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National School Board recognition week is February 20th -24th. It is a time when the community, Wagner school, staff and parents can take the time to thank the members of the Wagner Community School Board for their time and dedication to make their school a better place. The Wagner School Board has seven members: Chad Kreeger, Patrick Breen, Jay Kokes, Jamie Tjeerdsma, Derrick Marks, Daniel Dion, and Danielle Krcil. A well-deserved thank you and recognition for their service is in order for the school board members.

Chad Kreeger

Chad Kreeger has been a school board member for the last 14 years; he is currently in his fifth term. When asked why he ran for a school board position in the first place, Chad’s response was that he was concerned with the staff turnover rate and was interested in learning about the operations at the school. Chad has really enjoyed working with the administration and all of his fellow board members in order to give the kids a great education. He has made many friends and acquaintances both locally and nationally and has really enjoyed forming those bonds with people. Chad also enjoys working with the staff at WCS. Education is forever changing and Chad is just trying to keep up for the betterment of the school and its students. At this time, Chad is undecided as to whether he will run for re-election when his term is up. Chad is a rancher.

Patrick Breen

Patrick Breen has been a school board member for the past four and a half years and is currently in his second term. When asked why he ran for a school board position in the first place, Patrick said it was to give service back to the community. Both Patrick and his wife, Becky, are graduates from WCS and they have five children all of whom has attended WCS. Patrick has been involved with youth development for over 30 years. It is great to see kids reach their full potential and find success. The part that Patrick enjoys most about being on the school board is seeing the opportunities provided for students. He enjoys having a voice and seat at the table for the students and staff and the ability to bring community values to important topics and issues.

Patrick plans to continue to address behavior issues, so that teachers can spend more time teaching. WCS has done a great job focusing on reading skills; this needs to continue. Reading ability and vocabulary are strong indicators of future success. Patrick does not plan on running for re-election when his term is up. Patrick is the Executive Director at the Wagner Boys and Girls Club.

Jay Kokes

Jay Kokes has been a school board member for the past three years. When asked why he ran for a school board position in the first place, Jay wanted to be a positive voice for the school that his own children have attended. It also allows Jay to support all students in the community. The part that Jay has really enjoyed about being on the school board is working with other school board members and the WCS administration to help all students reach their future goals. Jay does not necessarily want to change anything during his term, but wants to continue to keep the Wagner Community School top notch for both students and staff. Jay does plan to run for re-election when his term is up. Jay is a farmer that raises corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, cows/calf and does custom farming operations. He is also a volunteer fire fighter, rural board member for the Delmont Fire District, Township supervisor, and on the St. John’s parish council.

Jamie Tjeerdsma

Jamie Tjeerdsma has been a school board member for the last three years.; she is serving her first term. When asked why she ran for a school board position in the first place, Jamie’s response was that in her life, education has been critical to everything she has been able to do. WCS has a great school with the most devoted and caring educators, administrators, and staff. As a community, there is so much to be proud of in regards to the school. Jamie has a passion for childhood education and volunteered many years as a Cub Scout leader and was a part of Junior Achievement. As a parent with three children that attend WCS, she wanted to be a part of making decision which impact all children who attend WCS.

As a Wagner graduate, she truly loves this community. The best part of being on the school board is attending events which celebrate the achievement of the students. Jamie also enjoys being part of the committees where she can dig into the work more and understand the school function and help drive positive change. Jamie sees staff shortages as a continuing issue for many schools across the state. The school board has implemented many changes in pay and incentives to attract candidates to our district with some success but will continue to brainstorm ideas to bring more candidates to WCS. Jamie sees the board as needing to continue to be creative in solutions by thinking outside the box and partnering with city and community leaders to attract top educator candidates to WCS.

Jamie’s current term will be up this year and she does plan to run for re-election. Jamie currently works remotely from home for Citibank as the Vice President for Central Controls Training and Communications.

Derrick Marks

Derrick Marks has been a school board member for going on three years; he is currently serving in his first term. When asked why he wanted to run for a school board position in the first place, Derrick said that he has been working with youth for over 15 years. Over those years he has found that the education system can begin to help teach children how to have healthy families, homes, communities and businesses. Derrick also wanted to see a healthy representation of the local communities through diversity and as a community the need to acknowledge that from the top down. The part that Derrick enjoys the most is being able to help guide future generations by making decisions that he believes will give them the opportunities that many other rural communities cannot give them; the reassurance that they are trusted and relied upon as second parents to the children.

One area that Derrick has brought up to board is the need to offer more support to children who come from homes that do not always have a healthy support system around them. Derrick would also like to see alternatives to suspensions and expulsions, helping to create a space for at risk students to be able to work through hardships and receive help that they may not be getting in any other setting than school. Derrick is planning to run for re-election when his term is up. It is an honor for Derrick to serve the community by having the trust of the community and parents with decisions that impact their children. Derrick currently runs a media company, Marks Media. He is also a part of several community boards and is an active member of the Lighthouse Church.

Daniel Dion

Daniel Dion has been a school board member for going on three years; he is beginning his second term. When asked why he wanted to run for the school board position in the first place, Daniel said to be a voice for the children and families that did not have a voice. He was also approached by several community members to run for a position. This is the first board that Daniel has ever served on, so he is still new to many aspects, but is enjoying the journey and learning. Daniel is always striving for better understanding between the Native and existing communities because the culture that the kids are raised in are different. Daniel is currently undecided as to whether he will run for re-election when his term is up. Daniel works as a journeyman and plumber.

Danielle Krcil

Danielle Krcil has been a school board member for two years; she is serving her first term. When asked why she ran for the school board position in the first place, Danielle said that she wanted to use her education to help improve the school. Danielle graduated from USD with an elementary education degree and taught for six years. It is also important to her as a parent of three boys who attend WCS to serve on the school board. Danielle has enjoyed learning about the business side of the school. There is so much more than she imagined that goes into making a school work. Danielle feels that the school board, administrators, staff and students all work very hard to make improvements to the school and strive to be better every day. When Danielle’s term is up for re-election, she does plan to run again. She feels that she is just learning the ropes and would like to continue to help WCS be the best it can be. Danielle works with her husband on their ranch and feedlot. She also stays very busy with her sons’ school and sports activities.