Everyone pitched in!

On July 1, 2020, I began my first year as District Administrator at the School District of Loyal. No one could have ever imagined the challenges we would face this year. The COVID pandemic changed every aspect of our school day and how we taught this year. Every challenge the pandemic presented was handled very effectively by our Board of Education, administrative team, teachers and support staff. Every member of our staff played a big part in a very successful year.

I am happy to report that even during a worldwide pandemic, the students at the School District of Loyal were able to attend school in person the entire year and we only had to close ONE day! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who played a part in this very successful year! We couldn’t have done this without the full support of the staff, Board, and parents.

The school year ended as dramatically as it started with several retirements. Jackie Nelson, third-grade teacher, retired after 41 years of teaching at Loyal Elementary School. Joe Anderson, vocal music teacher, retired after 33 years at the district. Laurie Curtis, special education teacher, retired after 20 years with the district. Treva Brodhagen, Title I teacher, also retired after three years with the district. Beth Kaiser and Michele Gorke both retired at the beginning of the school year. The district appreciates all their efforts and years of service. All of these teachers will be greatly missed. We wish all these beloved teachers a very happy retirement; they have all earned it! The summer will bring a lot of building projects and updates. We are doing HVAC and electrical upgrades throughout the building. A complete remodel of the FACS room to transform it into a commercial- grade culinary kitchen is currently underway. New equipment and upgrades have been made to our fitness center. We are moving teachers to different classrooms to help with the transition of our junior high school to a middle school concept and the new trimester district schedule. There will be many changes waiting for our staff and students when they come back to school this fall.

In addition to these changes, the Board of Education is also looking at facility upgrades. We have been meeting with Miron and HSR to create a plan to bring to the community. We will be sending out a survey to the community later this fall to gauge public input and ideas.

Our track and softball teams have entered post-season play. I wish both teams the best of luck. Go Greyhounds! Have a good summer!