Thue Takes on Challenges of School Board

Amy Thue is the newest member on the Milbank School District Board of Education. Monday’s board meeting (Sept 14) marks the commencement of her duties in an official capacity with school in session.

Thue, Communications Director for Avera Health, was appointed to the board to replace Gwen Biersbach, who stepped down. “I knew they were looking for someone and after talking to Shiela Bien, I decided this was a great opportunity for me.”

Thue has always been passionate about school and grew up spending much of her time there. Her mother, Cheryl Conrad, taught at Koch Elementary in Milbank for 42 years. She knows this helped her to learn at an early age the dedication and hard work teaching requires.

As an MHS graduate, she understands the Bulldog tradition and takes great pride in the school. She also has three daughters enrolled. One is in elementary, one in middle school and one in high school. “With those things in mind, I thought I was the perfect fit,” she said.

Thue hopes to take her experiences and add to the already outstanding school board. “I want to be a part of continuing a great system and make sure we keep our focus on the students.”

She thinks financing, as always, will be an important issue. “It’s going to get harder, I’m afraid,” she said, “to keep the unique electives and options in place despite the challenges we may face with financing.” Without them, though, she believes many students would not be exposed to those experiences. “We need those things to help prepare
our students for the future.”

One big change she has seen over the years is the use of technology. Students now take AP and online classes and use iPads and Chromebooks in the classroom. Along with these improvements, she noted, come additional responsibilities for teachers and staff. “We now have an obligation to teach internet safety. That in itself is a big job.”

She paused suddenly to stress her point, “I am looking forward to supporting the school in my new role, though, not running the school. We are very fortunate with the administration we have and I look forward to working with them.”

Thue will serve on the board for a one-year term with the option of taking out a petition for the remaining two years.