Photo by Deb Gau Marshall School Board member Aaron Ziemer thanks fellow board members, school district staff and community members during his last meeting.

MARSHALL — Aaron Ziemer said he ran for school board four years ago as a way to give back to the community.

He ended up serving on the board during some major developments in the Marshall Public School district, including the construction of a new elementary school and plans for a career and technical education center.

“This board has a lot to be proud of over the last four years,” Ziemer said Monday night.

While Ziemer’s term ends this year, he said he was glad to be part of the school board during some exciting times of growth. Monday was Ziemer’s last meeting as a member of the Marshall School Board, and he was recognized in the Tiger Spotlight.

“We want to take a minute to thank Aaron for his time spent on the board,” said Marshall Superintendent Jeremy Williams. “In his one term, he accomplished a lot. So Aaron, thank you for your commitment and support over the last four years.”

“I just want to say thank you to everybody who made this experience so enjoyable, to work for our schools,” Ziemer said at the meeting. “School district administrators and staff like Williams and Business Services Director Dion Caron did “a tremendous job.”

Ziemer joined the Marshall School Board in the summer of 2018 when he was appointed to fill a vacancy left by Caron, who was hired as the school district’s business services director. In addition to serving the remainder of Caron’s term, Ziemer ran for — and was elected to — a full term on the board in November 2018.

Ziemer said running for school board felt like a good fit for him at the time. He had children attending Marshall schools and an interest in education.

“It’s just kind of something I’ve been around a lot,” he said. “It’s kind of what got me interested in running.”

Ziemer’s father was a teacher for about 35 years. His stepmother also taught, and went on to serve as a school administrator, and then to work for the Minnesota Department of Education. Ziemer’s grandfather also served on the school board in Welcome, back before the city became part of the Martin County West School District, he said.

Ziemer said he’s enjoyed his time on the Marshall School board.

“This board has been a joy to work with,” he said.

Even when board members didn’t agree with each other, they all wanted what was best for students, he said.

Ziemer said MPS and the school board also had a lot of exciting accomplishments over the past four years. Two major achievements were passing a building referendum and getting Southview Elementary built.

“It took a lot of work for a lot of people to make that happen,” including school district staff, community members and his fellow school board members, Ziemer said.

He was also happy to see MPS make progress toward its new Career and Technical Institute.

“I’m going to be really excited to see it open up next fall,” Ziemer said.

Efforts to expand career and technical education, both through the CTI and business programs like Lyon and Murray County CEO, were important for Marshall students, he said.

“It will help them to develop those vocational skills,” and encourage young people to stay in southwest Minnesota, he said.

It wasn’t an easy decision not to run for re-election this fall, Ziemer said. However, he didn’t think he was able to keep up the time commitment needed for the school board position.

Ziemer said his time on the board has been a positive experience.

“It’s been really rewarding,” he said.