Latest news with #MitchellSchoolDistrict
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Terry Aslesen sees important work ahead as he seeks second Mitchell school board term
May 23—EDITOR'S NOTE — This is the first of three profiles of candidates running for the Mitchell Board of Education on June 3. The profiles are presented in alphabetical order, beginning with Terry Aslesen. Profiles for candidates Kimberly Lofgren and Deb Olson will be published in future editions of the Mitchell Republic, respectively. MITCHELL — Terry Aslesen has given decades of his life to education in the Mitchell School District. An alum of the local public school system, he served as a teacher and administrator for 43 years, helping launch successful programs such as Second Chance High School and the dual credits program. Implementing block scheduling was another highlight of his time as a district employee. Since retired, he ran for the Mitchell Board of Education in 2022, emerging as one of two candidates to top a field of six to take his first three-year term on the board. Currently seeking his second term, he said his motivation to serve the students and district remains the same since he first entered the field. "I don't think anything's more important than education," Aslesen told the Mitchell Republic in a recent interview. "And you can't stay excellent if you stay the same. The world is evolving and changing so quickly, so you have to constantly be looking at — how do we get better?" Aslesen, 68, wrestled with that question in his first term. He said he's seen progress in the right direction during his time on the board. As part of the board, he has established himself as a member with broad institutional knowledge, with extensive experience as a student, teacher and principal. He reaches back into his own history with the district for perspective on today's educational environment, often spurring discussion on spending, policy reform and student opportunity. His approach puts the student educational experience at the forefront, he said, and one of the most important factors in that formula is having good teachers at the head of the classroom. Aslesen said changing and streamlining policies for bereavement leave, improved salaries, professional and sick leave and the extra-curricular pay helped make the district a more appealing environment for high-grade instructors. "If you don't have great teachers, you'll never have a great school, no matter what you do. It doesn't matter how good the buildings you have are or what curriculum you have, it starts with teachers," Aslesen said. "We had some horrible policies. We had two sets of policies on several things." Aslesen was pleased with other aspects of the last three years. The addition of an attendance liaison and literacy coaches to the staff have helped take steps toward addressing attendance issues and improving student reading skills. He stood firm when he felt the board hastily approved a new fingerprinting policy for visitors to the school, and lobbied to have it modified to be more welcoming to parents who want to take part in classroom activities, or to volunteers with organizations like Junior Achievement, who share real-world life and job experiences with students. The addition of all-day begindergarten and the approval of new cell phone policies for the high school and middle school were also positive developments in his time on the board, he said. And he has enthusiastically embraced board planning session meetings, which are now held on occasion to give the board time to discuss short and long term goals without the pressure of the need for immediate vote on a subject. And, of course, the new high school building that is nearing completion and will welcome district staff and students at the start of the 2025-26 school year, is a major improvement to the district. Aslesen was a prime proponent of building the school and its accompanying athletic facilities at the same time instead of over a period of years after the COVID-19 pandemic spiked construction prices. He strongly believes that was the correct move, and credits the public with making that a reality after a bond vote to complete the work passed with an overwhelming majority. Aslesen said his experience and input from the public and his fellow board members guide him in his decision-making process. He listens, he asks questions and tries to take in the perspective of all district patrons. Working together is important to ensuring the best educational experience for the students, he said. "I have a lot of community input that I'm receiving and you got to listen. You don't always have to agree, but you got to listen," he said. "Sometimes, out of the blue, you get some of the best ideas given to you that you've ever heard, or somebody improves on something. All of us are smarter than any one of us, so I try to get feedback whenever I get the opportunity." As he eyes a second term, Aslesen said there is more work on the horizon. With the new high school nearing completion, the board can now look at other upgrades that may be needed. Air conditioning is needed at the gymnasiums at the middle school and L.B. Williams Elementary School, he said. The middle school gym also could use LED lighting. He also hopes to have more discussion on the fate of the old MHS. Some parts of it, such as locker rooms and parking for football games or track meets, could still be utilized to benefit the district, he said. Another option could be offering it to the city or county as potential office space, or repurposing it for daycare or apartments. When it comes to the students themselves, Aslesen would like to see even more kids taking part in activities, a proven method for keeping attendance figures high. To enhance that further, it might be worth exploring a four-day school week, he said. Under that setup, away activities could be scheduled primarily on Fridays and Saturdays, while home activities could still be held during the week. That's less time on the road during class time and more time in the classroom for students, Aslesen said. "It's something worth looking into. We always need to be evolving and we keep adding and adding activities, and kids keep missing more and more and more school time. And the research says that it's not good for the kids to miss what's in the classroom. Just like attendance, if the kids aren't there, they're not learning everything they're supposed to be learning as much as they could be," said Aslesen. "So I'd like to see if there are opportunities for us to restructure so that activity kids wouldn't miss as much." He is also interested in exploring the benefits of opportunities like the Careers class, a semester-long class that sees students hear from parents or other community leaders about professions around Mitchell. The class is still offered but not required, something Aslesen feels could be beneficial. There is work to do and discussions to be held, but he's looking forward to the challenges and whatever the future may hold. "I think that I would be a vote for making their schools for the children in this community the best they can possibly be. I'm constantly looking for how we can make it better. Because if you're not moving forward, you're going backwards," Aslesen said. The election for the Mitchell Board of Education will be held Tuesday, June 3. Absentee voting has begun and can be done at the Davison County Auditor's Office until 5 p.m. June 2, and voters will be able to vote in person June 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Davison County Fairgrounds.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mitchell Board of Education to consider construction bid for Mitchell Tech power line training facility
May 11—MITCHELL — A new training facility on the campus of Mitchell Technical College could take another step toward reality Monday when the Mitchell Board of Education considers a bid for construction of the proposed facility. The board is scheduled to meet Monday, May 12, in Room 10 at the Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy. The meeting is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. According to the agenda for the meeting, bids were opened for a new 34,000 square-foot power line underground training facility on April 22. The district received eight bids for the project, which ranged in cost from $4,483,031 from Gil Haugan Construction of Sioux Falls to $5,396,300 from Henry Carlson Construction, LLC. Joe Childs, superintendent for the Mitchell School District, recommended in his agenda notes that the board accept the Gil Haugan Construction bid. "Eight bid proposals were submitted, all coming in under budget. I recommend the acceptance of the bid from Gil Haugan Construction in the amount of $4,483,031," Childs wrote. Other bids received for the project included a bids of $5,060,700 from Peska Construction, Inc., $4,981,500 from Lloyd Construction Company, $4,956,000 from NuAge Construction, $5,552,000 from Beck and Hofer Construction, $5,114,000 from Schmitz Construction and $4,734,227 from Puetz Design and Build. Those bids include the base bid and alternates. The Powerline Underground Building will be a cable equipment training facility on the Mitchell Technical College campus. The school announced in September that it expected the new facility would give a boost of about 75 jobs in the region. In addition, students in the Powerline Program will gain the advantage of a modern educational environment for their studies that will be accessible year-round, including during frosty South Dakota winters when the ground is frozen. The new facility is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. Also at the meeting, the board is expected to consider the following personnel moves: * The new certified hires of Kelsey VanLoah, assistant 8th volleyball coach, $2,397; Jeremy Borgan, head 7th grade football coach, $3,237 and Abby Brunsing, head 8th grade volleyball coach, $2,876. All hires are effective for the 2025-26 school year. * The transfer of Kayla Hohbach, 9-month para to 12-month position, effective June 1. * The resignation of Trista Herren, paraeducator at Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary, effective May 23. * The retirement of Deb Briggs, custodian at Mitchell Middle School, effective May 23. * The new Mitchell Technical College hires of Ryan Anderson, diesel power technology instructor, $72,000, effective Aug. 1; Alison Day, general education instructor, $61,000, effective Aug. 1; Jacob Doering, summer welding intern, $18 per hour, effective May 12; Lauren Hofer, summer LPN simulation tech, $15 per hour, effective May 12; Mercedes Jarding, summer LPN simulation tech, $15 per hour, effective May 12; Sydney Storm, financial aid — assistant director, $5,073 ($52,000 prorated until June 30), effective May 12 and Tessa Weidenbach, summer welding intern, $18 per hour, effective May 12. * The Mitchell Technical College retirement of Mike Puetz, power line construction and maintenance instructor, effective May 31. Also at the meeting, the board is expected to: * Enter into executive session for the purpose of preparing for contract negotiations or negotiating with employees or employee representatives. * Consider approval of K-12 salaries for the 2025-26 school year for administrators and personnel not included in the MCEA or MEA agreements. * Consider approval of the Mitchell School District and MCEA negotiations. * Consider approval of the comprehensive special education plan for the district for the 2025-26 school year. * Hear board member reports. * Hear the superintendent report, including information regarding equipment salvage and demolition of the current Mitchell High School building. * Recognize accomplishments of several student organizations, including HOSA, FBLA, Skills USA, FFA, Pro Start, FCCLA, Robotics and Educators Rising. The meeting is open to the public. The Mitchell Republic will livestream the meeting on its website.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mitchell High School honors graduating seniors at awards, recognition ceremony
May 8—MITCHELL — The Mitchell High School Class of 2025 is ready to wrap up their high school experience. With graduation around the corner next week, many are finalizing plans for the next stage of their lives, be it as part of the workforce, college or military service. Many of those seniors were celebrated Wednesday night at the Mitchell Performing Arts Center during the Mitchell School District's annual Senior Awards Night, an event that sees the graduating students acknowledged for their scholarly accomplishments, including honors for academic excellence and scholarships received. "You have strived to graduate from high school, and that is a goal that you have met and to be proud of. Some students will start a post-secondary journey to a technical college or university, and others will join our armed forces or enter the workforce," Kim Max, counselor at Mitchell High School who served as emcee for the evening, told the assembled seniors. "All of you are to be celebrated in every way." Many awards and recognitions were presented, including scholarships from dozens of civic organizations, such as the local Kiwanis and Exchange clubs, as well colleges and technical schools. Students came to the stage as their names were announced to receive their certificates and awards, with warm rounds of applause rising from the audience of friends, family and well-wishers. The event was also a chance to hear from a former Mitchell High School graduate who was already out making his way in the world. Carson Max, a 2019 Mitchell graduate and a 2023 South Dakota State University graduate who was recently commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, is currently attending the University of South Dakota for medical school. He took the stage after being introduced by his mother, Kim Max, and urged the graduating seniors to look inward as they look to step outward to the next phase of their life in an address titled Who Am I? "You're all about to cross a huge milestone, and the typical message is — you finished high school. Now what? It's a valid question, but it can feel a little overused. Usually it's followed by a variation of — find your dream, work hard and you'll achieve it," Carson Max said. "While it does have some validity, sometimes you forget about all the steps along the process." Citing himself as an example, he noted that the path forward in life is not always smooth or clearly marked. His own journey in college was not what he expected, he said. As a younger student, he shared the dream of many, wanting to become a professional athlete. But as he got older, he embraced the reality that the NFL would be a difficult goal to achieve with him being "5-foot-10, 200 pounds and not very fast." But he found a passion in health and medicine, and set his sights on that career field at the relatively young age of 12. He had visited a doctor for an injury, and the appointment would change his journey from professional athlete to doctor. It was a revelation that set in motion events that would eventually take him to medical school. "Sounds a little out there, a little lofty. Doesn't make a lot of sense. But nonetheless, 14 years later, I'm in my second year of medical school, and had to learn a lot along the way of what a dream actually looked like," Carson Max said. "Most importantly, how did that dream fit a calling? A meaning? And what am I going to do with it to serve others?" He said knowing who one is goes beyond one's name, profession, alma mater or even family. Those are all important in knowing your identity, but he encouraged the seniors to dig deeper as he once did, asking himself difficult questions about why he chose to work hard toward his goals and why he chose to approach those goals the way he did. Within his experience as a medical student, he cited how he approached working with patients and conveying to them that he was there to do everything he could to help them with their problem. He also said meeting his wife while in college changed his perspective, allowing him to embrace his shortcomings and work to overcome them. He offered three ways for students to begin the process of knowing themselves: self awareness, self regulation and humility. Self awareness covers the ability to know one's faults. Self regulation allows one to determine what to do with those feelings and to realize that doubts are part of a complex process of self-realization. Humility gives one the ability to admit when they fall short and to move forward toward a solution. "It took a lot of time, a lot of lost sleep, a lot of worry, and I realized I didn't actually know myself. Am I willing to admit when I fall short? Can I stand up here and say that I'm probably not the best speaker in the world? Absolutely. That's just a small example of walking through that process," Carson Max said. "How I'm engaging with reality at this present moment is something you all have to do at any given point in time, and more so as you go from a big leap of high school and beyond. Graduation is the beginning of a new time in a student's life, and he encouraged them to begin that journey with the broad question of "who am I?" He invited them to wrestle with the question and not be afraid when searching for the answer becomes difficult or uncomfortable. That is part of the process, and he urged the new graduates to lean into it. He admitted that, at 25, he still does not know completely who he himself is. He still does not know all his shortcomings and blind spots nor the boundaries of his talents. But that's OK. The important part is that he has started that introspection, and knowing who he is is part of knowing what he can do for the world. "It's a starting point. Lean into it and say 'this is where I'm starting.' So, class of 2025, I hope you realize I've left you with an abstract question, but one that once you begin to wrestle with opens up a broader door, a cornerstone, a harvest that keeps on giving," Carson Max said. "I encourage you to find peace in the process of discovering exactly who you are, what you're meant to do and the purpose you're meant to serve." Dozens of awards, recognitions and scholarships were announced at the ceremony. Those included but were not limited to the following: Military Recognition Kane Grajkowske, Tayle Liedtke, Dawson Ward Academic Excellence Award Lauren Hofer, Brady Trefz, Rachel Ziegeldorf Outstanding Achievements Floyd Korzan, Ashlyn Reynolds, Addison Ellis, Lainee Forst, Joshua Machado Carolynn J. Austin Scholarship Amelia Gerlach PE Mentorship Recognition Alex Hauser, Van Long, Payton Hunter, Kayleigh Maus, Raegan Sperl, Brady Trefz, Lani Thompson, Jaeda Stunes, Reese Amick, Ava Eliason, Grace Hempel, Cesia Mendoza, Joslin Sommerville, Markus Talley, Greyson Peterson, Lora Titze Mitchell Rotary Carl Sprunger Educator of the Year Award Leslie Rylance Gertie Belle Rogers PTA Scholarship Makenzie Peterson L.B. Williams Alumni Scholarship Amelia Gerlach Longfellow PTO Scholarship Camryn Swanstrom St. John Paul II School PTO Scholarship Grace Hempel
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Midweek Update Feb. 27 with Danielle Erdmann and Luke Hagen
Feb. 27—MITCHELL — Danielle Erdmann has taught for 19 years, 15 of which at Mitchell School District. She's a science teacher at Mitchell High School, so she's spent plenty of time at the decades-old building that's in its final year of use as the district completes its new high school construction across the road on Capital Street. Is she looking forward to moving out of the old high school? "I think the kids are really going to like it," she said, pointing out some of the inappropriate graffiti on her classroom's science tables. "All of our stuff over here (at the current facility) is kind of janky, our ceiling leaks, so I'm excited." Erdmann talks about her favorite memories in teaching, what keeps her students engaged and the future of teachers in South Dakota in this week's Midweek Update video.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Erdmann named Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year, Hohbach named Classified Staff of the Year
Feb. 19—MITCHELL — Attendees at the ceremony to announce the Mitchell School District Teacher of the Year and Classified Staff of the Year Wednesday afternoon found their tables adorned with small Ghiradelli chocolates. Tressa Wede, a professor of education at Dakota Wesleyan University and emcee for the event, said that was not a coincidence. There are many similes to be found between chocolate and both teaching and working as classified staff in a school district. "Some days, you get the smooth, creamy truffle of a well-behaved class, where every lesson lands perfectly, every student is engaged and nobody accidentally eats glue," Wede told the audience in attendance. "Other days, well, you bite into the mystery chocolate, and it turns out be the one filled with cough syrup and regret — otherwise known as the day before a full moon, a sudden weather shift or Valentine's Day, when love is in the air and you're dealing with the dramatic study hall love triangles." Both Danielle Erdmann, who was named Teacher of the Year, and Kayla Hohbach, who was named Classified Staff of the Year, said following the ceremony that their experience in the Mitchell School District has been sweet and enjoyable. The pair were one of five employees in each category that were up for the annual awards, which are given out every year to outstanding employees in the district. Erdmann, a science teacher at Mitchell High School, has been teaching for 19 years with 15 years in the Mitchell district specifically. She was honored to even be nominated for the recognition, especially given the company she was among on stage. "Everybody up there is amazing," Erdmann told the Mitchell Republic following the ceremony. "All the people in my building are rock stars, because I know everybody works just as hard as I do." A graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, her bachelor's degree is in geology, but she found her true calling when she obtained her teaching certificate and got up in front of a classroom of students. No two days are the same for her in her Mitchell High School classroom and she has the freedom to approach her lessons as she sees fit, something she feels isn't necessarily the case in every school district. "I love that every day is different, and that we kind of have autonomy, you know? Our principals let us do our own thing, so every day is different," Erdmann said. "I love all the kids, and I learn just as much from them as you are trying to teach them. I can't imagine doing anything else." Wede said Erdmann stood out for several reasons. She said Erdmann regularly uses her work and love of science to inspire her students and challenges students with high expectations while still providing all-important support. She also exemplifies those ideas outside the classroom, Wede said. "Beyond academics, Danielle invests in building strong relationships, ensuring that every student feels seen, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential," Wede told the audience. "Whether attending extracurricular activities, checking in on former students or advocating for balanced parental involvement in education, she continually demonstrates the depth of her dedication." Representing the other candidates for the award were Trevor Krugman from Mitchell Middle School, Caitlyn Way from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Jill Miles from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Stacey Hofer from Longfellow Elementary School. Classified staff members at the Mitchell School District are no less important than their teacher counterparts, Wede said. "Teachers may stand at the front of the classroom, (but) they aren't the only ones teaching lessons. In fact, some of the most valuable lessons in a school don't come from a textbook — they come from our incredible classified staff," Wede said. "They're the masters of real-world wisdom, teaching kids and sometimes teachers that lost things magically reappear after you've asked for help." To that end, Wede announced Hohbach as the Classified Staff of the Year. Also stationed at Mitchell High School, Hohbach is a paraeducator who works primarily with high-needs students. She works one-on-one with many students, including non-verbal students, but is also a familiar face helping out in other classrooms. Hohbach, who has been with the district about two and a half years, said there is no place she'd rather be than where she is now. "Oh, I love it. I wouldn't change my job for anything. It's the best thing I've ever done. I've worked many jobs, and this is the most rewarding," Hohbach told the Mitchell Republic. The Mount Vernon native had high praise for the teachers she works with and her fellow classified staffers. But she singled out the students she works with for giving her the biggest sense of satisfaction when it came to her work day-to-day. Those relationships are important to her, she said. "I think being able to build relationships with these students (is my favorite part). A lot of those that are the challenging ones, once we build that relationship, it's just amazing. You see the changes in them," Hohbach said. "And also, my coworkers are amazing. I couldn't do my job without them." Wede said that Hohbach brought dedication and creativity to her job, and that her work makes an impact at Mitchell High School. She makes a difference in both the special and general education settings, which allows students to thrive. Her work also extends into hands-on activities, many of which are familiar to Mitchell School District staffers and students. "With her background in computers and art, Kayla assists with a variety of classroom activities, including the creation of yearbooks for each student, organizing parties and themed dress-up days," Wede said. "She is dedicated to special projects like the award-winning homecoming door project, Christmas video and the popular Wheel of Doom." Also named as candidates for the award were Samantha Keckler from Mitchell Middle School, Kate McEntee from Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, Cheryl Liddeke from L.B. Williams Elementary School and Kristina Bartscher from Longfellow Elementary. Wede said the world of education can sometimes be difficult, but it will always be rewarding for those who give of themselves when it comes to teaching their students the ins and outs of classroom lessons and beyond. "At the end of the day, we wouldn't trade it for anything. Because despite the nuttiness, the chaos, the mystery smells and the 872 unread emails, teaching is one of the sweetest, most rewarding jobs in the world," Wede said. Recipients of both awards were selected by a district committee. Both award recipients are now eligible for the same respective awards at the district level. They will then also have a chance to advance to the region and state level.
