May 20, 2014 Dear MDS Stakeholders: On behalf of the MDS Board, I am very pleased to announce that the Board unanimously approved the appointment of two new Interim Directors for the coming school year: •

•

Melissa Sweetmilk, currently our Dean of Students. Melissa has been with MDS since 2005, first as a School Social Worker and later she stepped into the newly created position of Dean of Students (2011). Ronda Jo Miller, currently our Student Life Director. Ronda Jo started out teaching at MN North Star Academy in 2007, then at MDS as the schools merged. In 2012 she established the Student Life program at MDS.

Both Melissa and Ronda have been part of the school’s Administration Leadership Team the past 2 years. They have worked beside me and with me on numerous projects and tasks. Both have demonstrated success in their roles. Melissa and Ronda both possess several years of experience and have willingly and optimistically agreed to lead the school as Co-Directors for the next year as the school searches for a new Executive Director. It is very exciting for MDS to have Deaf leadership - they will serve as wonderful role models for our students! Though I retire the end of June, I will return in August to begin to mentor/train the new Interim Directors in the various aspects of the job. I will continue in this role for the school year – providing guidance and assistance as needed on a part-time basis. Charter schools are complicated but I am confident the Co-Directors will be responsive and successful at the various duties required of school leaders. Both Directors will continue on in their current positions but have additional duties with roles and responsibilities clearly delineated. These “assigned areas” will benefit everyone in knowing who to go to for their questions/needs. We are currently in the process of defining their work year, roles and responsibilities. This process will remain transparent and as we solidify “duty details”, we will be sharing more in the coming month. I have attached a PPT I used last night when presenting to the Board for your information. Change is always different but the Board and I believe in the leadership it has chosen as we move forward in this year of transition. As I close out my 40th year, 20 here at MDS, I am

continually proud of all we have accomplished as a small school that “started from scratch” and one that has evolved into a nationally recognized program. Melissa and Ronda will continue to carry the vision and mission forward. Our staff is dedicated and highly qualified, our students are happily engaged in excellent academic and social opportunities, and overall parent satisfaction continues to be within the 90th percentile. As always, we are grateful for your support. Melissa and Ronda will be present during the Annual Meeting the evening of May 22nd and will be introduced to all of our stakeholders in attendance that evening. Please join all of us as the Board reviews and wraps up the current school year- and looks forward to the new one. Best regards,

Dyan Sherwood, Executive Director C: MDS Board of Directors

May 20, 2014 Dear MDS Stakeholders: On behalf of the MDS Board, I am very pleased to announce that the Board unanimously approved the appointment of two new Interim Directors for the coming school year: •

•

Melissa Sweetmilk, currently our Dean of Students. Melissa has been with MDS since 2005, first as a School Social Worker and later she stepped into the newly created position of Dean of Students (2011). Ronda Jo Miller, currently our Student Life Director. Ronda Jo started out teaching at MN North Star Academy in 2007, then at MDS as the schools merged. In 2012 she established the Student Life program at MDS.

Both Melissa and Ronda have been part of the school’s Administration Leadership Team the past 2 years. They have worked beside me and with me on numerous projects and tasks. Both have demonstrated success in their roles. Melissa and Ronda both possess several years of experience and have willingly and optimistically agreed to lead the school as Co-Directors for the next year as the school searches for a new Executive Director. It is very exciting for MDS to have Deaf leadership - they will serve as wonderful role models for our students! Though I retire the end of June, I will return in August to begin to mentor/train the new Interim Directors in the various aspects of the job. I will continue in this role for the school year – providing guidance and assistance as needed on a part-time basis. Charter schools are complicated but I am confident the Co-Directors will be responsive and successful at the various duties required of school leaders. Both Directors will continue on in their current positions but have additional duties with roles and responsibilities clearly delineated. These “assigned areas” will benefit everyone in knowing who to go to for their questions/needs. We are currently in the process of defining their work year, roles and responsibilities. This process will remain transparent and as we solidify “duty details”, we will be sharing more in the coming month. I have attached a PPT I used last night when presenting to the Board for your information. Change is always different but the Board and I believe in the leadership it has chosen as we move forward in this year of transition. As I close out my 40th year, 20 here at MDS, I am

continually proud of all we have accomplished as a small school that “started from scratch” and one that has evolved into a nationally recognized program. Melissa and Ronda will continue to carry the vision and mission forward. Our staff is dedicated and highly qualified, our students are happily engaged in excellent academic and social opportunities, and overall parent satisfaction continues to be within the 90th percentile. As always, we are grateful for your support. Melissa and Ronda will be present during the Annual Meeting the evening of May 22nd and will be introduced to all of our stakeholders in attendance that evening. Please join all of us as the Board reviews and wraps up the current school year- and looks forward to the new one. Best regards,

Dyan Sherwood, Executive Director C: MDS Board of Directors