Dear Brookings School District Community,

I am honored to welcome you to the Brookings School District. As your superintendent, I am dedicated to ensuring the Brookings School District is considered a district of choice and a place where students, educators, and families thrive.

The city of Brookings is also home to South Dakota State University. The presence of both learning institutions significantly promotes and places a high value on education. The synergy between our district and the university is further amplified by the incredible support we both receive from the Brookings community.

Our district takes great pride in providing state-of-the-art learning facilities and we are proud to announce the opening of two new K-3 buildings in the fall of 2024. This significant enhancement to the learning environment for our youngest learners would not have been possible without the unwavering support and commitment from the Brookings community. As we work to ensure a smooth transition into the new buildings, we will concurrently focus on assessing other buildings' facility and maintenance needs to lay the groundwork for future improvements.

Brooking’s learners can be assured that academic data is now being critically analyzed and staff is deliberate about improving instructional strategies and learning practices. Our dedicated staff will engage in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to create a continuous system of improvement based on individual student data. If you’ve ever wondered about the activities taking place on Wednesday afternoons during early dismissal, I can assure you that moving forward, considerable time will be dedicated to analyzing student performance, followed by subsequent conversations on how our teachers will tailor instructional practices to meet the identified needs.

Brookings School District recognizes that students' social and emotional well-being is integral to their overall success. Once again, community collaboration and the effective use of shared resources are pivotal in removing obstacles and fostering the welfare of our students. Internally, we are actively evaluating our learning environments through the work of PBIS teams. These teams have a specific goal in each building: to shape a culture built on respect and responsibility and to create school environments that empower every student with shared accountability to make positive behaviors the standard.

Since my arrival, I have been overwhelmed by the support and kindness displayed during my transition. The potential of the Brookings School District is immeasurable, and I am enthusiastic about the work ahead. Together, united, we can achieve far more than when divided, and I am committed to working tirelessly to build the trust of this incredibly deserving district.

With Bobcat Pride,

Dr. Summer Schultz
Superintendent of Schools