District Leadership

I had the honor of attending the Isanti Mayor’s Day Luncheon. I want to publicly thank Mayor Gordon, Stephanie Hillesheim, and the City’s Economic Development Team. The event highlighted economic growth opportunities and all that is right with the City of Isanti.

If you’ve attended any summer programs or community events this month, you’ve seen that our Cambridge-Isanti community is a great place to raise a family! From our Adventure Center excursions to the Isanti Rodeo Days Parade to our Early Childhood Family events in the parks, we’ve enjoyed seeing many of our Bluejacket staff, students and families.

Four years ago, the Class of 2023 entered Cambridge-Isanti High School with all the excitement, anticipation, and wonder of typical incoming freshmen. I remember their first day;  it was also my first school day as a new superintendent. I shared their excitement, curiosity, and a bit of awe for what the next four years would bring.

The Legislative Session is in its final period before the gavel falls for adjournment on May 22. The Governor and legislative leaders have promised “historic funding” for Minnesota schools. But, you are NOT hearing much about the proposed historic new mandates that will increase costs for schools.

We have often said, strong communities have strong schools, and one sign of a strong community is active community service. As we conclude National Volunteer Month and reflect on the importance of service, we want to thank the 800+ volunteers who actively share their time and talents with our schools.

In Cambridge-Isanti Schools, we are fortunate to have dedicated leaders. They have answered a calling to make a difference in the lives of children and families. So, it’s bitter-sweet that two long-time principals will retire this year: Mrs. Rhonda Malecha at Cambridge Primary School and Mr. Mark Ziebarth at Isanti Intermediate and C-I STEAM School. 

February has been a month of celebrations in schools. From make-believe beach parties for I Love to Read Month to Black History Month, Career and Technical Education Month, and Minnesota School Board Appreciation Month. We’ve had ample opportunities to celebrate learning. 

As we prepare to enroll the Class of 2036 into kindergarten this year, I have to wonder: what inventions will they create? What types of communities will they live in? And from an educational viewpoint, how do we inspire students to be the inventors, creators and adaptable lifelong learners our world will need?

From school music concerts and book fairs to Illuminate Isanti and Santa’s annual visit to the Wolcyn Tree Farm — hardy Minnesotans know there is no reason to hunker down in December. It’s a time to get out and connect with others in our community. From caroling to service projects to ugly sweater parties, connecting with others is good for the soul.

It’s November — a season of gratitude — and that’s exactly what I felt this election season as thoughts wandered back to November 2021 when voters of our district overwhelmingly approved an operating referendum with 63% support. The funds were specifically approved to:

When you’ve lived in a community for a long time, it is easy to take things for granted. Our Cambridge-Isanti Schools, for example, have a long history of providing an outstanding education for students. We have a long history of partnership with our community and enjoy strong community support. 

Our students had a great first week of school! I can’t tell you how energizing it is to have children back in school. They bring such wonder, optimism and enthusiasm! We also welcomed 85 new teachers — thanks to voter support of our 2021 referendum. We have lowered class sizes, invested in our staff, and protected career and technical education programs. 

What an exciting school year we have before us! Thanks to the generous support of local voters last November, we are entering the new school year with LOWER class sizes and a lot of new teachers! As a result, class sizes will be smaller at every level.

The 346 graduates in the Class of 2022 had a unique high school experience—a typical freshmen year, but sophomore year was disrupted by the pandemic. Junior year they were in a hybrid learning model. And senior year, brought back in-person every day. With no consistent system from one year to the next, they learned to manage change, adjust and adapt.

We’re building the next generation of innovators and inventors. With hands-on, project-based learning and interdisciplinary activities, Cambridge-Isanti STEAM School is now enrolling curious and creative elementary students for grades K-5 next year. Learn more about this unique learning community at our Kindergarten Round-up on April 26.

The past few years have brought unique challenges to our world and really amplified just how important community is. And what is community? It’s neighbors helping neighbors, children supporting one another. It is a sense that when someone is down on their luck, a neighbor is there. When our teams compete, win or lose, there is a crowd cheering them on. And when we are ready to celebrate, somebody cares. It also means that you are not alone when there is hard work to be done.

Moody’s and Auditors Give Cambridge-Isanti Schools Favorable Evaluation

(Cambridge, Minnesota, February 9, 2022) — Administrators at Cambridge-Isanti Schools received their own financial “report cards” in January — Auditors issued a clean audit on financial statements. Moody’s updated the District’s bond rating — similar to raising an individual’s credit score.

For parents and grandparents with first-time kindergarteners who will turn five before September, it is understandable that some are anxious. Yet rest assured, many current Bluejacket siblings can’t wait to jump on the bus with the big kids. Our Primary School principals, staff, and teachers are here for you, and they can’t wait to meet you.

As we bid farewell to 2021, still filled with uncertainty for what lies ahead, two words stand out in my mind: community and compassion. Our Cambridge-Isanti community is filled with compassion, and it seems to be magnified this holiday season. From the Giving Tree at the High School to the Care Closets in each of our schools filled with donations of basic food, clothing and personal care items children may need—this is a community that steps up over and over again to support neighbors and families in need.

December is an important month for school finances, and we are grateful for the community support that allows us to move into fiscal year 2023 in a stable position. Our school district referendum was approved with 63% voter support on November 2. And after three years of budget cuts, we are committed to responsible spending and oversight of the new funding. 

Last week I answered a few questions related to the upcoming school district referendum. This week, I’d like to address the three biggest questions: How will the money be spent? Who will make sure the spending is on learning? What will happen if the additional funding is not approved?

Did you happen to notice our CIHS Bluejacket Marching Band taking to the streets in the Isanti Parade and the Forest Lake Parade in early July? Our students have been working so hard to prepare for their parade performances. There is nothing like the sound of a marching band to bring joy to our local community celebrations!

In a few short days, the 2020-2021 school year will draw to a close, and for the first time in more than a year, we will have a crowd back at George Larson Field, not for a sporting event, but to celebrate the Class of 2021. At a time when the world pressed pause, 336 Cambridge-Isanti seniors pushed ahead and persevered. They have goals and dreams. 

When Finance Director Kampa and I were hired in 2019, we were provided very clear direction: balance the budget and engage our community in future success. A lot has happened in the last year to divert us. And despite the challenges, we are proud to say we have balanced the current year budget and we are engaging our community in long-term planning. 

This week, I reflect on the one-year milestone of school closures. The experiences of last year will forever impact how we approach teaching and learning. Our district has always placed a high value on relationships with students and families. We are dedicated to both academic and social-emotional growth and happiness for our students after a difficult year.

Primary schools have a time-honored tradition of celebrating the 100th Day of school each year. Working up to the 100th day, kindergartners learn counting skills, as our teachers lay the foundation for number sense, base-ten counting, patterns, and future lessons in multiplication, division — even decimal points and algebra in years to come.

“Dear COVID-19, For generations, through devastation, heartache, destruction and evil, humanity has proven its resilience and power. Our history shows that we are masters of the comeback. Our DNA is woven from grit, ingenuity, creativity and love. We are lemonade makers – hope manufacturers – the ones who always get back up, and get back up, and get back up.”

If you are like me, you might be becoming a bit weary of words and phrases such as unprecedented, the new normal, and contactless. As 2020 comes to a close in the next couple of weeks, it is refreshing to observe the optimism that a new year can bring. January 1 is technically just another date on the calendar, but this year it seems to represent more.

Over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to meet hundreds of our community members at backyard gatherings and park events. We want to thank every resident, volunteer and host who attended a gathering or welcomed us into your neighborhood to talk about school funding and the referendum. We appreciate your time, your understanding and your support

A year ago this week I joined the Bluejacket family, and have learned over the past year what a special community we have in Cambridge-Isanti. I am grateful for the strong community support of our schools. This is a community that values education and has high expectations for responsibility, self-discipline, respect, compassion and honesty—the Bluejacket Way

As August approaches, our team is diligently planning for the future of our district. We currently have about 20 sub-groups working on the planning process to develop the three plans required by the MDE. Next week, we look forward to the Department of Education providing clear direction for our return to learning in one of three formats.

What an extraordinary school year it has been. We are filled with gratitude for the incredible community support we have experienced this year.

As educators, we’ve dedicated our life’s work to children and education, so I’ve always felt schools were important to not only educate our students, but to serve our community. The past months have challenged us to do just that

We could have never imagined 30 days ago, the incredible disruption that our families, our schools, our community, and our world would face. I am so thankful for the strong, resilient community we have in Cambridge-Isanti. We are indeed in this together.

Over the past weeks, we have celebrated School Board Appreciation Week and #PublicSchoolsProud Week. As I think about the foundation of our society, I believe nothing is more important than the education of our citizens for the future of our democracy and our country’s prosperity. Children in our schools are fortunate that our community agrees.

It may be the excitement of a new year — or ushering in a new decade — or perhaps it’s the excitement of kindergarten registration season, but I find myself looking forward and thinking about the future.

As the holiday season approaches, families gather, share meals, reflect on the year, and give thanks for those around them. It is also a time for children to see the importance of community and compassion.

It’s been almost 90 days since I accepted the invitation to join the Cambridge-Isanti Schools leadership team, and I am energized by the passion for learning among our students and staff. There is strong community support for our schools. Everyone I have met shares the same value of providing the best possible education for every student, every day.