Past board chair Tom Heidemann honored with inaugural Distinguished Service Recognition

Past board chair Tom Heidemann honored with inaugural Distinguished Service Recognition | University Avenue Elementary School - Aerospace, Children's Engineering and Science logo University Avenue Elementary School

By Press releases submission

Dec 25, 2022

At its meeting Monday, Dec. 12, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board introduced a recognition program for board members who have demonstrated dedicated service to the schools and community they serve. Tom Heidemann, who served as a board member from 2000 to 2019, was awarded the inaugural School Board Distinguished Service Award.

Board chair Marci Anderson led a recognition program that included supportive comments from Deb Day, Anoka-Hennepin teacher and community volunteer; Michael Farley, Anoka High School principal; Dr. Roger Giroux, former superintendent; and Jinger Gustafson, former associate superintendent and principal.

“This district has a rich history in celebrating student successes, of course - and we also celebrate and honor teachers, administration and staff years of service, top performers and many other impressive accomplishments,” Anderson explained. “In the past, we have named rooms and vestibules after departing or lost board members, and we started to consider recognition in a different way. We thought about how we could honor those [board members] who have contributed significantly, but also memorialize these accomplishments.”

The school board developed the recognition with specific criteria: A sitting board member may make a nomination of another board member who has served two or more terms and demonstrated contributions to their represented schools, content area and noteworthy policy or significant initiatives. The nomination would be brought to a designated committee and approved for recognition.

Past superintendent (1995-2008) Giroux reflected on his time in the district and shared his perspective. “I thank the board for doing this award for a very important community reason; our collective memory gets lost with age, and that collective memory is critical to the heart and health of the organization. This is one of the ways that you anchor those memories and important historical moments – and I thank you for that.”

Heidemann served as board chair from 2009 to 2019, vice-chair from 2006 to 2008 and clerk from 2004 to 2005 during his 20 years of service. In addition to his years of service on the School Board, Heidemann’s work off the board as PTO president at Wilson Elementary, various school booster clubs, the Anoka-Hennepin Parent Legislative Team, the Anoka-Hennepin Education Foundation, the Governor’s education funding reform task force and the Association of Metropolitan School Districts (AMSD) board of directors was noted. A recognition plaque was presented in his honor, which will be on display in the boardroom area at the Sandburg Educational Center.

A plaque highlighting his service will be on display at the Sandberg Education Center, located at 1902 Second Ave. in Anoka:

School Board Chair (2009 to 2019), Vice Chair (2006 to 2008), Clerk (2004 to 2005), Member representing District 1 (2000 to 2019).
Provided steady leadership as student enrollment declines led to building repurposing in 2012.
A founder of the district systems of continuous improvement and public accountability that work to build understanding and support for School Board actions.
Under his leadership, voters approved the largest bond question in district history with the Fit for the Future Referendum (2017).
Integral to the renovation and preservation of Sandburg as well as the innovative creation of the 6th grade campus at Washington.
Dedicated to support co-curricular athletics and activities programs for all students as an essential component of their educational journey.
Strong support of Anoka High School academics, arts, and athletics.
School and community volunteer who worked tirelessly to advocate for the betterment of the school district and the community he served.

“I think back on the 20 years of service on the School Board and my time as a parent volunteer, and it was very rewarding - because there was a purpose there to contribute to a school district for the benefit of our kids,” Heidemann said. “I’m truly honored and blown away by the plaque and the kind words that my colleagues said tonight. It is truly very rewarding to be part of that, and thank you for that opportunity to serve.”