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National School Board recognition week is February 20th -24th. It is a time when the community, Andes Central school staff and parents can take the time to thank the members of the Andes Central School Board for their time and dedication to make the school a better place. The Andes Central School Board has seven members: Kristin Dvorak, Nikki Gray, Will Bennett, Mike Dangel, Leah “Tootie” Loeffler, Josh Kaczor, and Debra Houseman. A well-deserved thank you and recognition for their service is in order for the school board members.

Debra Houseman

Debra Houseman has been a member of the Andes Central School Board for the past 18 years; she is currently in her sixth term. When asked why she first ran for a position on the school board, Debra said that wanted to get involved especially since she had three children attending Andes Central. Debra enjoys being a part of the process and a part of a board that really strives to be transparent with the public. It is an especially good feeling for her to walk into the school and know that she was a part of creating the facility and learning environment that is helping students be successful. Debra would like to see build a Career and Technical Education (CTE) center to help expose Andes Central students to future career paths. Debra does plan to run for re-election when her term ends. Debra is the City Administrator for the City of Wagner.

Kristin Dvorak

Kristin Dvorak has been a school board member for the last 12 years; she is currently serving her fourth term. When asked why she first ran for a set on the school board, Kristin said that her daughter was teased and picked on and she got older it turned into bullying. Kristin wanted her daughter to have a safe place to learn and there needed to be a change at the school. Kristin has enjoyed being a part of the growth of the school district and community. Andes Central has a beautiful school, steady enrollment, increasing graduation rate, improving state testing scores and the ability to offer classes and activities that were not able to be offered in the past. It is a great accomplishment when they set long-term goals and see those turn into a reality. Kristin wants to continue to find ways to improve the school’s environment so that it is a conducive to learning and helping students build a bright future. Kristin does plan to run for re-election when her term is up. Kristin is a pharmacist at Walgreens in Mitchell.

Nikki Gray

Nikki Gray has been a school board member for approximately the last 12 years. When she asked why she first ran for a position on the school board, she was originally put on the board to finish the term of a former member who had moved out of the area. At that time, Nikki was very happy to get onto the board in order get the wrestling program started again at Andes Central as her son was going into high school. Nikki has continued to run after each term, because she wants to be able to help make positive changes to Andes Central. Nikki enjoys the fact that the board works so well together. Of course, there is “healthy friction” at times but the board always manages to come to an agreement in the end. Areas that Nikki would like to see the board focus on is mental health, behaviors, and preparing the youth for life after school. Not all kids have the opportunity to go to college or a tech school. Nikki would like to see the school help them graduate with the skills and training to prepare them for the workforce right out of high school. Nikki is planning on running for re-election when her term is up. Nikki is a registered nurse and works in infection control/quality management.

Will Bennett

Will Bennett has been a school board member for the past 10 years. When asked why he ran for a school board position, Will said that he had kids in high school as well as elementary and felt that Andes Central would benefit from his perspective on issues. Will enjoys working as a team to better the school district, that he and his wife, and children have all attended and will all graduate from. Will always wants to improve the Andes Central school, including the culture, the test score and the facilities. Andes Central is in a great place, but there is always room for improvement. At this time, Will is intending on running for re-election when his term is up. He has a bit of time, since he was just re-elected in June of 2023. Will is an EMT with the Lake Andes Ambulance Department.

Mike Dangel

Mike Dangel has been a school board member for the past five years; he is currently serving in his second term. When asked why he ran for the school board position in the first place, Mike said he ran for the school board with the intention of being involved in his kids’ education. Since getting on the school board, he proudly advocates for all the children/students in the community. Mike believes that if one sees something that he or she does not agree with, do not run and complain, but step up and become involved. Mike enjoys being on the school board because it helps him be active in the community. The school is the most important piece of a community. By being a school board member, one helps set policy on how the school operates, allowing for a place where kids can learn, develop and become future leaders.

Mike’s goals as a board member are to provide support to the administration, a safe place for children to learn, and develop policies relevant to the community. Currently, Mike plans to run for a third term on the board. Mike is the Member Services Advisor for Charles-Mix Electric Association.

Leah “Tootie” Loeffler

Tootie Loeffler has been a member of the school board for the past four years; she is currently serving her second term. When asked why she originally ran for a position on the school board, Tootie said that she likes to be involved and hopes to make a difference within the Andes Central school and community. As a parent and alumni, Tootie wants to be a voice for those that do not have one. Tootie enjoys being on the school board because she is able to voice her opinion for the community and the students of Andes Central. She really enjoys watching the students succeed. Tootie has several objectives as a school board member including: a better work environment in the Middle and High School, to brainstorm ideas to get the community more involved with the school and students and to improve communication between the school administration and the school board in order to prevent being blindsided with information by the public. When Tootie’s term is up, she does intend to run for re-election. Tootie is the office manager for the Fort Randall Telephone Company.

Josh Kaczor

Josh Kaczor has been a member of the school board for the two years; he is currently serving his first term. When asked why Josh wanted to run for a position on the school board, he said he wanted to be on the school board because of his children, nieces and nephews all attend Andes Central. Josh has enjoyed making a difference since becoming a board member. During Josh’s time on the school board, he plans to continue to make improvements within the Andes Central School District. When his term is up, Josh intends to run for re-election to the school board. Josh is a field claims supervisor for Farmers Mutual Hail.