During the week of Feb. 22-26, Brainerd Public Schools will join school districts across the state of Minnesota in celebrating School Board Recognition Week, a time to honor and thank local board members for their commitment to students and educational excellence for all.
“Brainerd School Board members devote an immeasurable amount of time and energy to improving the learning environment for our students and ensuring that all students achieve their individual potential,” a news release from the district stated. “This year in particular, we thank them for their unwavering support to Brainerd Public Schools.”
It takes strong schools to build a strong community, Superintendent Laine Larson said in the release.
“These men and women commit countless hours to making sure our schools are helping every child learn at a higher level,” she wrote. “They make the tough decisions and spend many hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide the kind of accountability our citizens expect and deserve.”
Larson said the main goal of the school board is to raise student achievement and close the achievement gap, which they accomplish by:
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Supporting safe, secure, and accessible 21st century learning environments;
Prioritizing student achievement, best practice instruction and professional supports;
Providing equitable opportunities for all students;
Communicating effectively and being publicly accountable for policy decisions and actions;
Creating a school climate where students can actively learn and teachers can teach;
Forming inclusive partnerships throughout the community; and
Ensuring fiscal oversight to recruit and retain outstanding teachers and staff.
“School board members give the Brainerd citizens a voice in education decision making,” the release stated. “Even though we make a special effort to show our appreciation in February, their contribution is a year-round commitment.”
The current Brainerd School Board is made up of:
Chair Bob Nystrom, a Brainerd graduate along with his three children. He has served on the school board for 14 years.
Vice Chair Ruth Nelson, who has two sons who graduated from Brainerd High School. She has served on the school board for 15 years.
Clerk Charles Black Lance, who currently has three children in the school district. He is beginning the third year of his first term on the board.
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Treasurer Jana Shogren, who has two children in the school district. This is her first term serving on the Board of Education.
Kevin Boyles, who has had three children attend Brainerd Public Schools. This is his first term serving on the school board.
Tom Haglin, a Brainerd graduate along with his three children. He has served on the school board for 11 years.
“It brings me great satisfaction to know that together, we have the ability to empower our current education system and positively change the future,” Larson said. “Thank you to the ISD 181 Board of Education for your support for the highest quality education at Brainerd Public Schools! Your unending efforts are acknowledged and greatly appreciated. Please join us by saying thank you to our school board members during Minnesota’s School Board Recognition Week.”
For more information about Brainerd Public Schools, visit
isd181.org
.
