Four former school board members were honored for their decade’s worth of service to their local school district.

 

Former Wilmot School Board Member Denise Lutkemeier received ASBSD’s Longevity Award, which recognizes school board leaders who have served 20 or more years on a local school board.

 

Lutkemeier served 21 years on the Wilmot School Board. In addition, she served more than 10 years on ASBSD’s Board of Directors, including two terms as President of the Association, as well as a term on the Nation School Board Association’s Policies and Resolutions committee.

 

 

“Denise’s more than 20 years of dedication to serving public education, both locally and statewide, is quite simply, amazing,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said.

 

“The decades of service she provided to the students, staff and community of Wilmot are what board members across the state should strive to replicate. We’re honored to have the opportunity to celebrate her commitment to public education.”

 

Former Mitchell School Board Member Neil Putnam collected the award for his 21 years of public service.

 

 

Putnam also spent nearly a decade on the ASBSD Board of Directors, including one term as President of the Association. In addition, he served on the National School Board Association Board of Directors as a Western Region Director for more than five years.

 

“Neil was an exemplary leader in and advocate for public education,” Pogany said. “For 20 years he worked tirelessly to ensure the students in Mitchell, South Dakota and across the nation received a high quality public education.”

 

Former Smee School Board Member Pat Hawk earned the award for his 23 years on the school board.

 

 

“Public service takes dedication and determination and Pat’s 23 years on the school board is exemplary,” Pogany said. “His commitment to the students, staff and community in the Smee School District is phenomenal and we’re so happy to have had the chance to recognize him.”

 

Former Andes Central School Board Member Terry Svatos was presented the award for serving 21 years on the on his local board.

 

 

“Terry’s more than two decades of service on the school board is an exemplary display of his dedication and determination to serving his school and community,” Pogany said. “We’re pleased to have had the chance to recognize him for his commitment to the students, staff and community in his school district.”