Mikalson named Jefferson County ESD superintendent
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MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) Jefferson County Education Service District and the High Desert Education Service District announced this week that Shay Mikalson will serve as JCESD’s superintendent while also continuing in his current role as chief student success officer with High Desert Education Service District.
Mikalson brings 20 years of educational leadership experience to JCESD and served as superintendent for Bend-La Pine Schools for 5 years prior to joining HDESD in July 2020.
For nearly 50 years, the part-time JCESD superintendent position has been the shared responsibility of the Jefferson County School District 509-J superintendent. This year, the school board decided to split the position when JCSD 509-J announced that Superintendent Ken Parshall will be retiring in June and Jay Mathisen, currently the director of educational leadership at George Fox University, will take his place.
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colorado Even though the number of COVID-19 cases has spiked at Columbine High School, the building remains open when current state guidelines mandate that it be closed. I thought it was kind of an unusual practice, James Crosby, said.
Crosby s son is a freshman at Columbine. He said his son left the house for school this morning only to be sent home with something unexpected.
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When she was a brand-new legislator besieged by lobbyists at the entrance to the Senate floor, state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger felt a tap on the shoulder from a man telling her she was late for her next committee. She rushed to the elevator, and the man accompanied her all the way to the committee room, securing several minutes of one-on-one time to make the case for his client’s bill.
When Zenzinger pushed open the door to the committee hearing room, there was no one else there. The meeting wasn’t even close to starting.
Now that Zenzinger serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee, education lobbyists don’t have to use creative tactics to get her attention. She meets weekly with key players ranging from the Colorado Education Association to Democrats for Education Reform to go over upcoming bills and hear their concerns.
I understand the community s values and needs in the schools spread throughout the district, Danzuka said.
It is not a requirement for the school board to have tribal representation. All five positions are considered at-large and not determined by geographic boundaries. However, position 1 has had a tribal member for the last 34 years, Danzuka pointed out.
Her immediate family includes two nieces, a nephew and a grandson, and she has numerous extended family members in Madras, Culver and Warm Springs.
Danzuka says her experience and history as a board member will assist with the 509-J superintendent transition and will carry forward the successful programs that have been put in place.
Her goals include increasing family engagement and student learning opportunities
Jefferson County School District 509-J Board incumbent Jamie Hurd faces Warm Springs resident Lorien Stacona for position 2 in the May 18 special district election. I cherish our community and want to see it continue to grow in a positive way, Hurd said. I m dedicated to our school district, and I am passionate about helping our students thrive. I want them to feel inspired, motivated and ready for life outside of our schools.
Hurd has served on the school board for nearly four years. She and her husband, Jeff, have three children. At one time, she worked as a wildlife biologist for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. She has served the community as a Madras Aquatic Center Recreation District Board member and has volunteered to support several organizations such as Every Child Matters, Kindred Connections, Department of Human Services, Faith Based Network, Madras Sister City Association,