By Chuck Friedbauer

A gyroscope is a device used to maintain orientation in various navigational systems, from ships to the Hubble Space Telescope.

“In a school district of 9,000 students, over 1,100 employees, a school board and a superintendent, there are many opportunities to move things in various directions,” said District 112 Superintendent David Jennings. “Sandy Neal is our gyroscope, keeping everything stable and even keel.”

By Chuck Friedbauer

As a member of the District 112 school board in 2005, Rod Franks knew a specific type of person was needed to step in as the new superintendent.

“All our indicators were good, but we felt we had a foundation to be a great district if we could find a dynamic leader able to take us from good to great,” said Franks, the current District 112 School Board chairman. “David Jennings has led us to the point where we are now solidly on the road to continued excellence.”

Laura Greene is on a mission. Like First Lady Michelle Obama, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and television talk show host Dr. Oz, Greene wants to get people eating better, and she’s starting with the youngest members of the population.

“The food industry has turned into a shame – a crying shame,” said Greene. “I think now is the time for a change.”

By Chuck Friedbauer

With June 11 graduation quickly approaching, so too is the end of the secondary program redesign’s first year.

The redesign centered on creating groups of courses students could focus on as they develop plans for college or other post-high school choices. Throw in a new high school, moving teachers around in various buildings and a new daily schedule and the amount of change was dizzying.

For five St. John’s Lutheran School students, this school year provided some surprises and inspiration.

Third-grader Grace Ewing; fourth-graders Caitie Hedberg, Ben Kimsal and Danielle Werning; and seventh-grader student, Ben Cox, took their success in the school’s science fair to the next level by participating in the South Central/Southwest Minnesota Regional Science & Engineering Fair.

By Chuck Friedbauer

The title for Miranda Stark’s first musical composition was easy to develop.

“It’s called “No me gusta bailar” in Spanish, or “I Don’t Like to Dance,” she said. “But I do like music.”Indeed, the Chaska Middle School East eighth-grade band student’s talents reach far beyond a simple fondness for music. They include teaching herself how to play new instruments and composing her own music.

Over 100 Chaska Middle School-East, Chaska Middle School-West, Pioneer Ridge Middle School and St. Hubert band and orchestra students participated in the 12th annual District 112 Mid-Level Solo and Ensemble Festival on May 15 at Chaska Middle School West.

Students, grades 6-8, performed solos and in duets, trios and other chamber groups. Performers were given a ranking of superior which is the top rating, excellent, good and fair.

For the third time in the history of the festival, all participants received an excellent or superior rating.

Police are investigating a fight at Chaska High School that sent one student to the hospital.

According to Chaska Police, school resource officers responded to a fight at the high school at about 8:05 this morning.

Three female students were allegedly involved. A 16- and 17-year-old student were subsequently arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center The victim (no age indicated) was sent to the hospital for injuries resulting from the fight that included a swollen nose, swollen lip and bruises.

By Chuck Friedbauer

The District 112 school board, on May 13, approved a new school resource officer (SRO) agreement with the city of Chaska, reducing the number of officers in Chaska schools from three to two.