• The TAM Board meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm via Zoom.  The Zoom link can be found on the board agenda for each meeting.  The public is welcome to join the meetings in person at each school site for the meetings.  DREAM Technical Academy is located at 1705 16th Street NE in Willmar and CHOICE Technical Academy is located at 315 South Grove Ave. in Owatonna. 

     

    To join the TAM Board monthly meetings, please click here.

     

    The meeting dates for the 23-24 school year are as follows:

     

    Tuesday, July 25, 2023 (changed to August 1, 2023 in order to have a quorum)

    Tuesday, August 22, 2023

    Tuesday, September 26, 2023

    Tuesday, October 24, 2023 - Annual Meeting and Board Elections

    Monday, October 30, 2023 - Special Board Meeting

    Tuesday, November, 28, 2023

    Tuesday, December 19, 2023 - change of date due to holiday break

    Tuesday, January 23, 2024

    Tuesday, February 27, 2024

    Tuesday, March 26, 2024 (changed to April 1, 2024 due to bad weather)

    Tuesday, April 23, 2024

    Tuesday, May 28, 2024

    Tuesday, June 25, 2024

     

    Click here to see the calendar and timeline for submitting information to be placed on the agenda.


  • What is a School Board?


    Every school district has a governing body called the school board. The school board is made up of various residents of the district, including teachers, parents, and community members, and each member has a say in the decisions of the district. Board members make up several committees who are responsible for the district's Finances, Expansion, Governance, and Academic Excellence

    Board Meetings are held once a month -- the Technical Academies of Minnesota meets on the 4th Tuesday of each month. 

Phone: 507-990-0327

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Jim Barnes, Community Member/Board Chair, Ex Officio of all Board Committees

I have lived in Owatonna for 20+ years. I'm the father of two children, one who went to CHOICE Technical Academy for 6 years, and previously served 4-5 years as a parent representative on the TAM School Board.  I have been involved in other public school functions and teams.  I have a background in accounting, finance, education and leadership.  I enjoy traveling, reading, watching movies, and being with my family.  I believe strong education and choice are the key to building better citizens of tomorrow.  To that end, I have been involved in education in some capacity for over 20 years and believe in the mission and approach of TAM.  I enjoy giving back to my community and helping as much as possible.  With some things cleared up, I have time to help again.  The vision is that we have a solid working relationship as a board with ourselves, our schools, our authorizer, the state, community, and any other stakeholders.  My vision is to make sure the affidavit and policies are followed in all situations, including future expansion and learning outcomes.  

Phone: 702-510-1519

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Mark Meier - DREAM Teacher Representative/Treasurer/Member of Finance Committee

I am currently a Title One Coordinator and Assessment Coordinator at DREAM Technical Academy.  Previously, I was a Special Education Teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada for 20 years.  I was born and raised in Minnesota for 31 years.  I moved back to Spicer, Minnesota due to the passing of my father in March of 2023.  I have one daughter who is 14 years old and she lives with her mother in Hampton, Virginia.  I have one brother and one sister who are both older than me.  I have a few other side jobs and previously had my own Ad Specialty company which I am planning to start up again in the near future. 

Phone: 507-383-3440

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Leann Houle - CHOICE Parent Representative/Recorder/Human Resource Officer/Member of Governance Committee

I am the mother of 2 teenage boys, a step-mother to 2 adult children and a grandmother to 5 beautiful grandchildren.  I have been married for 25 years.  I am currently a security officer for Securitas and I work in the Federated building in Owatonna.  Before becoming a security officer, I was the office administrator at Zion Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, MN.  

 

Phone: 507-993-2919

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Dawn Nuss, CHOICE Teacher Representative/Vice Chairperson/Member of Finance Committee

Dawn joined the CHOICE Technical Academy team as a Special Education Advisor in 2019. She has three grown children, and 7 grandchildren that she enjoys spending time with. Dawn (and the rest of us) loves her dogs, Echo and Roselyn, and they have become part of the CHOICE family. She has been a spectacular addition to our Special Education Team at CHOICE, and both the students and staff enjoy working along her side. Over the past several years, Dawn has felt privileged to be a team member that has understood, respected, encouraged, and empowered our students' young minds to pursue their dreams. Dawn has a Master’s Degree in Special Education, as well as one in Community Counseling. She is a strong believer in lifelong learning and growth. She looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of her as both a staff member and school board member at Choice Technical Academy.

Phone: 320-224-7267

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Master's Degree in Special Education Licensed in Elementary Education, & Special Education

Jill Blomker - Rotating Teacher Representative/Member of Academic Excellence Committee

My name is Jill Blomker, and I am an advisor at DREAM Technical Academy. 

I have taught for 34 years in the public school system. Though I feel strongly about standards and the accountability of teachers and our school system, I feel the strongest about relationships with kids. It is in this I feel my greatest strengths lie. It was my highest goal that kids would more clearly see their value and individual gifts because I was their teacher.

Phone: 320-263-0778

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Samantha Morin, DREAM Parent Representative

I am a mom of seven and I work at Willmar High School as a cashier.  I also work at Menards.  I love interacting with people.  I feel every child should be provided a meal at school.  I will advocate for kids at DREAM to get a meal at school.  

Phone: 320-262-1444

Email:

Degrees and Certifications:

Associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's degree in Child Development

Deanna Schiesser, Community Representative

I am a single, widowed mother of six, four of whom are still at home.  Currently, I have a very flexible availability.  This fall I will return to U of M Morris to finish my Secondary Education degree in Communications and Literature with a minor in Theatre Arts.  It should take approximately two years to finish my degree.  I currently hold two Associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's degree in Child Development.  I have been involved in a variety of church and community activities.  My church involvement includes the Women's Commission (2-year term), choir, AWANA registration desk, and parent life group.  My community involvement includes volunteering a Kandiyohi County Food Shelf and Barn Theatre, community band, 4H parent volunteer, childcare union local representative, and Head Start parent group local and regional secretary.