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Meet our Board of Education and review the meeting schedule, latest meeting minutes, or the agenda for an upcoming meeting. Board of Education The Board of Education meets on the third Monday of each month at 6:00 PM in the ECC Foyer, enter through Door #1 Agendas & Minutes District Policies Recorded Board Meetings Ellie Holm - Director, Rian Hofstad - Chairperson, Jon Andres - Clerk, Lucas Boyd - Director, Randy Hackett - Vice Chairperson, and Maria Traut - Treasurer

We develop lifelong learners ready for an ever changing world. Learn more about Royalton Public Schools today. Click to view New Enrollment We are pleased you are interested in enrolling your child in Royalton Public Schools! Give us a call at (320) 584-4000 or use the link below. Click to view Strategic Plan Royalton's strategic plan guides the work of staff, students, and community in achieving its goals. It helps align resources, set priorities and enhance overall student outcomes. Click to view Communication Plan Royalton's communication plan is to ensure all stakeholders receive timely and effective communication, so they have the best possible experience at Royalton Public Schools. Click to view Our Mission Create a welcoming and safe environment where all students and staff are empowered and challenged to achieve their personal best. Click to view Royalton's Voice Royalton's Voice is a forum for YOU to share your questions, concerns, compliments, and more. Each post is anonymous and will be reviewed by school personnel. If you'd like a response, include your email address. We hope this will be an avenue to have greater communication with you long-term. School Board Meeting Monday, May 12, 2025 Regular Board Meeting IN-PERSON & ONLINE ( Zoom Link) 120 SOUTH HAWTHORN, ROYALTON Early Childhood Entrance Foyer, Enter Door #1 Prom 2025 Prom 2025 Prom 2025 Prom 2025 Annual Royalton Greenhouse Sale Annual Royalton Greenhouse Sale Annual Royalton Greenhouse Sale Annual Royalton Greenhouse Sale Mr. Goldade's Greenhouse Management class has been hard at work seeding, transplanting, and designing baskets all spring! Come get what you need for your garden this year on they dates and times: Friday, May 9th, 3-5 pm Saturday, May 10th, 10 am - 2 pm Sunday, May 11th, 10 am - 2 pm Friday, May 16th, 3 am - 5 pm Saturday, May 17th, 10 am - 2 pm Tomatoes, Peppers, Petunias, Porch Pots, Bedding Plants, & Hanging Baskets!!! Tomatoes, Peppers, Petunias, Porch Pots, Bedding Plants, & Hanging Baskets!!! Tomatoes, Peppers, Petunias, Porch Pots, Bedding Plants, & Hanging Baskets!!! Tomatoes, Peppers, Petunias, Porch Pots, Bedding Plants, & Hanging Baskets!!! Good things are happening. #RoyaltonRoyals Morrison County Record Skyward Family Access District Calendar Menus & Nutrition Community Education Employment Opportunities Athletics Livestream Volunteer Application STaff QUICK LINKS Employee Resource Center Skyward Gradebook Employee Email SMART eR Frontline STAR Assessments Help Desk Proliftic

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment May 2020 Student of the Month Mackenzie Beam Royalton Faculty and Staff would like to announce that Mackenzie Beam has been named the Student of the Month for May. Mackenzie notes that her family has helped her get to where she is today in more ways than she can think of. They have shaped her into the person she is by always being there for her when she needs them most, and push her to always do her best. She states that she is grateful for her five siblings because they have helped her find her way through life and allowed her to follow in their footsteps. Her family has taught her to always go after her dreams and if it doesn’t work out, she will always have their support and her faith to get her through it. Mackenzie’s favorite classes this past year were STATS and English. These were her favorite because the class atmosphere was always high and energetic. Ms. Menden and Mr. Silbernick made their classes enjoyable to be in, which made the hour go by fast. She notes that her favorite teacher is Ms. Menden. Although she has only had her for one year of English 12, she has made a big effort to really connect and get to know all of the students in Mackenzie’s class. One of her favorite things is that Ms. Menden was always smiling in class and made everyday fun, exciting and full of energy. At RHS, Mackenzie has been involved in Y.E.S. Club, Spanish Club, Minnesota Honor Society, and Student Council. She explains that she joined all of these organizations to try and get out of her comfort zone and be more involved. Her favorite High School activity was Student Council, especially in setting up for Homecoming. It was one of her favorites because seeing all of the other students having fun, smiling, and laughing was a great reward for all the hard work they all had put into that week. Mackenzie believes that she gained some leadership skills and more confidence by being involved in these various activities. Chris Coppicus, Royalton High School Band Director, would like to highlight that, “Mackenzie is a quiet leader in the band. She comes to class with a smile on her face everyday and puts in the work. Now that we are distance learning I am finding that Mackenzie is a stronger clarinet player than I first thought and she will be greatly missed next year.” Outside of school, she is involved in 4-H through Benton County. In the Spring, she gets pigs and raises them until August when they are taken to the Benton County Fair to show. She has a lot of fun making memories with her cousins at the fair, as well. Mackenzie’s favorite High School memory was when the power went out this past Fall and all the Seniors gathered in the Lion's Den in a circle sang songs and made memories. Next year she will be attending the University of Wisconsin, River Falls, majoring in Elementary Education. She is planning to teach either first or second grade. Tammy Shaughnessy, Kindergarten teacher at Royalton Elementary School states, “Mackenzie has been a student intern in my kindergarten class since the beginning of the school year. She has always been very reliable, showing up every day prepared and ready to jump into action with the students. She spent a lot of time reading with the kindergartners, playing learning games, assisting with small-group activities, helping with writing, and countless other activities. The students loved having Miss Mackenzie come into our classroom and they always hoped they were the next ones who got to read with her. She has an extremely kind heart and is so respectful of all students and their unique needs. Even in our unprecedented situation, where students may be feeling bombarded with distance learning, Mackenzie reached out to me and asked if she could join the Google Hangout with the kindergartners. The kids were very happy to see that Miss Mackenzie was able to join us.” Her advice for High School Freshman is, “soak it all in because the time really does go by fast!”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back January 2020 Artist of the Month Logan Sullivan Royalton High School sophomore Logan Sullivan was recently named January Artist of the month. Sullivan is the son of Luke and Laura Sullivan, and credits his parents for guiding him in the area of the visual arts. "My dad doesn't like to admit it, but he is very talented in the arts." stated Sullivan. " My mother graduated from Royalton High School and not only provided me with materials to pursue the visual arts, but also helped me to take school more seriously. Without her encouragement, I don't think I would be doing nearly the level of artwork that I am currently." he added. "Logan Sullivan has the ability to take subject matter apart and then put the shapes back together again, much the same way as in the style of Cubism," stated Royalton High School Art Instructor Carl Halverson. "In middle school, students first learn vocabulary which centers on the elements and principles of design. They are then tested to make sure that they understand this first step. After learning the vocabulary of art, it then can then be applied and practiced to more clearly understand the meaning of the artwork, rather than just the process of applying paint to "make a really cool picture." For students like Logan, an artwork's success doesn't mirror reality. The meaning is in his understanding and application of the elements of art, the tools, which include the lines, shapes, colors, and textures. It is unified by the principles, the rules of art, which include emphasis, contrast, balance and pattern to name a few. His work pushes the boundaries of art itself. It is unique and original, which pretty much describes Logan Sullivan." "My biggest inspiration for my art is my sister, Maja." said Sullivan. "She is very gifted in the visual and vocal arts. Maja attended the Perpich Institute of Art, which in turn, has influenced me a lot. She taught me things about art and I learned a lot about myself as well. I hadn't been very involved in Art until about eighth grade. That's when I really learned the basics, and practiced the fundamental skills of the elements and principles of design. Once I started to work again in ninth grade drawing class, I never looked back. I am largely inspired by Salvador Dali's subject matter but my favorite artists would include Henri Matisse, Wassily Kandinsky, and Andy Warhol. After I graduate from the Perpich Institute of Art, I hope to attend the University of Arizona. I am very grateful for my family and for Mr. Halverson for providing me with many opportunities to learn and further my artistic career.

< Hall of Fame Joseph Cimenski Class of 1964 Inducted May 2018 Joseph Cimenski, a 1964 graduate of Royalton High School, was the oldest child in a family of 13 siblings. Joe was a humble, fun-loving and hardworking young man. At a young age, his curiosity in mechanics and engineering was sparked working in his dad's mechanic shop. While attending high school, Joe was successful in academics and activities. He was involved in band, class play, and was selected as Snow Ball King. He was a four year Letterman and captain of the football and basketball teams. Joe had the honor of representing and playing in the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament. Joe's leadership skills can be traced back to this time as he was Class President and Student Council President. Following graduation from high school,Joe attended the University of Minnesota where he obtained a degree in Aerospace Engineering. While in college, Joe was recognized for his relentless persistence for learning as he often sought out professors until he understood the concepts of the course. Joe enlisted in the Navy in 1969 and was a Battalion Commander. While in flight school, he was on the Captain's List for academic excellence for all three years. He graduated from Training Command School as #1 in his class. Jo received his Naval Aviator "Wings of Gold" in 1971 while he attended Naval War College in Providence, RI. Joe flew for the Navy for 22 years and retired in 2001 as a Captain (06) with over 30 years of continuous service While continuing his service in the Navy, Joe was able to find his passion as he landed a career in aerospace. In 1974, he was hired at General Dynamics (G.D.) in San Diego. He was assigned to the Fluid Systems Design Group for the Centaur Rocket on the Atlas, Titan and later Shuttle Space Launch Vehicles. Joe was given two special assignments, to work on the classified Tomahawk Cruise Missile fuel system design and the NASA X-33 Systems Engineering. Joe's efforts at G.D. supported Mariner spacecraft to all the planets in the solar system and beyond. He had a hand in sending the only man made objects out of the solar system entirely into interstellar space. Joe's signature (literally) is on Mars aboard one of the Viking landers. As a natural leader. Joe was promoted and served as Chairman of the AlAA Liquid Rocket Propulsion Technical Subcommittee for two years. He was also a project manager. In this capacity, Joe was responsible for the performance of several contracts for propulsion and propellant feed components. He oversaw contracts worth over $375 million for Centaur main rocket engines alone. In his career in aerospace, Joe was much decorated as he received three extraordinary achievement awards: Excel Award, Special Recognition Award from General Dynamics and Nominee for the General Managers Award, the GD's highest honor. From 1987-1990, Joe's first four years in the Program management, his overall performance evaluation grade was "exceptional," the highest possible at General Dynamics. Joe retired from the Navy in 2000 and from Lockheed Martin, previously General Dynamics, as Senior Engineering Specialist in 2012 after 38 years of continuous service. Joe and his wife Melanie reside in Lone Tree, Colorado. His children are Jason, Joshua, Jessica, and Jennifer.

< Hall of Fame Matt Palmer Class of 1984 Inducted May 2010 Matt Palmer graduated from RHS in 1984. Palmer was a two-time state wrestling champion for Royalton and was a leader on three conference championship teams in the early 1980’s. He was named the team’s MVP two times during his high school career. Palmer finished his high school career with 121 wins and still holds three school wrestling records. Palmer attended North Dakota State University where he starred in wrestling as a two-time Division II All-American and was the National Runner-up in his weight class during his junior year. NDSU lost only three duals while Palmer was a member of the team. Matt graduated with a teaching degree from NDSU and has continued to share his love of wrestling as the head wrestling coach at Monticello High School for the past 16 years.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment October 2018 Student of the Month Nathan Popp Nathan Popp, son of Larry and Renee Popp, has been named October Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). He has four siblings, Allison, Corey, Nicole, and Aaron. Popp named Agriculture teacher Robert Skwira as one of his favorite teachers, and ‘growing green’, a class Skwira taught when Popp was a freshman, as his favorite class. Here is what Swira had to say about Popp. “Nathan Popp is a great young man. He is gifted and talented in many ways. In the classroom his work is done with extreme quality. Outside of the classroom he is a leader in the activities that he participates in. Students look up to him because he treats others with respect and shows them he genuinely cares about them. Nathan will succeed in whatever he does after high school! Congratulations Nathan!” Popp has been active in many activities throughout his high school career, including football, basketball, baseball, National Honor Society, Student Council, FFA, and 4-H. A favorite memory for Nathan was making it to the Section 7AA championship game 3 years in a row in football, and all the success the team has had through the seasons. “Nathan is an exceptional student as well as an exceptional athlete. He works to understand material whether in the classroom or on the playing fields. Nate understands how to use his practicing to perform well come test/game time.” said science teacher and head boys basketball coach Randy Thielges. After high school, Nathan plans to attend St. Cloud State University to double major in Accounting and Finance. Nathan’s advice to freshmen is: “Have fun in high school, don’t take for granted the time you get to have with your friends. Take every opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Things that I am the proudest about with my time in high school started out as a thing that I thought I could not do.”

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back December 2019 Artist of the Month Autumn Larson After Christmas break, Royalton High School named Autumn Larson as December's Artist of the Month. Larson, a junior, is the daughter of Coralynn and Jesse Martin of Rice. She has been "doodling" characters on lined paper for as long as she can remember, and now is focused on turning these characters into something more than just a hobby. "As soon as I could pick up a pencil or a brush, everything that I had been thinking about fades away and I focus only on my artwork until I put the pencil down. During this time, it's a weightless feeling of freedom that I've never felt with anything else despite trying to replicate it with other activities," said Larson. "For a very long time, I've dreamed of creating a world that compares to the numerous books that I have read in the early years of my life. It was this year in my Design class that Mr. Halverson asked us to find an idea that we could really invest ourselves into as the Final Design project. My Ultra Violet project started in my freshman year with Sophie as the main character. She made her slow journey over the years into a shape-shifting creature with 200 years of fictional history behind the world that she lives in. The plot of the storybook will tell the reader how simply that Sophie went from Earth to Lyvida, the fairytale world that her story is set in. In one frame, Sophie is shown at her birthday party, and in the next, she is waving goodbye to her friends. As the story progresses, she discovers that if she wishes to become a fairy, she will need to grow wings. The rest of the story will show snapshots of her future adventures and the characters, like her "adoptive" father, Jinn, who will help her reach her destination in life." "While working with at all of the talented, student-artists who take art classes at Royalton High School, it sometimes is a tough task to select just one student who earned the Artist of the Month honor," stated Visual Art Instructor Carl Halverson. "December had a few artists who could have been selected. It was clear to me after seeing the time and dedication that Autumn Larson put into her original storybook, that she had clearly earned the honor. It's not just a rendered copy of a subject in which a student showcases their improvement in skills that are practiced in an art class. In this case, it is the development of a character that is totally original, never seen before, that comes to life in the artist's choice of medium. The Design goes one step further in the fact that no one knows the storyline until the artist decides where they will take you on their journey. I have an Albert Einstein quote hanging in my room which reads, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." I can teach a student the Knowledge of subject matter through the Elements and Principles of Design or by studying Art History. I can improve a student's technical abilities through the daily exercise and practice of drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media or photography projects. But I can't teach a student the "Imagination" piece that it takes to create the Original work that Autumn has shared with us in her Final Design project. This piece is a gift that never stops giving through the work created by these exceptional young people that I have had the privilege of working with for all of these years. " "I'm very grateful for the teachers that I've had, like Mr. Halverson, who have pushed me to travel down the road of Visual Art," added Larson. "I'm also very grateful for my Mom for believing that my "doodles" would one day be something so much more."

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment September 2018 Student of the Month Jenna Carlson Jenna Carlson, daughter of Shelly and Dail Carlson, has been named the September Student of the Month at Royalton High School (RHS). Jenna has three siblings; Brianna and Zach who graduated from RHS, and Connor who is an 8th grader at Royalton. Jenna’s favorite class is Sociology and Psychology, which is an ITV class taught by Frank Weber. She also mentioned Spanish teacher Lindsey Gruber as one of her favorite teachers. “Jenna is a role model to her peers and underclassmen. She puts her best effort into everything she does, whether it be an assignment, a test, a practice, or a game. She is respectful to everyone, no matter who they are, and makes our school more positive place,” Gruber said. Social studies teacher and head girls basketball coach Brad Baumann said, "I believe Jenna is a truly exceptional student and individual. Jenna always has a smile on her face and is the type of person that will go out of her way to help anyway she can, whether it's in the classroom, in extracurriculars or outside of school. She is a great leader and works hard at everything she does, and doesn't settle for anything other than her best. I think we're extremely fortunate here at Royalton to have Jenna as one of our students and one of our student leaders. Her character and work ethic is a great example for younger students and as a parent myself I would love to see my child follow in her footsteps." Carlson is very involved in activities at school including volleyball, basketball, softball, National Honors Society, Student Council, Tech Club, YES club, Spanish Club, WE Day, and Knowledge Bowl. A favorite school memory for Jenna was all of homecoming week this year. Especially getting tackled by the preschool and kindergarten girls when royalty visited them at lunch, and also driving the golf cart around the field at the football game. Carlson plans to double major in Biology and Spanish with a focus on pre medicine. Then continue on to PA school. Jenna’s advice to freshmen is, “Challenge yourself, get involved, enjoy the little things, and SMILE! It makes a difference!”

< Hall of Fame Jeff "Olsen" Oelrich Class of 1988 Inducted May 2011 Jeff Oelrich is a 1988 graduate of Royalton High School. At RHS, Jeff was involved in yearbook, Student Council, Jazz Band, Spanish Club, Knowledge Bowl, was the President of the National Honor Society and was the class salutatorian. Jeff attended St. Cloud State University and became involved in mass communications and radio broadcasting. Jeff began deejaying at KCLD, BOB 100FM, WLOL, and hosted the KOOL 108 Morning Show as Jeff Olsen. He was also involved in television where he did anchor work in Alexandria, Rochester, and with KARE 11. Jeff wears many hats at KARE 11 including reporting for the Sunrise Morning Show and is used as an anchor and host for various TV and news broadcasts. Jeff met his wife Julianna while working in Rochester and together they have 4 children. Jeff has been honored by the Minnesota Broadcasters Association, The United Way, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, and the MS Society. Jeff was named the Twin Cities Radio Personality of the Year in 2005.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment January 2021 Student of the Month Rylee Johnson Royalton High School announced that Rylee Johnson was selected as student of the Month for January, 2021. She is the daughter of Kevin and Natalie Johnson. Family has been a huge impact in Rylee’s life. She states,”My parents are the strongest people I know and they have taught me that regardless of the obstacle there is always a way to persevere. My sisters have also had a huge impact on me and my success in high school.” Throughout high school, Johnson has been involved in Cross Country, Track, FFA, BPA, We Club, Student Council, and National Honor Society. The activities that she is most involved in are Cross Country and Student Council. “Rylee has been a vocal leader on our Cross Country and Track and Field teams. There is no doubt that Rylee will make an impact in her future workplace and community. Thanks for all your hard work over the years. I wish you all the best,” said Michael Marschel, Cross Country and Track coach. “I have the opportunity to work with Rylee in Student Council. Rylee is a hardworking, driven young lady. She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for Survivor Week and throughout the school year. I look forward to seeing her grow as a student in the future,” stated Jeanne Omvig, science teacher and Student Council advisor. Johnson’s favorite class is human body systems. Her interest in the medical field made her take it. She ended up enjoying that class very much. Rylee says, “Ms. Gerads is a very dedicated teacher and puts a lot of work into the class to make it both knowledgeable and enjoyable.” If Johnson had to pick a favorite teacher, she would pick Ms. Ploof. Ms. Ploof was her homeroom teacher and her choir teacher. “Ms. Ploof has helped me become a better singer and person throughout high school, and I can honestly say I would not be the same without her,” Johnson said. “Besides being an excellent student, Rylee has also become a great singer. As with everything she does, she has worked very hard at developing her singing voice. She is a great role model for other singers in choir!” says Cheri Ploof. After high school Johnson plans to complete her associate’s degree at St. Cloud State University and her bachelor’s degree in biology hopefully at the University of Washington-Seattle. She then hopes to enroll in medical school to pursue a career in family medicine. “In ten years time, I see myself finishing my medical residency and finally becoming a physician.” Rylee had some advice to freshmen out there, “My advice to freshmen is to make the most of the next four years. High school has a lot to offer and your experience is based on the opportunities you choose to chase. This is the time to try new things, make mistakes, and live a little because pretty soon you’ll be graduating too.” Listen to her advice and maybe you will be student of the month in high school.

< Middle/High School Academics District Calendar Guidance Office Media Center New Enrollment < Back November 2019 Artist of the Month Jordan Pesta Jordan Pesta, the daughter of Neil Pesta and Brenda Weiss-Pesta, is Royalton High School's November Artist of the Month. She has explored many different electronic mediums besides the usual, traditional applications that are offered at the high school level. "I’ve always loved doing art, ever since I could pick up a pencil. Mr. Halverson has helped me further my career in art by offering instruction and support in classes like Drawing, Painting, and Graphic Illustration to develop my artistic ability and discover a love of different media. My personal favorite mediums are acrylic and watercolor along with drawing digitally on my phone or computer. Illustrating and painting have helped to take the worlds out of my head and onto paper and canvas. I want to share the pictures I visualize and the stories I create with the world as much as I can. Each subject has its own abstract way of being viewed, like my toucan painting or watercolor. They are both original paintings inspired by either things I see in life or just brought life in my head. Since middle school, I’ve been bringing characters to life and developing stories about their lives in my head. I one day hope to illustrate these stories in a graphic novel. Characters are, in a way, bits and pieces of their creator’s personality projected onto said characters. You create what you are, essentially." Pesta's favorite teacher at Royalton High School is visual arts instructor, Carl Halverson. Halverson thinks that Pesta is the most diversified of all of the talented art students he has ever seen. "Jordan excels to new levels in every medium that she picks up," said Halverson. "From traditional to nontraditional artforms; from creating original characters to applying computer generated animation; she transitions so seamlessly. Her original characters tell stories, that are as unique to the reader, as the characters are themselves. The best post secondary options for a student with Jordan's abilities can't be judged by where they are located, but rather, by what they are producing in the way of successful artists. Several artists with a degree earned from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, (Matthew Meyer, Dan Lund, and Justin Weber) for example, were members of the team of animators who created the Disney film Frozen, which won an Oscar. In Jordan's case, I truly believe that she has all of the ability in the world to pursue character development and illustration and as a career. I also believe that any school with a visual art program, in the area or the state for that matter, would welcome Jordan as a student. After all, they are businesses which profit from students attending and filling their programs. But unless they have a program with recent graduates who are extremely successful in their respective fields, they pretty much sound and resemble a "good, honest car salesman", (if one of these types of salesmen actually does exist.) Royalton High School's Visual Arts program has graduates who have become Art Teachers, Graphic Designers, Freelance Artists, Web Page Designers, and Illustrators to name a few of the many careers in the field. We are about to add a Famous Animator to this list in my opinion. All I can do as a high school art instructor, is try to point her in the direction of her strengths. Jordan Pesta has so many artistic strengths, that I believe she will be one of these students who will join the ranks of like the previously mentioned artists above. Artists, who don't sit around at a local pub talking about their glory days of high school. Instead, Artists who have actually held up an Oscar in their hands or published a book that they wrote as well as illustrated. She will be missed around here, but if I were a betting man, I would bet that she will return one day, extremely successful." After high school, Pesta hopes to attend a college centered around artistic careers or offering pathways to the art field. She has been looking into, and is in the process of applying to, the Academy of Art University, the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and the Savannah College of Art and Design.