- Details
- Written by: Jeff Drake
- Category: Supt. News
- Hits: 838
As Superintendent of Fergus Falls Public Schools, I often reflect on the skills our students need not just for academic success, but for navigating the complexities of life beyond our classroom walls. One critical area is the ability to engage in respectful dialogue, especially with those who hold different perspectives.
In our increasingly polarized world, fostering constructive conversation can be challenging. It’s also absolutely essential for a healthy community and a functioning democracy. We want our students to possess the tools to connect, understand, and collaborate - even when we disagree. Those skills create an environment that fosters positive growth and change.
It's in this spirit that I recently attended two short workshops offered through the Braver Angels organization. The first workshop was titled, “Managing Difficult Conversations” and the second workshop was, “Bridging Divides inToday’s World”. Founded in 2016, Braver Angels is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to depolarizing America. Their mission isn't about changing people's minds or forcing agreement, but rather about changing how we interact. They bring together Americans with different political leanings not to debate, but to listen, understand each other's perspectives and experiences, and search for common ground.
Read more: Strengthening Our Community Through Communication
- Details
- Written by: Jeff Drake
- Category: Supt. News
- Hits: 848
“Books are a uniquely portable magic." – Stephen King
My wife and I recently enjoyed a wonderful evening out in celebration of literacy. The Chef’s Table event was sponsored by Women United of Otter Tail County as a fundraiser to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program founded by Dolly Parton in 1995. Inspired by her father's inability to read, its mission is to foster a love of reading and learning in preschool children. The program mails one free, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month directly to the homes of enrolled children from birth until their fifth birthday, regardless of family income. Initially launched in Dolly's home county in Tennessee, it has since expanded nationally and internationally through local community partnerships, reaching millions of children and gifting hundreds of millions of books to help promote early literacy and prepare children for school.
The event also offered the opportunity to recognize Erin Smith as the 2025 Otter Tail County Literacy Champion. Erin’s passion and dedication to children’s literacy was clearly evident. Her work continues to open up a world of wonder through the joy of reading for our community’s children. We are blessed to have her in Fergus Falls and her accomplishments are inspiring.
Read more: Supt. Drake: Together We Can Build a Community of Readers
- Details
- Written by: Jesse Thorstad
- Category: Supt. News
- Hits: 915
In January of each school year, one of the most critical tasks for our school district begins: the development of the budget for the upcoming school year. This process is always complex, involving careful planning and balancing needs with available resources. However, this year presented a particularly significant challenge, marked by an unparalleled period of financial uncertainty. The uncertainty has been twofold - coming from both the state and federal levels. It has made responsible fiscal planning extremely difficult.
The core of our challenge lies in the unknowns surrounding financial support. We are closely monitoring the legislative session in St. Paul, awaiting final decisions on state education funding formulas which form a substantial portion of our operating budget. Delays or significant changes in anticipated state aid can dramatically alter our financial picture. Compounding this is the fluid situation at the federal level, where potential shifts in funding priorities or adjustments to grant programs add another layer of unpredictability. Planning effectively requires stable, predictable revenue streams, and that is simply not the present reality.
Faced with these uncertainties, our guiding principles remain steadfast: to prioritize the well-being and educational experience of our students and maintain our outstanding staff. Education is all about service. Our success is dependent on people. That was true yesterday, is true today and will remain true tomorrow.
Read more: Navigating Uncharted Waters: Budgeting in a Time of Uncertainty
- Details
- Written by: Jeff Drake
- Category: Supt. News
- Hits: 854
As we look ahead to the next academic year, many of you are likely curious about how our school district calendar is determined. It’s a process that involves careful consideration of various factors, all aimed at providing the best possible learning environment for our students while also respecting the needs of our staff and the input we receive from the community.
The cornerstone of this process is the Meet and Confer committee. This dedicated group, primarily composed of our devoted teaching staff, alongside myself and a couple of our school board members, convenes annually to collaboratively shape the district calendar. It’s a vital forum where diverse perspectives are shared and weighed.
A fundamental constraint is the district’s requirement of 170 student contact days and 183 teacher contract days. Balancing these requirements with the understandable preference of many in our community for a calendar that largely falls between Labor Day and Memorial Day presents a consistent challenge. As we have all experienced, achieving this ideal often hinges on the cooperation of Mother Nature, and we keep our fingers crossed for favorable weather each year!
Following a number of meetings, the Meet and Confer committee provided the school board with two calendar options:
Read more: Charting Our Course: Understanding How the School Calendar Takes Shape
- Details
- Written by: Jeff Drake
- Category: Supt. News
- Hits: 815
In the heart of Fergus Falls, our schools stand as more than just places of learning; they are the threads that weave our community together. From the roar of the crowd at a Friday night football game, to the hushed anticipation before a concert, our schools provide the shared experiences that define our town. These moments, where generations gather, reinforce the deep connection between our students, families, and neighbors. It's in these moments that we understand the vital role our schools play in fostering a sense of belonging.
This past year has been a testament to this connection. The high school's production of "Mary Poppins" brought a touch of magic to our community, reminding us of the power of imagination and the joy of shared experience.The enchanting performance of "The Little Mermaid Jr." by our middle school students transported audiences to an underwater world, showcasing the incredible talent nurtured within our walls. Similarly, our drama departments, through their captivating plays, consistently demonstrate the dedication and artistry that enrich our community.
Beyond the stage, our music programs delight us throughout the year. The soaring melodies of our choir, the powerful rhythms of our band, and the delicate harmonies of our orchestra fill our auditoriums and hearts. These concerts are not just performances, they are celebrations of dedication, discipline, and the unifying power of music. The annual Blondeau Arts Festival, a treasure of our school community, further amplifies this spirit, showcasing the diverse talents of our students.
Read more: Fergus Falls: Where Community and Education Intertwine