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Lakeview superintendent receives state award

Photo courtesy of Karen Berg Lakeview Superintendent Chris Fenske was recognized as a 2019 Administrator of Excellence by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

COTTONWOOD — Tragedy struck the Lakeview Public School District 11 years ago when four children were killed and 14 other students were injured in a bus crash. It was around the same time that Dr. Chris Fenske was offered the job as the school’s superintendent. And rather than turn down the position — one he knew had to be an extremely challenging one — he helped lead a hurting community through those tough days.

Recently, Superintendent Fenske was recognized as a 2019 Administrator of Excellence by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.

“Dr. Fenske was offered the position here at Lakeview on the very day of our bus accident, so he came here under turbulent times,” Lakeview Secretary Heidi Beck said. “He carried us through all of that, as well as through a technology referendum and then extreme growth which forced us to add on nine classrooms and an additional gymnasium a few years back. So we couldn’t be in better hands.”

A MASA news release revealed that Fenske received the award in recognition of his leadership, concern for students and active involvement in professional and community affairs.

“Dr. Fenske is a tremendous man of kindness and integrity,” Beck said. “He is extremely good at the details of finance, budgeting and business, yet he has the ability to see the big picture and understands the importance for each child to have a positive school experience. He is a wise man — not big on words, but he takes in all the aspects of a certain situation and contemplates an appropriate response. His actions are well thought through.”

Fenske shared that he was very surprised when he found out he was the recipient of the award for MASA Region 3 in southwest Minnesota. This past month, he was honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during the MASA/MASE (Minnesota Administrators for Special Education) spring conference in Brooklyn Park.

“Our region of the state has so many amazing administrators that are deserving, so I am really humbled and so appreciative of the recognition by my peers in the region,” Fenske said.

The news release said that Fenske’s achievements reflect his ability to lead important changes in the educational system. In 2009-10, Lakeview became one of the first rural schools in the state to get an approved Q-Comp application — one that has now become a model for neighboring school districts within the region and across the state. Under his leadership, Lakeview also established early-out Wednesdays for the newly-formed professional learning communities (PLCs), which have increased both teacher and student performances across the district.

During Fenske’s 11-year tenure, Lakeview replaced outdated technology with new access points and servers to create seamless wireless connections within the schools. He and his team created the Lakeview 21st Century Program, which provided iPads for students in grades 3-12 over the course of three years. An in-house technology integrationist was also added to help teachers incorporate technology into their classrooms or content areas. The effort resulted in Lakeview becoming one of the first schools in the area to implement e-learning days.

“We are fortunate that we have been able to offer iPads to all students in grades 3-12 for many years now and that has been a real asset for snow days that were converted to virtual learning days,” Beck said. “Under his leadership, we’ve also been able to keep up with the newest trends in education as they come up, such as Standards Based Grading and Career and Technical education. We have tremendous options for high school students now. They can take specific classes for their career choice or get some college classes under their belt before they leave high school.”

Beck said Lakeview is lucky is to have Fenske’s leadership — for many more reasons as well.

“Dr. Fenske has been very supportive of athletic and extracurricular activities, knowing that enhances the school experiences and gives students that extra drive to excel,” she said. “He even allowed the trap shooting team, which won the State Class 5A title last spring, to be formed.”

Beck said that Fenske is a great steward of public funds and keeps expenses down while still making sure to take good care of the building and grounds “to secure a promising future for our communities.” She said that the superintendent is also diligent in the area of school security.

“He goes to great lengths to study the best practices for school safety, along with seeking grants for help in that area,” Beck said. “He invited the Minnesota School Safety Center to review our security and they were quite impressed. We were one of the first schools in the area to have a fully-secured building during the school day.”

Beck pointed out that once the school day begins, all entrances to the inside of the building are automatically locked with Lakeview’s new door system.

“Visitors are individually buzzed in by a staff member,” she said. “It gives students, staff and parents great ease to know our building is highly secured.”

As the district secretary, Beck said Fenske is also “awesome” to work for.

“His door is always open to listen to ideas or concerns,” she said.

Staff and students surprised Superintendent Fenske last month after Beck and Lakeview High School Principal Scott Hanson coordinated with Marilyn Jarcho and the food service staff to serve honorary cupcakes to every staff member and student during lunch. The board of education also surprised him by having cake following a March board meeting.

“Those are very special memories for me and ones I will not forget,” Fenske said. “I am so very blessed to have served in the district for 11 years as it is comprised of wonderful board of education members, teachers, support staff, administrators, students, parents and community members. This award is really about all the things we have achieved as a district together, so I am very proud of the Lakeview Public School District.”

Fenske also wanted to recognize his family — wife Christine of 20 years, daughter Madalyn, 20, and sons Nicholas, 19, and Nathan, 14.

“This recognition wouldn’t be possible without my family,” Fenske said. “The superintendent position is a very rewarding career, but it also comes with tough decisions, public criticism, many meetings and travel. They have always been there to celebrate with me, but also to pick me up during tough times.”

Prior to coming to Lakeview, Fenske was the activities director for Breckenridge Public Schools. He received a doctorate in educational leadership and administration from St. Cloud State University. He earned a master’s degree in education leadership and superintendent licensure from North Dakota State University. Dr. Fenske holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education and a minor in athletic coaching from Valley City State (North Dakota).

Fenske is an active MASA member. MASA is a professional organization of Minnesota’s school leaders, including superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors of special education and other central office administrators and well as state department administrators, college and university professors and other educators throughout Minnesota who are dedicated to educational leadership for students.

Fenske has served on the MASA Executive Development committee, Nominating committee and mentorship program. He is currently the chair for Region 3. Fenske also serves on the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative’s Superintendent’s Executive Council and the SWWC Regional Management Informational Center Advisory committee.

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