Roland-Story Community School District -

Our district’s story is anchored in a strong tradition, and we are planning for the future. Community members are invited to join a series of conversations about district facilities planning and help shape what comes next!

Conversation sessions will be held at 6:00pm on the following dates:

➡️ Thursday, June 11, in the Middle School Library

➡️ Sunday, June 14, in the High School Library

➡️ Thursday, June 25, in the Middle School Library

➡️ Sunday, June 28, in the High School Library

We value your input and hope you will join us for one of these important discussions!

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Join us in celebrating the retirement of Carol Teig, high school associate, and thanking her for the many years of care and service she has given to Roland-Story students and staff! 🎉

A proud member of the Roland-Story High School Class of 1979, Carol continued her education at DMACC and completed the dental assistant program in 1980. She began her educational career at Roland-Story Elementary before spending the past 15 years at the high school.

Throughout her time at Roland-Story, Carol has built meaningful relationships with students and colleagues alike. She shared that the students and people she worked alongside each day made her career especially rewarding, and those connections are what she will miss most in retirement.

Outside of school, Carol enjoys gardening, sewing, house projects, reading, and spending time with family and friends. 

We are grateful for Carol’s positive impact on the Roland-Story community and wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement! ❤️

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The Roland-Story Community School District is beginning a long-range facilities planning process.

As we continue caring for aging facilities, planning responsibly for the future, and evaluating the evolving needs of our students, staff, and community, district leadership is committed to communicating openly and transparently throughout the process.

To read the full memo and learn more, visit https://bit.ly/rslongrangeplanning.

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We are proud to recognize Cheryl Larson, high school learning coach, as she prepares to retire after nearly three decades in education! 🍎

Cheryl graduated from South Tama County High School in 1987 before earning her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1991. She later continued her professional learning by completing a Master of Education degree with an instructional coaching certificate from Viterbo University in 2022. 

After beginning her career with a semester in Ogden, Cheryl joined Roland-Story, a decision she says shaped the rest of her journey in education.

Throughout her career, Cheryl has found great joy in collaborating with fellow educators to create meaningful learning experiences for students. Some of her favorite moments came from working alongside teachers to develop lessons and activities, then watching students engage, learn, and grow through those shared efforts.

Cheryl’s leadership and support of both staff and students have left a lasting mark on our district. Her commitment to teamwork and student success has been appreciated by colleagues, families, and learners alike.

Outside of school, Cheryl enjoys cooking, quilting and sewing, gardening, and spending time with family. 

We are so grateful for Cheryl’s years of service and her positive influence. Join us in wishing her many happy and fulfilling years in retirement! 🎉

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Roland-Story is proud to celebrate the retirement of Rhonda Johnson and recognize her remarkable 33-year career in education, including 30 years of service to R-S! ❤️

Rhonda earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from Iowa State University in 1993 before completing her master’s in Special Education in 1996. She began her teaching career at Prairie Valley Community School District and joined Roland-Story in 1996, where she has spent the past three decades supporting and inspiring students, families, and colleagues.

Throughout her career, Rhonda has been known for her compassion, patience, and unwavering support of her students. The relationships she has built have made a lasting impact across the district community.

Outside of school, Rhonda enjoys reading, quilting, traveling, and spending time with family.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Rhonda for her years of service and care for students. Let’s wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement! 🎉

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We are proud to recognize Tammy Dickinson-Ferrell, high school language arts teacher, as she prepares to retire after 33 years in education—all of them dedicated to Roland-Story students and families! 🍎

A proud graduate of Roland-Story High School’s Class of 1983, Tammy continued her education at Cottey College before graduating in 1985 and later earning her degree from Iowa State University in 1988. After completing her studies, she returned to the district that helped shape her, beginning a career defined by care, commitment, and service to her community.

Tammy’s passion for education was inspired by the many outstanding teachers who influenced her during her years as a Roland-Story student. 

Throughout her career, Tammy has built strong connections with students, families, and colleagues while supporting the school community with kindness and dedication. Her lifelong relationship with Roland-Story—first as a student, then as an educator, and later as a proud parent—makes this milestone especially meaningful.

Outside of school, Tammy enjoys reading, watching movies, spending time with her critters, and making memories with her family.

Roland-Story appreciates Tammy’s years of service and the positive impact she has made on generations of students and families. We wish her many happy and relaxing years in retirement! 🎉

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Roland-Story Schools celebrates the retirement of Kevin Masemann, high school band director, and his many years dedicated to education, coaching, and supporting students. 👏

Kevin graduated from New Hampton High School in 1975 before earning his degree from Augustana University in 1979. He began his career at Flandreau Public High School in South Dakota, where he taught and coached for three years, followed by 16 years at Greenfield High School in Iowa. Kevin then spent the final 27 years of his career at Roland-Story, making a lasting difference in the lives of generations of students and athletes.

Throughout his career, Kevin became known for his commitment to character, leadership, and excellence both in the classroom and through athletics. One of his proudest accomplishments was being named the Character Counts Coach of the Year in 2021, an honor that reflected the values he consistently modeled for his students and teams.

Outside of school, Kevin enjoys attending sporting events—especially cheering on Iowa State and the Minnesota Twins—along with farming, gardening, golfing, and traveling.

We are incredibly grateful for Kevin’s years of leadership and positive influence on so many students and families. We wish him all the best in retirement! 🎉

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Today, we recognize retiree Phil Skamser, 4th grade teacher, and the incredible impact he has made throughout 35 years in education! 🍎

Phil earned his degree from Buena Vista University in 1987 and began a career that would influence countless students and colleagues. He spent 10 years at Hinton Community School District and 15 years at Storm Lake St. Mary’s before finding his home at Roland-Story, where he knew he wanted to finish his career.

Phil’s journey into education was inspired by the teachers and coaches who shaped his life, along with family friends who were educators themselves. After moving to central Iowa, he substituted in 17 different schools before discovering something special about the elementary school in Story City. Through the people he met there, he knew he had found where he belonged.

Outside of school, Phil enjoys traveling with his wife, running and working out, reading, filling out brackets, and attending baseball games, something he would remind everyone deserves to be mentioned twice. He is also incredibly proud of his children.

Our district is grateful for Phil’s decades of dedication, humor, and passion. His influence will continue to be felt for years to come, and we wish him all the best in his retirement! 🎉

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We are proud to celebrate the retirement of Jill Nerem and the incredible impact she has made on Roland-Story students, staff, and families throughout her career! 🍎

Jill earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in 1992 and later completed her master’s at Drake University in 1998. She began her journey in education as a substitute teacher for Roland-Story and surrounding schools before becoming a 3rd grade teacher, where she has inspired and supported countless students over the years.

One of the most meaningful parts of Jill’s career has been the lifelong friendships she has formed with colleagues and students, relationships she says have become like family.

Outside of school, Jill enjoys baking, spending time with family and friends, and visiting Okoboji to enjoy life by the lake. She especially treasures time with her husband and their son.

We are deeply grateful for Jill’s years of dedication to our school community. Let’s wish her all the best in her well-deserved retirement! 🎉

#SailNorse

Join us in celebrating the retirement of Kate Hartzler and recognizing her many years of leadership, service, and dedication! 🎉

Kate began her journey in education after graduating from New Hampton High School in 1988. She earned an elementary education degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1993 and later completed a master’s degree in administration in 1997.

Her career started at Manson Northwest Webster, where she taught 6th and 7th grade English language arts, coached middle school basketball and volleyball, and served as head volleyball coach. Kate later became a middle school principal at MFL MarMac before joining Roland-Story in 2002 as elementary principal, where she has made a lasting impact for more than 20 years.

Inspired by her own positive educational experiences and the example set by her sisters in education, Kate felt called to serve others through teaching and leadership. Encouragement from a principal early in her career helped guide her toward administration, shaping the path she would follow for decades to come.

Outside of school, Kate enjoys camping, biking, listening to audiobooks, taking walks, and spending time with family.

Roland-Story is grateful for Kate’s years of leadership and the positive influence she has had on countless students, staff members, and families. Please join us in wishing her all the best in her well-deserved retirement!  ❤️

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Please join us in celebrating the retirement of Kim Hetland, a member of the high school food services team, and honoring her many years of service to Roland-Story Schools! 🎉

A proud Roland-Story High School graduate from the Class of 1981, Kim has dedicated her career to supporting the success of our district, students, and staff. Over the past 25 years, she has built lasting relationships and valued the opportunity to work with so many people throughout the school community.

Outside of school, Kim enjoys camping, boating, 4-wheeling, SXS riding, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband cherish time with their children and their grandson.

We are grateful for Kim’s commitment to Roland-Story Schools and the positive impact she has made over the years. Please help us wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement! ❤️

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