The Byron Buzz

The Byron Public School Board has selected three finalists to return for a second interview for the school district’s superintendent position. The finalists are:

• Dr. Steven Heil, Superintendent, St. James Public Schools, MN

• Dr. Michelle Mortensen, Superintendent, Redfield Public Schools, SD

• Nate Walbruch, Superintendent, Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted Public Schools, MN

The finalists were selected from a pool of applicants based on criteria established by the school board and input provided through the public survey. Five applicants were interviewed on March 26 and March 27, 2025.

The school board has scheduled interviews for the finalists beginning at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

All interviews will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) at the Byron High School and are open to the public. To ensure a level playing field for all candidates the interviews will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Sincerely,

Byron School Board

On Wednesday, our middle school and high school students will hear a presentation by Terrence Talley with the topic of "Don't Give Up". Mr. Talley does speaking throughout the country and he will bring a great message to our students.

Learn more about Terrence Talley

At the March 24 Byron School Board meeting, key decisions and discussions included:

• Support Staff Contract Update: The board approved adding Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Nurses (RNs) to the Support Staff Contract. Two positions will be posted for the 2025-26 school year to support school health offices.

• Operating Referendum: Dr. Neubeck presented on the need for an Operating Referendum. A steering committee has been formed to lead communications, and the board approved moving forward with a voter referendum this fall.

• 2025-26 Focus Areas: The board identified financial stability, mental health, the Profile of a Graduate, and community engagement as key priorities for the upcoming school year.

Link to Board Meeting Video

The next School Board Work Session will be on Monday, April 7th at 6:00PM at the District Office. Two board members will be available for a listening session at 5:30PM.

The Byron Speech Team had their last invitational meet on Saturday, March 22, at White Bear Lake High School. This was the largest Speech meet Byron has been to this season with 33 teams competing and 700 entries. Four students were stand outs a the meet: Anna Johnson - 1st Place Next-In Final in Serious Poetry Interpretation, Evan Lujan - 1st Place Next-In Final in Discussion, Basey Buege - 3rd Place Next-In Final in Extemporaneous Speaking and DJ Nicklay - Honors Merit in Discussion.

The Team is gearing up for Friends & Family Night on Friday, April 4 at 6:30pm at the Byron High School Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to this free event. Come out and watch the talented Byron Speech Team perform their pieces.

The Team is preparing for the Section 1AA Speech Meet held at Northfield High School on Thursday, April 10. This meet determines the top 3 in each category to move onto the State AA Speech meet to be held on Saturday, April 26 at Shakopee High School.

Hope to see you at Friends & Family.

In 2017, Verizon and Byron Public Schools entered into an agreement to construct a cell tower behind the high school. The agreement, which does not include an expiration date, was recently revisited by Verizon, and plans are moving forward to build the tower near the new baseball field.

After review, district legal counsel has confirmed that the agreement remains valid. The Byron Planning Commission will discuss the proposal at 6:00 PM on April 1 at City Hall. Community members are encouraged to share their input either in person at the meeting or in writing. Written comments can be emailed before the meeting to planning@byronmn.com.

You are able to skip the ticket lines and purchase your tickets for any varsity activity/athletic competition online. We encourage people to use this online ticketing so we can serve you faster and more efficiently. Before attending a game, go to this link: Byron Athletic Homepage where you can pay for the tickets and download them to your phone. Skip the lines and get a better seat for the big game.

Monday, March 31: ~ No Events ~

Tuesday, April 1:

⚾ 5:00pm - Baseball: Boys C Game vs. Faribault @ BMS Field #3

⚾ 5:00pm - Baseball: Boys JV Game vs. Faribault @ BMS Field #2

⚾ 5:00pm - Baseball: Boys Varsity Game vs. Faribault @ BHS Field #10

🥎 5:00pm - Softball: Girls JV Game vs. Cannon Falls @ BMS Field #1

🥎 5:00pm - Softball: Girls JV Game vs. Cannon Falls @ BHS Field #11

Wednesday, April 2:

🏀 6:30pm - Boys Basketball Banquet (BHS Commons)

Thursday, April 3:

🥎 4:30pm - Softball: Girls Varsity Game vs. Austin @ BHS Field #11

👟 4:30pm - Track & Field: Girls & Boys JV & Varsity Dual vs. Kasson-Mantorville @ BHS Stadium⚾ 5:00pm - Baseball: Boys JV Game @ Cannon Falls HS Frank Hawks Field

⚾ 5:00pm - Baseball: Boys Varsity Game @ Cannon Falls John Burch Park

🥎 6:00pm - Softball: Girls JV Game vs. Austin @ BHS Field #11

Friday, April 4:

💬 6:30-8:30pm - Speech Family & Friends Night (BHS Performing Arts Center)

Saturday, April 5:

🎷 7:00pm - HS Band Preview @ BHS Performing Arts Center

• Slice, dice, and debone: Master chicken prep with confidence!

  Cutting Edge: Chicken Prep Made Simple

  Class Date: April 10

  Time: 6-7:30 pm

  Fee: $45

  Take the guesswork out of chicken prep in this 90-minute, hands-on class designed to build your confidence in the kitchen. Learn essential techniques for safely and efficiently trimming, portioning, and deboning chicken like a pro. With a focus on practical skills and reducing waste, this class will teach you how to get the most out of your bird while preparing it for a variety of recipes. Bring your own knives and cutting board, and get ready to transform your poultry prep game. No prior experience required—just a love for cooking!

• Upcoming ECFE Classes
  
  • First Friends - starts April 7
  • Little Cubs Library - begins April 7 at 9:45 am or 6:15 pm

April Youth Enrichment Classes: Youth enrichment classes offer children more than just fun—they provide opportunities to build confidence, explore new interests, and develop essential life skills in a supportive environment. From fostering creativity and teamwork to igniting curiosity for science and technology, these programs give kids a chance to grow, learn, and thrive outside of the traditional classroom.