Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland says she never pictured herself getting into politics.
That changed in the early 1990s when the mother of four was elected to serve on the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board, a position she would hold for six years. Her desire to become involved was borne through a desire to make sure the district she and her late husband, Tim, had chosen for educating their children would continue to the kind of district it had been. The schools were a reason her family moved to Apple Valley in 1989.
Mary Hamann-Roland
Her term with the School Board began during a difficult time in her life. She learned she was pregnant with her fourth child before the death of her husband. During her time with the school district Hamann-Roland was involved with efforts that included the creation of the School of Environmental Studies on the property of the Minnesota Zoo.