Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

I think it is safe to say that everyone is probably ready to say “goodbye 2020” and “hello 2021”.  I am hopeful a new year will bring fresh hope to a return to normalcy hopefully, sooner than later.  2020 was extremely difficult yet there were several accomplishments worthy of mentioning.  As a school district and community, we successfully navigated more than two months of distance learning and graduated the class of 2020.  Over the summer several projects were completed across the school district including an entirely new parking lot for the middle and high school.  An additional entrance for the Performing Arts Center was completed this fall along with an altered entrance/exit from Highway 12.  

2021 will bring a new set of projects to be completed as well.  The swimming pool is going to receive a complete overhaul of the mechanical/HVAC system between February and April.  The ALC will be spending their last few months in their current building as the sale of a new location was recently completed.  Plans will move ahead to complete renovations with the goal of beginning school in the new building next fall.  Last but not least the Recreation Center is one step closer to becoming a usable space.  Earlier this fall Dassel-Cokato Schools received $1 million dollars from the state, as part of a bonding bill, to be used towards flooring in the space.  With additional funds to add bathrooms and piping for future ice installation, the building could become occupiable in a matter of months.

Please have a healthy and happy winter break.  Enjoy time with your families and come back refreshed and ready to tackle 2021!  Upon returning, our first agenda item will be to review the local COVID numbers and our staffing levels as we plan to bring back our students who are currently in distance learning. 

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Jeff Powers
Superintendent