Welcome 2025-26 school year!

Welcome to the 2025–26 school year! I hope this message finds you well-rested, recharged, and ready for a fresh beginning. Whether you're returning to our classrooms or joining us for the first time, we are excited to have you as part of the Loyal School District community.

This year promises to be filled with new opportunities, academic growth, and continued commitment to excellence. Our faculty and staff have been working hard over the summer to prepare engaging lessons, enhance our learning environment, and ensure that every student feels supported, inspired, and safe.

We’re also pleased to introduce several new educators and staff members who bring enthusiasm, experience, and a deep passion for student learning:

• Jennifer Judd — fifth grade teacher

• Bethany Franklin — elementary cross categorical teacher

• Liberty Tidberg — middle/high school art teacher

• Madison Murphy — English teacher

• Jackie Oviedo — English learner paraprofessional We are thrilled to welcome them to the Loyal School District and are confident they will have a meaningful impact in the lives of our students.

There has been some internal movement with other positions in the district. Jaedyn Driggs is moving to special education director, Randi Rondorf is moving to the middle school special education teaching position, Alexius Simon is moving to the second grade teacher position, and Polly Lindner will be moving to kindergarten.

There have been many projects that have been going on in the building over the summer. These include redoing the roof on the high school gym and middle school; replacing the walk-in freezer in the kitchen; tuckpointing and seal coating sections of brick on the outside of the school building; changing lights to LEDs in the cafeteria, middle/high school, and Mrs. Kollmansberger’s office; replacing the two light poles in the student parking lot; and working on finishing the outside concession stand.

The school board recently approved the start of a child care program with a before and after school program and a 3-year-old kindergarten (3K) program during the school day. The 3K will have learning through play and building relationships. Both programs will be in the school building and the district is working on a drop-off and pick-up area for the parents. The district is in the process of hiring a child care director and assistant(s) to run these two programs. More information about these programs can be found on the district’s website.

The districts of Loyal and Greenwood continue to pursue the process of consolidating and now are meeting monthly to further the process. The districts are currently working on a timeline, with the focus point of July 1, 2028, being the date to consolidate. To get to that date, there is a lot of work to be completed as the two districts continue to find opportunities to work together to benefit the students and be more efficient.

As we embark on this new school year, I encourage open communication between home and school. Strong partnerships with families are key to student success, and we value your input and involvement throughout the year.

Thank you for being part of our vibrant learning community. Let’s make this school year one of excitement, achievement, and connection.