About Dakota Area Community School

Dakota Area Community School (DACS) is an independent, public Preschool, 4 year old PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten - 5th grade school chartered in Dakota, Minnesota. Located in the bluff country just seven miles north of La Crescent and seventeen miles south of Winona, DACS offers area families a school committed to small class sizes, a strong core curriculum and innovative programs that encourage community involvement and lifelong learning.

DACS is authorized to be a charter school by the Minnesota Department of Education(MDE). Authorizer contact information for MDE is:

Minnesota Department of Education 1500 Highway 36 West, Roseville MN 55113

School Vision, Mission, and Priorities

The vision of Dakota Area Community School is to provide quality learning opportunities for area students and their families.

The mission of Dakota Area Community School is to create and sustain a school where students, parents, staff and community are challenged with an innovative and rigorous curriculum, opportunities for meaningful involvement and programs that develop character and strong principles.

The priorities of Dakota Area Community School are:

• Keep class sizes small. Low student to teacher ratio.
• A strong core curriculum in language arts, math, and science based on current best practice in education.
• Enhanced learning opportunities such as physical education, music, art and value-based decision making.
• Develop meaningful ways to connect with families and community with our learning programs.
• Use the natural surroundings of the Mississippi River Valley to learn earth science and environmental studies.
• Hire, retain and train a highly qualified professional staff that supports the mission, vision and priorities of Dakota Area Community School.
• Provide an opportunity for the placement of student teachers by area universities.
• Create partnerships with other schools, organizations and businesses to enhance the educational experiences for students, families and staff.
• Develop and implement a financial plan that is focused on fiscal responsibility and long-term growth.
• Seek grants to enhance instruction, technology, facilities and learning resources Dakota Area Community School Provides.

Dakota Area Community School Governance

Dakota Area Community School, as a public charter school, is overseen by a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is made up of seven members. Board members meet twice a month for board meetings and also serve on various committees. Below is a list of our current Board members:

Sherry Koenig - President

Sue McNally - Treasurer

Stephanie Erickson - Secretary

Melanie Anderson - Member

Tina Beckman - Member

Brandon Mehling - Community Member

Cheri Smith - Member

Dakota Area Community School Administrative Staff

Leslie Hittner - Administrator

Mary Feathergill - Business Manager

Lorrie Markey - Food Service / Facilities

Dakota Area Community School Teaching Staff

Preschool - Gina Heth

4 Year Old PreKindergarten/Kindergarten - Melanie Anderson

1st/2nd - Jessica Marish

3rd/4th/5th - Tina Beckman

Music - Lynn Biddick

Art - Gina Heth

Physical Education - Stephanie Erickson

Special Education - Lisa Kent