Superintendent of Schools

District Name: Chisholm Public Schools ISD 695 District Address: 300 Third Avenue S.W., Chisholm, MN 55719 District Schools: *Vaughan-Steffensrud (PK 3) *Chisholm Elementary School (4-6) *Chisholm High School (7-12) Student Population: 745 District Budget: $12+ million District Highlights: The Chisholm School District, committed to excellence for over one hundred years, lives its mission statement: ‘In partnership with family and community, Chisholm Public Schools will empower, engage and equip students to achieve the highest levels of education possible, becoming respectful, responsible, and productive citizens.’ Chisholm graduates have a long tradition of success in all walks of life. *130 full-time employees *Student/ Teacher ratio is 14:1 *42% of the teachers have been in the District for more than 10 years *94% of the students are Caucasian, 1.7% 2 or more races, 1.6% Black, 1.3% American Indian *48.7% students are on free/reduced lunch program *Students are taught by highly qualified teachers in a safe and nurturing environment *Newly remodeled classrooms have been updated with energy saving lighting and ventilation and equipped with the latest technology as a means of engaging today’s digital learners *Supportive partner Chisholm Public Schools Foundation purchased mobile computer lab for grade K-3 students *College in the Schools courses allow students to earn college credit while taking a full credit load at Chisholm High School *Chisholm H.S. is a U of MN partner offering Ramp-Up to Readiness, a 7-12 curriculum focusing on college/career awareness *Graduation rate of 84.6% exceeds the state average *88% of graduates are enrolled in a public Institution of Higher Education (IHE) after graduation, above state average *67% of these graduates earn at least one year of credits within 2 years of enrollment, above the state average *Strong school and community supporters perpetuate decade after decade of Chisholm Bluestreak Pride with the District offering 22 different sports as well as a broad array of clubs, fine arts programs and other extra-curricular activities including speech, one-act play, Mock Trial *Well maintained facilities including the beautiful, recently renovated high school auditorium, home to the Northern Lights Music Festival, which brings international students, opera, chamber music and orchestra concerts to Chisholm *Community amenities include parks, tennis courts, curling club, hockey facility, walking trail around Longyear Lake with summer and winter fishing, Veteran’s Memorial, Mining Museum, and Minnesota Discovery Center Communities Served: Chisholm is the geographic center of Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, two hundred miles north of St. Paul and Minneapolis and one hundred miles south of the Canadian border. The population of Chisholm is 4,976 with the School District also drawing students from Balkan Township. Just 15 miles from McCarthy Beach State Park and 16 miles from the Chisholm Hibbing Airport, Chisholm is a half hour drive from alpine and cross country skiing; snowmobile, ATV, and hiking trails; golf courses and many lakes. Bargaining Group/Affiliations: Education Minnesota, AFSCME, Principals Contract Expiration: June 30, 2017