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Dr. Jennifer Lowery, Secretary
Harrisburg
605-743-2567
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President’s Message
Justin Downes, Superintendent
Milbank School Dist.
President’s Message
It is an incredible honor to serve as the President of the South Dakota School Superintendents Association. I am grateful for the opportunity to represent and work alongside the outstanding school leaders who serve students and communities across our state.
Serving as a superintendent can be both incredibly rewarding and incredibly challenging. Every day, we are asked to make difficult decisions, navigate changing expectations, manage limited resources, and lead our schools through an ever-changing educational landscape. Yet, we continue to show up each day because we believe deeply in our students, our staff, and the communities we serve.
One of the greatest strengths of SDSSA is that we do not have to navigate those challenges alone. Our association provides an opportunity to learn from one another, share ideas, ask difficult questions, and support each other through both the successes and challenges of district leadership. Whether you lead a large system or a small rural district, there is tremendous value in the collective experience and wisdom of South Dakota’s superintendents.
As president, I want to continue building on that strength. My hope for this year is that SDSSA remains a place where superintendents can come together, learn from one another, advocate for public education, and develop the leadership capacity necessary to move our schools forward.
We have much to be proud of in South Dakota education. Our schools are doing exceptional things, our educators continue to make a difference in the lives of students, and our communities remain deeply invested in the success of their schools. At the same time, we know there are challenges ahead. Those challenges will require us to work together, communicate effectively, and remain focused on what matters most: providing our students with the best possible opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed.
I look forward to serving with the SDSSA Executive Board, our association members, and our partners throughout the state. Most importantly, I look forward to listening to our members and learning from the experiences of superintendents across South Dakota.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It is truly an honor, and I look forward to a great year together.
Justin Downes
President
South Dakota School Superintendents Association
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