Melissa Sparks | Henning
Experience with Current School/District: I am starting my 4th year as Superintendent with the Henning Public School district.
Experience in Education Sector: I actively serve on several local and regional boards:
- Lakes Country Service Cooperative Advisory Council
- Region 6A MSHSL Committee
- Freshwater Education District
Experience in Rural Sector: I serve on the Landmark Center Board in Henning as secretary. The Landmark Center supports the arts in our rural community by hosting workshops and bringing in artists. I am also an active member of the Henning Lions Club, supporting the community and school district through various projects and fundraisers, and I sit on the local Henning Advisory Committee for Astera Health.
Other Relevant Experience: I am in my 30th year in education, having spent my entire career in rural Minnesota. Before becoming Superintendent in Henning, I worked in the MACCRAY School District for 26 years, where I led the initiative to implement a 4-day school week, providing greater flexibility for the district.
Why MREA? I deeply believe in MREA’s mission. In 2021, I was honored to be elected to the MREA board, representing the South Central Zone. However, I had to step down when I accepted the Superintendent position in Henning, located in the North Central Zone. Despite this, my passion for serving and representing rural educators in Greater Minnesota has never wavered. MREA truly represents who we are, and together, we can advocate for a better education system for our rural students. I am eager to be a strong advocate for rural schools by serving on the MREA board once again.
What Excites You About MREA’s Work? What excites me most about MREA’s work is that it’s truly about us and for us. While statewide conferences provide valuable insights, the information often focuses on larger school districts, leaving rural schools underrepresented. As an MREA board member, I am eager to bring our thoughts, ideas, and needs to lawmakers, the legislature, the Minnesota Department of Education, and other organizations. It’s essential that we advocate for better education and financial support in rural Minnesota, and I am excited to champion great opportunities for our rural school districts.
Challenges for MREA in the Next 4 Years:
1. Maintaining school facilities. Many districts struggle with necessary maintenance, and passing referendums for improvements is difficult. We need to collaborate with the legislature to make them aware of our needs and push for policy changes to better support rural schools.
2. Teacher retention. This issue affects the entire state but is often more pronounced in rural Minnesota. We need to focus on retaining and recruiting teachers, emphasizing the benefits of rural education for educators and the positive impact on students.
Opportunities for MREA in the Next 4 Years:
1.Foster collaboration between neighboring schools to expand opportunities for students. We should explore creative solutions that allow schools to work together to offer more electives and specialized programs, advocating for state funding to support these opportunities.
2. Reinforce the message of ‘You Matter’—letting our rural educators and students know they are valued. MREA can create initiatives that uplift and support educators and students, reminding them of their importance to the future of education in Minnesota.
Expertise and Skills to Strengthen MREA’s Ability to Deliver on Its Mission:
- Public Policy/Advocacy
- Information Technology
- Public Speaking
- Event Planning
- Marketing