Newsletters 2015-16 Focus newsletter, [2] fall | Page 6

LEADERSHIP IN PUBLIC EDUCATION

PAGE 6

Jim Skelly takes over
as Anoka-Hennepin’s
director of communication and public relations

Jim Skelly,
director of communication
and public relations

Jim Skelly has joined the AnokaHennepin School District as its new
director of communication and public
relations, replacing Mary Olson, who
retired from the position June 30
after more than 32 years in the role.

Skelly brings with him a background in education, non-profit management and city
government communications. Most recently, he was communications manager for Pillsbury United Communities, a large
Minneapolis-based non-profit, and before that spent time as
the communications and marketing coordinator for Farmington
Area Public Schools, and communications coordinator for the
city of Burnsville. In addition, Skelly has previously worked as
the public relations coordinator for Northwest Community
Television based in Brooklyn Park.
A native of Fridley, Skelly holds a bachelor of arts in speechcommunication from the University of Minnesota and earned
an associate of arts from Anoka-Ramsey Community College.
The Anoka-Hennepin School District’s Communication and
Public Relations Department seeks to build awareness, participation and value with district stakeholders to support the
district mission of effectively educating each student for
success. ■

Tammy McBroom joins
district as employee
services manager
The Anoka-Hennepin School District
has hired Tammy McBroom as its new
Employee Services Manager.
“I’m really excited to work for the
[school district] where I live,”
McBroom, who lives in Blaine, said.
Tammy McBroom,
“I feel like working in education really
employee services manager allows you to make a difference in
your community — and that’s definitely my goal.”

2015 Above & Beyond winners, from left, Janet Arkelin, Rob Scott, Shelly Hedstrom, Levi Hansen, Sara
Ferber, Terry Letendre, Jeanne Carney, Beau Dickey, Amy Neuswanger, Christine Godzala-Walytka, Robert
Gamache, Jodi Anderson-Wolhaupter, and Steve Czech.

Nominate Anoka-Hennepin staff who go
“Above & Beyond” for recognition award
Do you know an Anoka-Hennepin staff member who goes above and beyond normal job
expectations to ensure that students receive a high quality education in a safe and nurturing
environment so they can thrive in school and succeed after graduation? Nominate them for
an "Above & Beyond Award.”
Nominations are now being accepted for worthy candidates through Dec. 11, 2015.
Complete the nomination form online or download it at anoka.k12.mn.us/aboveandbeyond.
Send completed forms by mail to Above & Beyond, Anoka-Hennepin Educational Service
Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka, 55303.
A student, parent, staff or community member can submit a nomination. All part- and fulltime employees of Anoka-Hennepin School District are eligible to be nominated unless they
have already won an Above & Beyond Award. Nominations of a group or department will be
considered.
Nominees will be notified and asked to complete application forms by Jan. 29, 2016. Only
employees who complete the application process can be considered for an award.
This program is a joint effort of the Anoka-Hennepin School District and the AnokaHennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF).
A panel of staff and community members will review nomination and application forms and
select the winners.
Each winner will receive an award from the AHEF. Winners
will be recognized at a ceremony April 27, 2016.
For more information visit anoka.k12.mn.us/aboveandbeyond,
or call Twanika Sawyer, 763-506-1014. ■

McBroom comes to the district after spending the last five
years at Augsburg College as a benefits specialist and then a
human resources (HR) generalist. She’s also held HR roles at
Gander Mountain and Fortune 500 engineering company
Parker Hannifin.

Students and Community Members sought
for anti-bullying/anti-harassment task force

“Her work experience at Augsburg has deepened her interest and commitment to work in the field of education,” Sarah
Kriewall, the district’s director of employee services, said. “I
believe that Tammy will be a great fit for the employee services department and for our organization, and I’m excited to
have her join us.”

Students and community members concerned about eliminating bullying are invited to
serve on the Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Task Force of the Anoka-Hennepin School
District. This group is charged with advising the district on how best to foster a positive
educational climate for all students. Terms last through the 2015-16 school year.

McBroom decided to pursue a career in employee services
after taking a HR elective class during her undergraduate
studies at St. Cloud State University.
“I knew I wanted to do something in business,” she recalled.
“And, after taking that class, I felt like HR was something I
could see myself doing as a career.”
“And I knew I was too much of an extrovert for accounting,”
she added jokingly.
McBroom graduated SCSU’s Herberger Business School with
a degree in HR management and since then has also earned
her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification, as
well as the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
certification. ■

Nov. 7 • 9 a.m.
The Bean Café
15190 Bluebird St. NW
Andover

The task force, which will also include educators, will meet in four sessions to plan, conduct
and evaluate strategies to increase student voice into anti-bullying and anti-harrassment
efforts. The task force will hold a full-day workshop on March 4, which will involve students
from schools across the district. Two planning meetings will proceed the workshop and a
session to analyze results and form School Board recommendations will follow.
Those interested in serving on the task force should complete an application form, available on the district website at anoka.k12.mn.us/antibullyTF, or by calling Laurie Rasmusson,
at 763-506-1081. Mail applications to Dr. Jennifer Cherry, Title IX and equity coordinator,
Educational Service Center, 2727 N Ferry St., Anoka, MN 55303-1650.
Applications are due by Nov. 13.
For more information, contact Cherry at 763-506-1120 or jennifer