Minneota Public School
504 North Monroe St.
Minneota, MN  56264

School Board Recognition Week

The Minnesota School Boards Association has set Feb. 25 - 29 as School Board Recognition Week in Minnesota as a time to build awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected board of education plays in our society. The Minneota Public School is joining with other districts throughout the state to recognize the important contributions board members make to communities.

As citizen leaders, individual school board members face complex and demanding challenges. Yet, few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. School board members establish a vision for the education program, design a structure to achieve that vision, ensure schools are accountable to the community, and strongly advocate continuous improvement in student learning. This job entails an endless string of meetings and school functions; reams of reports, agendas, proposals, and other information to read and study; and a host of difficult decisions to make.

School board members come from all walks of life. They are farmers, secretaries, doctors, lawyers, homemakers, architects, truck drivers, professors, business owners, and real estate agents, to name just a few. Although they serve many roles in the workday world, school board members put on a collective hat when they get down to the business of leading their school districts. Board members must pull together as a team toward a common goal—helping students

achieve. Though they may individually disagree on certain issues, their role, as a board, is to consistently strive toward that goal.

Board members contribute hundreds and hundreds of hours each year leading their districts. Whether it is crafting policies, hiring top-notch administrators, listening to staff and student concerns, or recognizing outstanding programs, board members always keep their eyes on the goal of student achievement. The time spent in board meetings represents just a small fraction of the hours school board members spend in leading their districts. They also work hard at seminars and training sessions to keep abreast of the latest trends in educational leadership, are deeply involved in community activities, and spend many hours in the schools and at extracurricular events.

The school board works closely with parents, administrators, education professionals, and other local citizens to create the educational vision we want for our community. In a larger sense, the ultimate role of the local school board is to help preserve our nation’s liberty, prepare our economy for prosperity, and enrich the lives of our people. It is in the schools of each local community that real teaching and learning happen. Consequently, it is the local school board that can best bring together in our democracy the entire community – parents, business and civic leaders, and all others concerned about the future of our children.

 “School Board Recognition Week.” is a time to show our appreciation and begin to better understand how local school board members work together to provide a better future for our children. Please join with others throughout our district and state to salute the men and women who provide grassroots governance of public schools.

Minnesotans benefit every day from the dedicated energies and countless hours devoted by these public servants. School board members unselfishly contribute their time and talents toward the advancement of public education. They represent a continuing commitment to local citizen control and decision making in public education.

We gratefully acknowledge the current Minneota School Board members for their service to Minneota Public School District #414: Christy Brewers, 6 years of service, Dodie Derynck, 4 years of service, Larry Buysse, 2 years of service, Jason Myhre, 2 years of service, Dawn VanKeulen, 2 years of service, Dan Longtin, first year of service.