BHM Schools entered the school year with a new but familiar hand at the helm of Community Education.
Jen Greenhagen has been serving as the director of Community Education since mid-July, when former director Eric Erlandson took a new position with Eden Prairie Schools.
While there were a number of quality candidates for the position, Superintendent Scott Thielman and Human Resources Director Evan Ronken said that Greenhagen became the clear first choice through three rounds of interviews and evaluations. Her growth mindset, collaborative and relational leadership style, and commitment to Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools were standout qualities appreciated by the hiring committee.
Students and staff members welcomed the state’s top educator to Buffalo High School on Monday, Oct. 19, and Commissioner Willie Jett felt right at home.
The Minnesota Department of Education leader stopped by to tour classrooms, interact with students, and connect with teachers and administrators.
Afterward, impressed by the variety of classes, the calm atmosphere, the absence of cell phone distractions, articulate students and engaging instructors, Jett recalled his own efforts throughout his career to create a culture of belonging.
“For a kid, parent or staff member, this feels like the place to be,” Jett told BHS Principal Mark Mischke at the conclusion of his visit. “There’s a place for everybody. My children could be here. It felt like home.”
After another busy summer of construction, projects outlined for the public before and after the 2023 bond referendum are nearly complete. As promised, voter approval of $41.5 million in bond funds has improved security, building integrity and operating efficiency across the district.
After the installation of some unitary playground surfaces in 2024, the rest of the playgrounds and a majority of the projects took place in 2025, highlighted by the construction of new secure entrances at the middle school and high school, and the implementation of automated door locking systems district-wide.
A two-year mechanical overhaul at Buffalo Community Middle School began in 2025 and was completed in the summer of 2026, involving the replacement of obsolete steam heating systems with more efficient hot water systems and adding dehumidification to the lower-level activity spaces. Some re-roofing work also took place at BCMS in 2026.
When Minnesota voters go to the polls on or before Nov. 3 they will have an opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to provide additional funding for public schools without raising taxes.
Since the 1850s, the state has set aside proceeds from public lands such as timber sales, mining and land leases in the Permanent School Fund to help fund public schools. The money cannot be used for any other purpose. The amendment would modernize the way the funds are distributed, increasing the annual distribution percentage from about 2.5% to 4.5%, which would result in an increase of about $33 per student. For BHM, that means about $150,000 more annually.
When she raised her hand last spring, Stella Schlak could hardly imagine the adventure that would ensue.
Each year, as a writing exercise, eighth-grade AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students put together a proposal to be a student speaker at an AVID Summer Institute, which draws thousands of teachers from around the country to learn new skills. Students then have a choice if they want to actually go through the process to apply to be a student speaker.
“I was kind of thinking to myself, ‘I don’t think I’m going to waste my time doing this, because what are the odds? Thousands of kids are doing this. What are the odds that I’m going to actually win?’” said Schlak, now a ninth-grader at Buffalo High School.
Congratulations to Oliver Packard, this year's nominee for the 2027 Star of the North Award presented by the Minnesota Educators of the Gifted and Talented.
The first 'B1 Bison Night' was a memorable evening for everyone involved.
About 130 kindergartners representing the Class of 2039 were welcomed to The Herd by Buffalo High School seniors, the Class of 2027, on Thursday evening, Sept. 3, before the first home football game of the season.
BHM Schools is pleased to announce that Dr. Cynthia Mueller will become the district’s new Director of Teaching and Learning on July 1.
Dr. Mueller, who has a history with BHM Schools and a background in administrative and curricular leadership, will step in for Pam Miller, who is retiring after 22 years in the role.
At present, Dr. Mueller serves as a Principal on Special Assignment and District Literacy Specialist for White Bear Lake Area Schools. She was also an elementary school principal for White Bear Lake Area Schools from 2017-23.
For the past half century, Nancy Anderson has nurtured some of the youngest learners in the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose area.
This summer, she will retire after 43 years at Hanover Elementary, 50 years with BHM Schools overall, and 51 total years of teaching.
“I think the only remarkable thing about my career is the longevity,” she said. “I don’t think there’s anything else that’s really noteworthy other than I couldn’t figure out how to stop. I’ve always enjoyed it.”
