A futuristic campus in the heart of SE Minnesota

It’s been just over a month since moving into the publisher’s office at the Dodge County Independent. During that first month, I’ve met a lot of good folks. I’ve met the hockey coaching staff (the ones in charge of the county’s premier hockey team). I’ve met Kasson’s mayor early on as he was in a hurry on Main Street. Kasson’s Chamber president stopped long enough for a chat just last week. Even Jim Elmquist, Dodge County administrator, gave me a half hour of his valuable time. Even Terry Jorgenson stopped in to chat.

It’s been like Christmas meeting all of these community leaders. I look forward to more meetings with community leaders and citizens.

Last Monday, Kasson-Mantorville Superintendent Mike Matuska gave me a couple of hours out of his busy day for a tour of the most impressive high school I have seen in the 40-plus years of publishing newspapers small town America.

Wood shop, band practice rooms, robotics, machine shop, all unlike any I have ever seen. And a performing arts center that is the crown jewel of this community’s high school.

It was more than I could have imagined going into the meet and greet. Certainly it was far more sophisticated than anything at Cloquet High School, where I graduated.

This community’s high school is comparable to some community colleges in this or any other state.

It’s a state-of-the-art high school in many ways.

Students that offered their reflection in the digital lathe area in the machine shop were energized by being able to work with equipment that will set them up for success in engineering, technology, science and mathematics.

Showcasing this campus was one proud superintendent, who was in fact, sharing the manner in which this district educates each student for the future job world that lies beyond the walls of that high school.

Each resident of this school district should be energized knowing that their tax dollars that established such facilities is a tremendous investment in educating the children fortunate enough to call K-M their school.

It was a “Go KoMets” kind of day for this newby.