The Byron Buzz

Tomorrow morning will be filled with excitement and anticipation as our students arrive to start the 2024-25 school year—feelings shared by our staff as well. We are looking forward to a great year together. I want to extend a warm welcome to our new staff members who are joining us this year, as well as a heartfelt welcome back to our returning staff. Your hard work and dedication in preparing for this school year are greatly appreciated, and I know you are all ready to build positive and supportive relationships with our students.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to all the administrators and support staff who make our district a great place to learn and grow. Each month, before our school board meetings, we revisit our district's Mission, Vision, and Priorities. These guiding principles are at the heart of every decision we make, shaping our culture and driving our District Operational Planning and Budgeting each year. Our commitment to the action of our strategic plan, The Profile of a Graduate (POG), remains strong, and its influence can be seen throughout the district. The six Cs—Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking, Character, and Citizenship—are essential not just for life after high school but for our students' success today. As a community of learners, Byron Public Schools is actively working to make the world a better place, equipping our students with the skills they need now and in the future to thrive in a complex and ever-changing economy.

As we celebrate the start of this school year, it’s also important to recognize the challenges we face. A significant part of our journey this year will involve addressing the financial realities that impact our ability to continue providing the high-quality education that Byron Public Schools is known for. We are committed to doing this with transparency and diligence, ensuring that every decision we make supports the long-term sustainability of our district.

I look forward to working together to make this a successful year for all.

It's Great To Be A Byron Bear!

Dr. Mike Neubeck, Superintendent

Email: mike.neubeck@byron.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.bears.byron.k12.mn.us/
Location: 630 1st Ave NW, Byron, MN, USA
Phone: 507-775-2383
Facebook: facebook.com/byronbears
Twitter: @neubecksupt

Students came to the Intermediate and Primary Schools on Thursday Night for Party on the Playground. It was a great way for students to meet Principal Abe Rodemeyer and Assistant Principal Brad Hak. Families also had a chance to meet other staff and sign up for different activities and events around town.

We want to inform you about a change in our district’s finance department. Ashley Bocchi has resigned from her role as Executive Finance and Operations Director. During her time with us, Ashley played a key role in identifying the financial challenges we currently face, and we are grateful for her diligence in bringing these issues to light.

To ensure a smooth transition, we are pleased to welcome Ms. Julie Cink as our interim Finance Director. Julie brings a wealth of experience in school finance and holds a Certified Administrator of School Finance and Operations (SFO) designation, which is a mark of excellence in this field. She will be working closely with us over the next few months as we search for a permanent Finance Director and continue our efforts to strengthen the district’s financial stability.

In response to current financial challenges, Byron Public Schools is proactively taking measures to address our budgetary concerns and ensure long-term stability. Our plan includes the following key steps:

1. Formation of Advisory Groups:

• Objective: To collaboratively review the district's financial situation and identify potential areas for cost reduction.
• Details: Byron Public Schools established staff and community advisory groups and the first meeting was held on August 14th. These groups are tasked with discussing potential reductions, and providing recommendations.
• Process: The advisory groups consist of a diverse mix of stakeholders with one group being staff and the other parents and community members. Their insights will be crucial in crafting a balanced approach to managing our finances while minimizing impact on educational quality and services.

2. Operating Referendum in November:

• Objective: To secure additional funding needed to meet the district's financial challenges and requirements while maintaining the quality of education.
• Details: Byron Public Schools will be going out for an Operating Referendum this November. The referendum is designed to seek voter approval for additional funds that will help bridge the gap between current financial resources and the needs of our schools.
• Impact: The outcome of the referendum will directly influence our ability to sustain essential programs, support staff, and invest in student resources. Successful passage of the referendum will ensure continued stability and excellence in our educational offerings.

Throughout this process, we are committed to keeping the community informed and involved. We will be providing regular updates on our website and will be hosting information sessions to discuss the financial situation and details of the referendum. By taking these steps, Byron Public Schools aims to address immediate financial challenges while laying a strong foundation for future financial stability. Your support and involvement are crucial as we navigate though this important time.

Byron residents will be voting in November to elect four people to fill vacancies on the Byron School Board. These vacancies are four-year terms and will start this January. We want to thank these candidates for running and willing to be a Byron school board member. The six candidates are Britton Avant, Kelli Crary, James-Duke Dieterle, Alisha Eiken, Lisa Jessen, and Nadia Poluhina. We will are planning opportunities to meet the candidates later in September. More information will be in future Buzz Newsletters.

Beginning this fall, you are able to skip the ticket lines and purchase your tickets for any varsity activity/athletic competition online. We encourage people to use this online ticketing so we can serve you faster and more efficiently. Before attending a game, go to this link: Byron Athletic Homepage where you can pay for the tickets and download them to your phone. Skip the lines and get a better seat for the big game.

Monday, August 26 - Girls' Soccer - 7:00 at South St. Paul

Tuesday, August 27 - Girls' Soccer - 7:00 at Northfield

Tuesday, August 27 - Boys' Soccer vs Kasson-Mantorville - 7:00 (Home)

Tuesday, August 27 - Volleyball vs. Kasson-Mantorville - 7:15 (Home)

Thursday, August 29 - Boys'/Girls Cross Country - 4:00 at Stewartville

Friday, August 30 - Football Game vs. Providence Academy - 7:00 (Home)

Fall 2024 Class Catalogs are here!

Catalogs are mailed to Byron Residents and on Monday, they will be available for pick up at school buildings.

Check out the digital catalog or visit the Class Registration website to view class information online.

The Preschool Team is getting everything ready to welcome Byron's littlest bears at Preschool.

We have a few spots left for 3 year olds. If you are interested in learning more about Preschool, visit the Preschool Registration page.