Fall | 2026

Dear Monmouth-Roseville families and friends,

Nearly two decades ago, Samantha Bresnahan and Travis Henry walked into the same high school for the first time, she from Monmouth and he from Roseville. Back then, Samantha remembers, “It wasn’t as tight-knit as it is now.” Today both teach here, both send their children here, and Travis can say something that once would have seemed unlikely: “You can’t tell who’s from where.”

That sentence makes me proud, and as I read the stories in this issue, I found the reason behind it on nearly every page. In Monmouth-Roseville, children are known.

Trisha Olendzki still remembers the fifth-grade teacher who helped her learn to read, and the moment she “finally realized someone somewhere knew who I was and knew my struggles.” She has spent her career at Lincoln passing that gift along. Airyell Gladfelter has set out to learn the name of every child at Harding by Christmas, and Wendy Anderson takes pride in knowing the students of our junior high by name. “I think that goes a long way,” she said.

Many of the people who know our children were once our children. Payton Bearden and Derek Chandler came home to teach math in the hallways where they learned it. Noah Tarasi coaches football in the same building where his own athletic journey began, in a place he calls “like a little family.” Jennifer Johnson and Cassie Tyler, both graduates, keep a sign in their counseling office that reads, “Everything is figureoutable.” Others found us from farther away. Jordi Mora came from Barcelona to teach, convinced that “Kids are the same everywhere,” and this community made sure a welcome was waiting for him.

Some of our best work is quiet. Noelle Vance and her students are restoring “our little part here in Roseville” of the tallgrass prairie. Chuck Grant, who insists “All I did was write an email,” helped bring an old basketball court and its memories back to life. At Lincoln, Lisa Betourne happily reports a pickup line down to six minutes and gives the credit to you: “The support we’ve had from parents truly has made a difference.”

I often say that leaders go to the balcony to see the whole system working together. From up there, the view is clear. As Katy Morrison puts it, “At the end of the day, we’ve got to do what’s best for kids.” Here, that always begins with knowing them.

Thank you for making Monmouth-Roseville one community, where every child is known.

With gratitude,

Ed Fletcher
Superintendent, Monmouth-Roseville CUSD 238