Education - Hastings Journal

Cell phone offenses down in schools

The ISD 200 School Board heard from district building principals for the first time in the 2025-2026 school year on initial behavioral and test score reports as well as on new protocols for distance … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/14/25

Juniors Shyla Henson (right) and Avery Durfee were sworn in as student board members to the ISD 200 School Board last week at the Sept. 25 regular meeting.

ISD 200 School Board welcomes new student board members

Two new faces joined the ISD 200 School Board as the student board members returned to the table at the board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Juniors Shyla Henson and Avery Durfee … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 10/1/25

Superintendent Report

Homecoming week was a true celebration of Raider pride! From spirited dress-up days and the fun of the powderpuff football game, to the energy of our marching band, the recognition of our Homecoming … more

By Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman | 10/1/25

Superintendent Report

Hello Raider Nation! We had a great first full week of school! It was exciting to visit classrooms and see students actively engaged in fun and meaningful learning activities. The marching band … more

By Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman | 9/17/25

ISD 200 School Board adopts MSBA Resolutions

The ISD 200 School Board adopted a number of resolutions for the Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) delegate assembly including allowing school board candidates to omit addresses from campaign … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/16/25

SRO Officer James Domeier, ISD 200’s second school resource officer, on the first day of the 2025-2026 school year.

It’s back to school for ISD 200 SRO Domeier

Across the district, students of all ages are back in classrooms, meeting teachers, new friends and all manner of staff that make District 200 tick. One new face to both staff and students is Officer … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/10/25

Superintendent Report

Hello Raider Nation! We’re excited to welcome all of our students back; what a fantastic start to the school year! It was inspiring to see our Link Crew in action on Tuesday, warmly welcoming … more

By Dr. Kristine Wehrkamp Herman Hastings School District | 9/10/25

High School Principal Scott Doran and Director of Teaching and Learning Andrew Hodges discussed the future of the Pathways Program from increased corporate partnerships to getting industry certification within high school classes.

School board approves second SRO contract, discussed future of pathways program

The ISD 200 school board approved the contract of the district’s second school resource officer (SRO) for the coming school year, even as second SRO Officer James Domeier isn’t expected … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/3/25

High school class officers (left) Mari Hall, Charlie Reemer, and Ellory Kurtz greeted incoming students to tell them about student council.

Student Council to revisit Homecoming structure

When the School Board’s Community Collaboration committee opened up the meeting for public comment on Sept. 17 last year, there was one thing attendees wanted to hear about: changes to … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/3/25

The fall in test scores between the final year of the MCA II in 2012 and the first year of the MCA III in 2013 can be seen in Hastings data, with test scores improving in the new test over the next few years.

Why Schools Decline Part II: School Metrics and Competition

While structural issues like declining birthrates and aging population can drastically affect long-term trends within schools across the country, district-specific variables like graduation rates, … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/3/25

High School Principal Scott Doran posed next to ‘Victor’ one of the cadavers stored in the school’s new antomage table that students can use to simulate dissections and perform various experiments on.

Hastings schools to have increased police presence in wake of Annunciation shooting

Hastings schools, both public and private, will see increased police presence for the first weeks of school in the wake of the mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis last … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 9/3/25

The largest drop in both ISD 200 enrollment and Hastings population occurred from 2020-2021.

Why Schools Decline Part I: Demographics and Economy

“How do you become a destination district for all families when all family needs are different?” This was the question posed by ISD 200 School Board Chair Carrie Tate when asked about … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/27/25

Ice rate increases for the Hastings Civic Arena come in part due to the $5.3 million project for a new refrigeration unit, repairs to the west rink’s roof, and the addition of solar panels.

District continues to protest ice rate increases

Representatives of ISD 200 continue to chafe against the potential rate increase for civic arena ice time in ongoing discussions with city officials. In particular, school board members protested the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 8/13/25

ISD 200 School Board adopts strategic plan, reviews Fastbridge test results

The ISD 200 School Board unanimously adopted the new 2025-2027 strategic plan, the overarching guideline for the district over the next three years and replacement for Policy 100 which was sunset in … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 7/3/25

School Board finalize strategic plan, discusses MSHSL contract

The ISD 200 School Board met on Wednesday, June 18 for a work session, discussing the possibility of opting out of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL), legislative updates after the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 6/25/25

Congratulations to the Hastings High School Class of 2025!

Hastings Raiders Class of 2025 celebrate with pride and promise

Todd Field filled with energy and emotion on the evening of June 7, 2025, as nearly 300 members of the Hastings Raiders Class of 2025 took their final steps as high school students. Family, friends, … more

By Bruce Karnick | 6/11/25

School boards set up timeline for superintendent search

In a special meeting of the school board, members heard from Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA) Director of Leadership Development and Executive Search Barb Dorn to develop a timeline for the … more

By Graham P. Johnson | 4/9/25

ISD #200 Staff Spotlight Mary Shrader

We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Mary Shrader to the ISD200 family this year as a Parent Educator! Mary is joining the Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) program in Hastings, where her work is … more

4/9/25

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton thanks community for help in raising $13,280 through raffle fundraiser

It took six weeks of hard work by the students and staff of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, and the hard work paid off. Now, school leaders thank the local community for helping them raise $13,280 through … more

4/9/25

Superintendent Report

Board Member Appointment Process Thank you to all community members who expressed interest in serving in this important temporary role and to the 7 selected candidates for participating in the … more

By Dr. Tamara Champa | 4/9/25