About Me
I'm a Bozeman dad running for the Bozeman School District 7 Board of Trustees. My wife Adrienne and I met in college at MSU and never left. More than 15 years later, we're raising two kids in BSD7, and Adrienne teaches kindergarten at Longfellow. You might know her as Miss Petch or Mrs. Zimny.
Education runs deep in our family. My mom teaches in Billings. Adrienne worked at Meadowlark before moving to Longfellow. I've spent my whole life watching teachers do the invisible work — the late nights, the creativity, the showing up every single day.
I work remotely as a security manager in tech. Before that, I worked at a few local tech firms here in Bozeman. My work involves managing compliance, budgets, building teams, and making sure organizations run responsibly and transparently. I bring that same mindset to how I think about our schools.
We live south of campus here in Bozeman, Montana — with a fixer-upper house, a small flower farm, eight chickens, and three dogs. We're not going anywhere. This is home.
Why I'm Running
The BSD7 Board of Trustees has been doing a wonderful job. The decisions they make over the next several years will directly shape my children's education in Bozeman School District 7. My first-grader and my kindergartner-to-be will spend thirteen years in these schools. I want to be part of those decisions, and I want young families like mine to have a voice at the table.
I've watched Bozeman grow and change. I know what families here are dealing with: housing costs, childcare, the everyday logistics of raising kids in a town that's gotten more expensive. There's a quiet exhaustion among parents — mixed with a fierce drive to stay in this beautiful place. That tension affects everything: teacher retention, parent involvement, and the hard choices the board has to make.
I want to support bold, evidence-based decisions — even uncomfortable ones. The district's move toward phone-free high schools starting in 2026 is a good example. It's not easy, parents have mixed feelings, and my own kids will live with it. But the research on student mental health is clear. I'd rather try something hard and learn from it than stay stuck doing the same thing.
That's why I'm running in the 2026 Bozeman school board election — to bring a practical, long-term perspective to the decisions that matter most for BSD7 families.
My Priorities
Supporting Our Teachers
Adrienne has taught in BSD7 for over a decade. I've seen what it takes — and I've seen good teachers leave because they can't afford to stay in Bozeman. I'll fight to recruit and retain great educators in Bozeman School District 7, where that's getting harder every year.
Student Well-Being
Academic success matters, but so does how our kids feel when they walk through the door. I support the district's focus on social-emotional learning and evidence-based decisions like the upcoming phone-free policy. These aren't easy calls — but I'd rather back hard choices that prioritize mental health than avoid them because they're uncomfortable.
Fiscal Accountability
I manage budgets professionally. I understand compliance, oversight, and making sure resources go where they're supposed to. I'll bring that discipline to the board — supporting smart investments while making sure taxpayers know where their money is going.
A Voice for Young Families
We had our kids in 2019 and 2021, right in the chaos of COVID. Young families are still finding their footing. We're thinking about the next decade, not the last one. I'll bring that long-term perspective to every decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 Bozeman school board election?
May 5, 2026. Ballots are mailed to registered voters starting April 17.
Who is running for Bozeman School Board in 2026?
Patrick Zimny is running for the Bozeman School District 7 (BSD7) Board of Trustees in the May 2026 election.
What does the Bozeman School Board do?
The BSD7 Board of Trustees sets policy, approves budgets, and makes decisions about curriculum, staffing, and facilities for Bozeman School District 7.
How do I vote in the BSD7 school board election?
Ballots are mailed to registered voters in Bozeman School District 7 starting April 17, 2026. Return your ballot by mail or drop it off by Election Day, May 5, 2026.
Get in Touch
Have questions about the 2026 Bozeman school board election? Check the election guide for voting details, or reach out directly. I'd love to hear from you.
Email Patrick