest Lake Class of 2001 · District Fire Chief · Youth sports coach
Husband to Alyssa & father of four · Avid Rangers fan
Focused on opportunity, strong curriculum, and raising independent, confident students.

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Sean Thomas with his wife Alyssa and their four children on the Forest Lake Rangers field

Why I’m Running

1. Leave Politics Out of the Classroom

Schools should focus on learning — not political or social battles.

2. Great Curriculum & Opportunities

Strong academics and real paths for every student to succeed.

3. Safe Schools

Kids and staff deserve to feel safe and be safe.

About Sean

Sean Thomas in Forest Lake Fire Department uniform with his wife Alyssa

Sean Thomas is a lifelong Forest Lake community member and a 2001 graduate of Forest Lake Area Schools. After high school he attended the University of Minnesota Duluth, studying secondary education in geography and history with a minor in coaching. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University, graduating magna cum laude.

Sean serves as a District Chief with the Forest Lake Fire Department, where he has served for more than two decades. He is a year-round youth sports coach — football, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer — and also announces Forest Lake football games from elementary through high school. He is an avid Forest Lake Rangers sports fan. As a small-business owner and real-estate professional, he understands accountability and results. He previously served on the district’s community input team for elementary boundary adjustments and founded Heart Safe, a local CPR program that trains students, staff, and members of the public in life-saving skills.

What he loves most: sports, working with youth, time with his family, his work, and serving as a firefighter. He is running because he wants Forest Lake Area Schools to stay focused on what matters most — giving every student real opportunity through strong academics and practical preparation for life.

District Fire Chief · 20+ years FLHS Class of 2001 Father of 4 & Proud Husband Fire Admin BS · Magna Cum Laude Youth Sports Coach Real Estate Professional

Thomas family with Brandson in military uniform

Proud of Brandson — serving our country.

Sean Thomas with his wife Alyssa and their four children

With Alyssa and our four kids.

Alyssa — my rock for 15 years.

My Family

Everything starts and ends with them.

Alyssa

My rock. Our rock. She makes me the happiest man on the planet. Talented hairstylist, workhorse, loving mother and wife. Courageous, supportive, and delivered right from the heavens. We’ve been married 15 years and she is still my best friend.

Brandson · 19

Graduated Forest Lake High School in 2025. Former wrestler, football player, and captain of the lacrosse team. Currently serving in the U.S. Army while also working for an HVAC company. We couldn’t be prouder of the man he’s becoming.

Hudson · 13

8th grade at Forest Lake Area Middle School. Total sports junkie — wrestling, football, lacrosse, and golf — and always competing. First to jump in and help others. Heart of gold. Eyes on the sky; he wants to be a pilot.

Vienna · 11

6th grade at Forest Lake Area Middle School. Loves the arts, singing, dancing, and crafting. Competes in volleyball and wrestling. Wants to be a hairstylist like mommy. Loves taking care of her dog. Creative, energetic, and full of heart.

Brynlee · 9

4th grade at Forest View Elementary. One of a kind — strong, hardworking, and a standout gymnast and soccer player. Loves spending time at the barn with her horse and taking care of our chickens. Brings fire and joy everywhere she goes.

Sydney

The family dog. Sweetest pup to ever walk (and chew) this earth.

Coaching & Community

Year-round youth sports coaching (football, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer), announcing Forest Lake football games from elementary through high school, and more than two decades with the Forest Lake Fire Department. An avid Rangers sports fan who shows up for kids and families.

Sean Thomas adjusting a young athlete’s lacrosse helmet

The small moments that shape kids — coaching, mentoring, and showing up.

Forest Lake youth football team at U.S. Bank Stadium

Youth football at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Sean Thomas with his son Hudson after a football game

With Hudson after the game.

Forest Lake lacrosse team huddle with sticks raised

Lacrosse huddle — Rangers together.

Sean Thomas with young wrestlers and their medals

Wrestling — hard work and medals.

Sean Thomas in the announcing booth with headset

Announcing Forest Lake football games.

Sean Thomas teaching CPR to a group of students

Heart Safe — teaching CPR.

Heart Safe classroom training.

District Chief Sean Thomas on a fire call

On the job — District Chief, Forest Lake Fire.

Sean Thomas coaching girls soccer with Community Education

Coaching girls soccer — Community Education.

Where I Stand

Schools should offer the best curriculum and real opportunities while staying on budget. They should be safe places of learning, confidence, positivity, accountability, and opportunity — not testing grounds for the latest social or political fights.

01 · Academics First

Strong curriculum, clear standards, and measurable results. Students deserve top-tier instruction in the fundamentals so they leave high school ready for the next step — college, trades, military, or career.

02 · Parents as Partners

Parents must be involved. The full partnership — parents, students, teachers, coaches, administration, school board, and support staff — has to work. Parents deserve to be heard, and they deserve real follow-through and action on their concerns.

03 · Sports & Extracurriculars Matter

Sports and activities teach discipline, accountability, teamwork, and how to push past limits. They develop minds and bodies. That is why I coach multiple sports across multiple age groups — football, lacrosse, wrestling, and soccer.

04 · Confident, Independent Students

Success is contagious and confidence is inspiring. Students should be encouraged to take on challenges. When they leave our schools they should be ready to succeed in the real world and take pride in serving their community and country.

05 · Keep Politics Out of the Classroom

Public schools are not indoctrination centers. Impressionable minds should be developing skills, relationships, and confidence — not being used as pawns in political or social battles. The classroom is for learning.

06 · End the Stalemate

The board has been stuck in infighting and self-interest. I will govern for the people of this district — focused on opportunity and great learning environments, not special interests or endless political fights.

07 · Budget Discipline

Budget is paramount. We must look for inefficiencies everywhere. Prioritize safety, learning, and opportunity for students. Taxpayers deserve careful stewardship.

08 · Safe Schools

Facility safety is non-negotiable. I support ever-evolving safety processes and technology, trained personnel, and a strong partnership with Forest Lake Police School Resource Officers, Wyoming Police, and the Sheriff’s departments. Kids and staff deserve to feel safe and be safe!

Running Alongside Mike Belz

Sean Thomas and Mike Belz giving thumbs up together

I’m proud to be running alongside Mike Belz. We share the same commitment to common-sense leadership, strong academics, safe schools, and putting students first — not political hot-button issues.

Together we believe Forest Lake Area Schools can move forward with focus, collaboration, and real results for kids and taxpayers.

Visit Mike Belz’s campaign website →

Support Common Sense for Our Schools

This race will be decided by a few hundred votes. School board campaigns are small — yard signs, postcards, printing, a website. Every contribution of any size helps keep the focus on kids, curriculum, safety, and opportunity.

First, record your information (required by Minnesota campaign finance law). Then complete your contribution via Venmo or check.

How to give

By Venmo

Send to @sean-thomas-48
Put your full name in the memo/note. Venmo transfers cannot be reversed — double-check the username before sending.

Open Venmo → @sean-thomas-48

By check

Make checks payable to Campaign Fund of Sean Thomas and mail to:
PO Box 114
Forest Lake, MN 55025

The rules (plainly stated)

$600 maximum per person for the 2026 election year (Minn. Stat. § 211A.12). Spouses each have their own $600 limit.
Contributions are not tax deductible.
No corporate contributions. Individuals only.
Names, addresses, and employers of donors giving more than $100 total are reported as required by law.
Every dollar goes through a dedicated campaign account and is recorded the day it arrives.

Get Involved

This race will be decided by neighbors talking to neighbors. Tell me how you’d like to help and I’ll get back to you personally.

Email: coachseanthomas@gmail.com

Phone: 651-964-0187

Mail: PO Box 114, Forest Lake, MN 55025

Or fill out the form below — every message comes directly to me.

Look for our signs around the district

Belz & Thomas yard sign — Vote November 3 — Forest Lake Area School Board

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Belz & Thomas · Forest Lake Area School Board