The Byron Buzz
News from BearNation: October 13
A Note from Dr. Neubeck
October is Principal Appreciation Month
As we take a moment to appreciate the incredible people in our district, this week, we want to shine a spotlight on our dedicated principals. They are the leaders who take immense pride in their work, supporting our staff and helping students discover their passions and achieve success throughout their educational journey.
While principals are often seen as the face of their schools, much of their impactful work happens behind the scenes. They are continually seeking ways to enhance our system for everyone within their schools. Through their hard work, they cultivate a culture of improvement, supporting colleagues and students alike, all while upholding high academic and social standards.
Thanks to their leadership and vision, our schools embody our district’s commitment to "A community of learners committed to making the world a better place."
Thank you, principals, for all that you do every day to make Byron Public Schools a Great Place to Learn!
Go Bears!
Dr. Mike Neubeck, Superintendent
Email: mike.neubeck@byron.k12.mn.us
Website: https://www.bears.byron.k12.mn.us/
Location: 801 Frontage Road NW, Byron, MN, USA
Phone: 507-775-2383
Facebook: facebook.com/byronbears
Twitter: @neubecksupt
Mr. Hak K-5 Assistant Principal
Mr. Rodemeyer K-5 Principal
Mr. Swanson Middle School Principal
Ms. Schroeder High School Principal
Ms. Braun - High School Assistant Principal
Seen Around 531
Girls X-Country Takes First Again!
Primary School Learns Fire Safety
We Have So Many Super Heroes in 531
School Board Candidate Forum
On Wednesday, October 23rd, the Byron Education Association will be hosting a School Board Candidate Forum. The format of the evening will include questions to each candidate in these areas:
1. Current/Previous District Involvement
2. District’s Strategic Plan and implementation
3. District Budget and Finances
4. Accessibility of board and communication with stakeholders
5. Issues facing Byron
The event will be held at the High School Performing Arts Center at 6:30PM.
Meet the School Board Candidates
Britton Avant
I am running for the Byron School Board because of my deep love for this community. As a parent of three elementary-aged children, we chose to live in Byron because it is a safe small town with incredible schools. We have planted deep roots here, and like many of you, I grew anxious when budget cuts and the potential layoffs of beloved teachers and staff were on the horizon. For me, the antidote for anxiety is action.
Our teachers need our unyielding help. I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering in our schools, so I have a personal glimpse into the trenches they’re in while simultaneously creating magic for our kids.
One of my priorities is ensuring the safety of all students, which means supporting our Resource Officer and nursing staff. We must also restore financial stability by being transparent and fiscally responsible, building trust with parents and the community.
I’m confident that with creative solutions and collaboration, we can overcome the obstacles we face and continue providing excellent education for our students. I’m excited to contribute to the future of Byron schools.
Kelli Crary
I am running for Byron School Board because I have a personal interest in the quality of public education, and my career in the legal field can bring useful knowledge and understanding to the board. I am eager to be a part of the continued growth and improvement of Byron School District, along with building a strong foundation for the future of Byron education. A strong foundation is built by the community coming together to do what is best for the children, especially during challenges. As Byron School District is facing significant challenges, I want to help provide the best possible education for all children who attend while maintaining fiscal responsibility. I want to be a voice for the children and community as we navigate these challenges, keeping in mind what is best for the quality of education that Byron strives to provide.
James "Duke" Dieterle
Hello Byron, my name is Duke Dieterle, and I am running for the Byron School Board. I am an
Army Veteran of 22 years. I relocated from Pierz, Minnesota to Byron in 2022 with my wife
Jennifer. I am interested in running for the school board because I believe Byron is such a
strong community.
I am interested in solving our issues within this great school system. My main goal is to
resolve the financial crisis that our school district faces. I know that we are going to be faced
with tough issues and would like to accomplish this with no cuts to our sports programs. I also
encourage people to vote yes on the referendum. By passing the referendum it will greatly help
in resolving the situation. I also want to avoid cutting teacher positions and resource classes.
Our teachers and students need to keep the resources they have currently and would like to see
more resources in the future. I would like to hear feedback from the community to see what they
would like for the student's future growth. I would like to hear from the student class presidents
as to what is important to the students. I would also like feedback from the junior high students
on what they would like to improve. I aim to keep the school resources as well.
I also have long-term planning experience from the Military. My vision for the future is to move
the administrators from the current district office back into our schools. I believe that should be
the first cut. As we combine areas, it will save maintenance costs. I envision combining the
post-secondary and junior high to reduce maintenance costs. I see community voices and ideas
getting through hard times. Vote for James-Duke Dieterle on November 5th . Thank you
Alisha Eiken
My motivation in wanting to serve on the Byron School Board is simple: I want ALL kids to have the best public education possible. My experience as a mom, nurse, advocate, and volunteer has given me skills I believe can help our community achieve that goal.
Byron School District faces many of the same financial difficulties as districts across our state. However, our district also has additional, avoidable financial issues--the extent of which is still to be determined. My deeply held values like transparency, accountability, and honesty, along with my experience as a fierce advocate for children, can benefit our community as our district works toward financial stability and increased financial oversight and accountability.
Our schools are the heartbeat of Byron, and I know we can continue to have an exemplary school district. Our kids, teachers, school staff, and community deserve a district that is vibrant, thriving, and financially sound. If elected, I know I have a lot to learn, but I am eager and motivated and I look forward to the challenge.
Lisa Jessen
I am running again because after having served for the last 2 years, I understand the substantial amount of work and time involved in this important position and I am able to continue to dedicate myself to making sure Byron Public Schools is a district that can attract and retain its teachers, Admin, and support staff; and remain a district where parents want to enroll their children due to our high quality of education. I feel strongly that our community values a good education for their children and has come to expect the very best for them. I am qualified to continue in this position because I am open and honest and value transparency. I will continue to work to make sure the community has the information they need to make informed decisions.
Nadia Poluhina
I am running to join the Board because my finance background— MBA, and 15+ years of experience, including for-profit board roles—will be valuable in ensuring financial accountability at our schools. Every School Board needs members who can ask tough questions and scrutinize fiscal performance. I’ll advocate for transparency, accountability, and long-term financial strategies that prioritize education quality while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
As a parent of two kids currently in the District and one soon to join, I am personally invested in making Byron Schools the best they can be. My family moved here for the strong reputation of the schools, and I want to help maintain and enhance that.
After learning about the District’s financial reporting challenges, I felt compelled to run in order to provide stronger oversight and help address these issues. My experience serving on for-profit boards and managing budgets similar in size to the District’s equips me to offer that oversight. I am committed to restoring fiscal integrity and ensuring transparency for all stakeholders.
Bell Museum Visits Intermediate School
Operating Referendum Information
- Residents are being asked to approve a 10-year levy, with inflationary increases, to help cover operational costs. This levy is structured to raise $1.9 million annually, based on a contribution of $800 per student.
Upcoming Town Hall Meeting
To discuss these important issues and gather community input, we invite you to our next Town Hall meeting:
Date: Monday, October 14
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Byron Middle School
Your participation is crucial as we explore the future of our district and consider the steps we need to take to ensure the continued success of our students. We look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Byron School District.
To view information about our referendum please visit our website!
Byron Drama Department Preparing For Fall Play
The High School Drama Department is preparing for their fall production It's a Wonderful Life on November 1, 2, and 3. Please mark your calendar as this will be a great opportunity to support our student actors in the High School Auditorium.
Football Team Claims District Championship
With it's 36-0 victory of Fairbault on Thursday night, the Byron Varsity Football Team was crowned District Champions. This is the first time the football team has won a conference or district championship since 2002. Also, the football has a 3.30 GPA and this qualifies them for Gold Academic Award. This is a also a great accomplishment for any of our teams because of the time and efforts that our athletes put in, being a student-athlete can be difficult to excel at both.
Girls' Soccer Is Playing For Section Final
Congratulations to the Girls' Soccer Team! With a 2-0 win over Northfield, they move on to the Section Final with a chance to move on to the State Tournament. They will play Winona this Tuesday at 8:00 at Janesville Waldorf Pemberton Stadium. Good Luck!
Activities/Athletics Ticket Sales Go Online
Activities This Week
Tuesday, October 15 - Boys/Girls' Cross Country - 4:00 at Stewartville
Tuesday, October 15 - Girls Soccer Section Final - 8:00 at Janesville Waldorf Pemberton
Tuesday, October 15 - Volleyball - 7:15 at Zumbrota-Mazeppa
Wednesday, October 16 - Football Game - 7:00 at South St. Paul
The Spirit Squad's Little Kickers
👻 🎃 ECFE's Annual Black & Orange BASH! 🎃👻
Join on Friday, October 25 from 6-7:30 pm us for a night of family fun and Halloween magic! Enjoy a photo booth, play games, and stroll through our Trick-or-Treat Lane filled with fun trinkets and sweet treats. We are grateful to members of the Byron Area Chamber of Commerce for providing fun games at this event! SIGN UP!
Registration Deadline: October 23 at Noon
Youth Community Education
From decorating cookies and mastering chess to shooting hoops and diving into pickleball, we’ve got an exciting lineup of classes for your kiddo!
Don’t let them miss out—check out our upcoming classes:
- CABS - Child & Baby-Sitting Safety Class on 10/17
- Home Alone on 10/17
- Spooktacular Cookies for Kids in Grades 1-5 on 10/21
- Grandmasters of Chess 1.1 starting 10/24
- YEL Junior Basketball for Grades K-5 starting 10/30 - 1 spot left!
- Elementary Sign Language starts on 11/5
- Intro to Wheel Throwing for Kids I starts on 11/7 - 1 spot left!
- Pickleball Camp for Intermediate School Students - starts on 11/7
Adult Community Education
Great things are coming your way with these classes and events: