Without your vision leadership and integrity, we could not have the team that bring such good or the accolades that our school district receives. Be proud of your accomplishments.”

Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender

You trusted in me as your hired superintendent, so it’s been a pleasure to work with you for these six months, which seemed like six weeks. It’s gone really fast. Thank you, I appreciate it.”

Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa

Hastings School Board Chair Lisa Hedin looked out at the large audience attending the board of education meeting Wednesday, Dec. 20 in the Hastings Middle School Media Center.
Grant funding for classroom projects and school initiatives was on the agenda, and that drew a much larger-than-normal crowd.
“It makes me so happy to look out and see a full room. It’s nice. I know a lot of people watch us online either live or at a later time. It's more accommodating to their schedule, but boy it just gives great energy, people energized about the Raider experience, in the Hastings School District here in person. So, thank you very much. I appreciate you taking your time to either attend personally, or to be watching us virtually or to be watching us at a later time. We appreciate your engagement with the civic process of our public schools.”
Buoyed by the positivity that came out of announcements of individual grants, and with the coveted gift of choice for department board members – the Hastings Raiders blanket – the farewell was low key to Hedin and three other board members who didn’t seek re-election and were spending their last night at the board table. Hedin served 12 years on the board, while Brian Davis, Stephanie Malm and Becky Beissel each served four.
Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender intended to come to the meeting to thank the outgoing board members and welcoming incoming members Jenny Wiederholt-Pine, Melissa Millner, Matt Bruns and Philip Biermaier. However, she sent a statement because she was under the weather.
“I so wish I could have been there to thank you in person for your commitment to our children in our district - Brian, Becky and Stephanie, for your last four years and Lisa for your last 12 years. Without your vision leadership and integrity, we could not have the team that bring such good or the accolades that our school district receives. Be proud of your accomplishments,” wrote Fasbender. “Incoming board members, Jenny, Matt, Mellissa and Phil, I and we as the city look forward to working with you and partnering for the kids and teachers of this amazing Hastings community.”
After handing out the gift to the retirees, Superintendent Dr. Tamara Champa said, “You trusted in me as your hired superintendent, so it’s been a pleasure to work with you for these six months, which seemed like six weeks. It’s gone really fast. Thank you, I appreciate it.”
Director Jessica Dressley also voiced her appreciation of the outgoing board members.
“I wanted to say thank you to all four of you for your service. You guys have been awesome fellow board members,” Dressley said. “I appreciate everything you have done to get us where we are as a board right now.”