A Team Staff News

A Team Staff,

What an exciting end of the school year. I was humbled to play a role in the ceremony for the AAHS class of 2025. I know that, at times, we as adults can be concerned about our future as a community, state, or country. If you had the chance to engage with students in the class of 2025 - either through a community partnership, an academic competition, an arts performance, an athletic event, or through their portfolio presentations - you could see their commitment to excellence and their passionate pursuit of their future goals. One of my favorite quotes comes from Frederick Douglass: “It is easier to build strong children than repair broken men.” Well done, parents, families, faith leaders, community partners, and Alexandria Public Schools for building strong children.

With graduation is the transition to summer activities. It’s great to see our parking lots and facilities buzzing with activity - minus the rainouts, of course. Thanks to our community organizations and our community education team for helping kids explore new passions and interests this summer.

At last night’s school Board meeting, the Board unanimously approved holding a November 4, 2025 special election referendum to ask voters to increase our school district funding through a voter-approved capital project levy authorization. I appreciate the Board’s thoughtfulness as we consider this option. We believe this is a conservative, financially responsible way to support our students and educational programs.

If approved, revenue would be dedicated to improving safety and security at schools, upgrading technology infrastructure and instructional devices, and addressing school facility maintenance projects.

We will now begin developing informational materials to help our residents make an informed vote and will share them with you in the weeks ahead. Meanwhile, you can read the press release here.

I hope your summer is going well and that you are enjoying all the beauty that we have here in Alexandria!

Rick

We welcome the following individuals to our A-Team Staff:

• Laurie Herrick: Elementary - Grade 2, WES, effective 8/25/2025
• Jenna Meyer: Elementary - Grade 5, CES, effective 8/25/2025
• Sabrina Moske: Pre-K (.6 FTE), EEC, effective 8/25/2025
• Lauren Pankow: Music Teacher, DMS, effective 8/25/2025
• Sara Peterson: Elementary - Grade 3, GES, effective 8/25/2025
• Hailey Radermacher: Kitchen Assistant, AAHS, effective 5/27/2025
• Amanda Steinbeisser: Inclusion Specialist, Community Education, effective 7/1/2025
• Tara Tongen: Pre-K (.75 FTE, 1-year position), EEC, effective 8/25/2025

The following staff member has submitted a letter of retirement. Thank you for your service and dedication to the students and families of Alexandria Public Schools.

• Thomas Burquest: Bus Driver, Transportation, effective 5/30/25 [date of hire: 9/1/99]

• Policy 400 - Employee Resignation
• Policy 401 - Equal Employment Opportunity
• Policy 402 - Disability Nondiscrimination
• Policy 403 - Discipline, Suspension and Dismissal of School District Employees
• Policy 404 - Employment Background Checks
• Policy 405 - Veteran’s Preference
• Policy 406 - Public and Private Personnel Data
• Policy 407 - Employee Right to Know - Exposure to Hazardous Substances
• Policy 408 - Subpoena of a School District Employee

The Curriculum/Policy Committee reviewed the policies at their committee meeting and supports the additions and revisions.

The following policies received a first reading at the May 19, 2025 board meeting:

• Policy 414 - Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse
• Policy 415 - Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults
• Policy 506 - District-wide Student Discipline
• Policy 806 - Crisis Management

• Janeen Peterson, Food & Nutrition Services Director, provided information on FNS department focus areas for the 2024-25 school year, as well as looking ahead to 2025-26.
• The Board approved the summary of the 2024-2025 District Operational Plan as presented by Darcy Josephson, Asst. Superintendent - Teaching & Learning.
• The Board took action to approve the summary of the 2025-2026 fees and prices as presented.
• The Board approved the 2025-2026 preliminary budget as presented.
• The Board approved the resolution determining the necessity of approving a capital project levy authorization and calling a special election on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Miles Gibson is a national student winner in the Grade 8 National Geography Challenge contest.

The Softball Team took 2nd place in the 8AAA Section Tournament.

The Boys Golf Team set a new school record of 6 under with a combined score of 282 and a 1st place win in Willmar.

Ellie Sticha took first place at the two-day Section Tournament at Headwaters Golf Course.

Both the Boys and Girls Golf Teams are Section Champions and earned a trip to the State Golf Tournament.

Lydia Oldenkamp is the Class AAA Track & Field True Team State Champion in the shot put.

The Central Lakes Conference Track & Field Meet saw many champions, all-conference performers and broken records:

• Both the Boys and Girls Teams are CLC Champions
• Individual CLC results include:
  • Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 100m, also setting a CLC meet record and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Trey Negen - 5th place in the 100m, 6th place in the 200m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Dane Olson - 6th place in the 100m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Elliott Kent - 1st place in the 400m and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Matty Soderholm - 6th place in the 1600m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Otto Anderson - 1st place in the 110m Hurdles, 1st place in the 300m Hurdles, 3rd place in the High Jump and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Rhett Granning - 6th place in the 110m Hurdles, 5th place in the High Jump and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Gavin Schroeder - 6th place in the 300m Hurdles and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Adrian Miles - 1st place in the Shot Put, 3rd place in the Discus and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Evan Kludt - 1st place in the Long Jump, also setting a new school record, 3rd place in the 200m, 3rd place in the Triple Jump and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Mac Heydt - 2nd place in the Long Jump and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Patrick Klecker - 6th place in the Triple Jump and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Austin Mohr - 1st place in the Pole Vault and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Dane Olson, Evan Kludt, Elliott Kent and Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 4x100m relay, also setting a CLC meet record and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Mac Heydt, Trey Negen, Dane Olson and Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 4x200m relay, also setting a CLC meet record and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Otto Anderson, Isaiah Jackson, Erick Bergerson and Elliott Kent - 1st place in the 4x400m relay and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Carter Rush, Kyle Jahner, Beau Nathe and Nick Hamann - 4th place in the 4x800m relay and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Payten Kor - 4th place in the 100m, 4th place in the 200m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Alison Krasky - 2nd place in the 400m, 2nd place in the Long Jump, 2nd place in the Triple Jump and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Emma Bassen - 5th place in the 800m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Kasey Soderholm - 2nd place in the 1600m and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Quinn Hills - 6th place in the 1600m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Johanna Kjolhaug - 1st place in the 3200m and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Emma Friday - 6th place in the 3200m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Addison Gulbranson - 2nd place in the 100m Hurdles and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Kierra Ostendorf - 4th place in the 100m Hurdles, 4th place in the 300m Hurdles and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Lydia Oldenkamp - 1st place in the Shot Put, 3rd place in the Discus and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Kaija Schneider - 1st place in the Long Jump, 2nd place in the 100m, 3rd place in the 200m and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Elly Homelvig - 1st place in the High Jump, 2nd place in the 300m Hurdles, 5th place in the 100m Hurdles and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Kiera Christensen -4th place in Discus, 4th place in Pole Vault and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Payten Kor, Alison Krasky, Esryn Dahl and Kaija Schneider - 2nd place in the 4x200m relay and earning All-Conference Honors
  • Shiloh Summer, Elly Homelvig, Kierra Ostendorf and Esryn Dahl - 3rd place in the 4x200m and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Mila Warzecha, Johanna Kjolhaug, Ainsleigh Lehmann and Kasey Soderholm - 4th place in the 4x400m relay and earning All-Conference Honorable Mention
  • Ainsleigh Lehmann, Emma Bassen, Evelyn Kuhnau and Anna Korynta - 2nd place in the 4x800m relay and earning All-Conference Honors

The Track & Field Section Meet saw twelve Section 8AA records broken, three school records broken, 15 Individual Section Champions and 30 state qualifying performances

• The Boys Track & Field Team walked away with its 4th consecutive Section Championship, while the Girls Track & Field Team earned their 14th consecutive Section Championship; both teams will advance to the State Meet
• Individual Section winners, advancing to State include:
  • Otto Anderson - 1st place in the 110m Hurdles, also setting a Section Meet Record, 1st place in the 300m Hurdles and 4th place in the High Jump
  • Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 100m, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Elliott Kent - 1st place in the 400m, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Evan Kludt - 1st place in the 200m, also setting a Section Meet Record and 1st place in the Long Jump
  • Austin Mohr - 4th place in the Pole Vault
  • Adrian Miles - 3rd place in the Shot Put
  • Dane Olson, Evan Kludt, Elliott Kent and Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 4x100m relay, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Dane Olson, Evan Kludt, Elliott Kent and Daniel Jackson - 1st place in the 4x200m relay, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Otto Anderson, Erick Bergerson, Carter Rush and Isaiah Jackson - 3rd place in the 4x400m
  • Kaija Schneider - 2nd place in the 100m and 1st place in the Long Jump
  • Alison Krasky - 1st place in the 400m, also setting a Section Meet Record and 2nd place in the Triple Jump
  • Kasey Soderholm - 1st place in the 800m, also setting a School Record and a Section Meet Record and 2nd place in the 1600m
  • Johanna Kjolhaug - 2nd place in the 3200m
  • Quinn Hills - 5th place in the 3200m
  • Addison Gulbranson - 2nd place in the 100m Hurdles
  • Elly Homelvig - 3rd place in the 300m Hurdles and 3rd place in the High Jump
  • Lydia Oldenkamp - 1st place in the Shot Put, also setting a Section Meet Record and 4th place in the Discus
  • Kiera Christensen - 5th place in the Discus
  • Payten Kor, Alison Krasky, Esryn Dahl and Kaija Schneider - 1st place in the 4x100m relay, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Payten Kor, Alison Krasky, Esryn Dahl and Kaija Schneider - 1st place in the 4x200m relay, also setting a Section Meet Record
  • Emma Bassen, Johanna Kjolhaug, Mila Warzecha and Kasey Soderholm - 1st place in the 4x400m relay
  • Mila Warzecha, Ainsleigh Lehmann, Emma Bassen and Johanna Kjolhaug - 2nd place in the 4x800m relay

• June 3 - Aug 21 (excludes 6/19, 7/4, & 8/20): Free Summer Meals Program at Woodland Elementary.
• June 19: District & School Offices will be closed in observance of the Juneteenth state holiday.
• June 20: First Day of Summer
• July 4: Independence Day.
• July 21: Regular School Board Meeting, District Office, Oak Conference Room, 7pm

Make this summer unforgettable with Outdoor Gear Rental! We offer a wide selection of high-quality gear, from Aqua Mats to exciting party games like Bean Bag Toss, Life-size Connect 4, and Giant Jenga with rental prices for only a few dollars a day! Add humor and life to your celebrations! (320) 762-3310 ext. 4242.

Our Mission is to achieve educational excellence and to inspire a life-long passion for learning.

Our Vision is to be an extraordinary school district that tailors learning for all, by working together!

Email: jjohnson@alexschools.org
Website: www.alexschools.org
Location: 1410 South McKay Ave., Suite 201 Alexandria, MN 56308
Phone: 320-762-2141
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexmnschools/

Instagram: @alexmnschools

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_iI9ts5_R87BvAMxvlM69A