Outgoing Board Chair Tom Heidemann recognized for service
(12/13/19) After 20 years of service, during which he recognized thousands of Anoka-Hennepin students and staff during meetings, chair Tom Heidemann earned his first-ever School Board recognition medal this week.
For Heidemann, the Dec. 9 School Board meeting was his last after serving two decades as an Anoka-Hennepin School Board member. His years of service was recognized with an official commendation during the meeting, which included a School Board recognition medal.
“Tom, the strength of a leader is instilling hope that, when you’re gone, great things will happen,” Superintendent David Law said during the meeting. “You have left us hopeful.”
Some of Heidemann’s recent accomplishments include helping lead the school district through the successful implementation of a large-scale, districtwide facility improvement plan that was made possible by passage of the 2017 Fit for the Future referendum, and leading the implementation of a cutting-edge, data-driven continuous improvement model, which has caught the eye of school districts across the nation.
“Tom’s community service spans many years prior and through his time on the board,” said Vice Chair Marci Anderson, during the meeting. She pointed to his service as president of multiple Anoka High School booster clubs and the Wilson Elementary School PTO, his time on the Governor’s Education Funding Reform Task Force, and a number of other local and regional groups.
Anoka High School Principal Michael Farley also spoke during the board meeting in recognition of Heidemann.
“It’s awesome to see the things that you’ve accomplished in 20 years,” Farley said. “And as I was listening to all the wonderful comments, I thought of the number of times I’ve sat in front of this group and watched you give recognition to thousands of students and staff over the years, so I find it ironic tonight that we get an opportunity, and I think it is very fitting, to honor you for the great work that you’ve done.”
Heidemann was emotional and thankful for all of the recognition and kind words.
“Twenty years went by really fast,” he said. “It’s been really a great run. I didn’t really seek out being a School Board member. It just happened. And once I’m into something, I give it everything I have. And that’s what I tried to do. And I think we’ve done really good work.”
Erin Heers-McArdle was elected to serve District 1 on the board in the November election, and will begin in January. District 1 serves portions of Andover, Coon Rapids, Ramsey and the entire City of Anoka.
Watch the Dec. 9 School Board meeting.