From the President's Desk
Totino-Grace High School is a comprehensive, college preparatory school, focused on helping our students develop a love of learning, an appreciation for creativity and innovation, and the pursuit of knowledge. However, as a Catholic school, our efforts go significantly beyond academic achievement. Totino-Grace believes today’s students need three things more than anything else: first, students need to feel loved -- by their parents, families, teachers, friends, and God; second, they need to know that they have something important to contribute to the world; and third, students to be on the lookout for the purpose God has for them.
What does Totino-Grace do differently than other schools?
- The best schools have teachers and staff members who take students seriously. Totino-Grace faculty and staff members are exceptional educators who challenge, support, and love each student.
- The best schools have a climate of expectation for every student. This isn’t just a platitude.TG’s class sizes are smaller than every high school around us. Our small class sizes enable us to really know our students, providing a personalized approach to education that challenges and supports students to achieve their full potential.
- The best schools encourage students to envision lofty goals and go for them. At TG, we have a strong focus on community and service. We provide opportunities in the classroom and beyond for students to discover their gifts, put them to use, and contribute to others’ success. Life is much richer and so much more satisfying when we give of ourselves and share our blessings.
- The best schools challenge students to stretch themselves. Playing it safe is easy. At TG, we want our students to challenge their comfort levels while learning the value of hard work, grit, and humility. If they come up short in an endeavor, we are here to help pick them up. We understand failure is a moment, not a lifestyle.
- The best schools provide a powerful vision for 21st century education that ensures every student is prepared for a global and highly competitive economy. At TG, we infuse our teaching and learning environment with 21st century skills so our students graduate not only academically prepared for the next step in their education but also as young people of hope, courage, and grit; people who have the drive to collaborate, problem solve, communicate, and think creatively.
Ultimately, though, the best schools help students to be Christ-like. TG faculty and staff serve as models of faith in action, providing inspiration and opportunities for students to grow in their own faith and take the Gospel message beyond our campus and into the world.
The Lasallian expression “Together and by Association” describes a promise to make a difference in young people’s lives through relationships and education, and that is what generations of faculty, staff, alumni, parents, students, and friends have accomplished. Our students are part of a school community that helps students foster a quest to attain their personal best.
Welcome to Totino-Grace.
Craig W. Junker, Ed.D.
Administrative Team
Dr. Craig W. Junker
President
Mr. Matthew Deboer
Dean of Students
Mrs. Cheri Broadhead
Principal
Mr. Andrew Blake
Director of Mission and Ministry
Mr. Dan Vandermyde
Assistant Principal
Totino-Grace High School Board of Directors
The Totino-Grace Board of Directors is responsible for the general management of Totino-Grace High School. The Board has an overriding objective of ensuring that the school’s Mission and Vision Statements are incorporated in all aspects of the management of the school. The Board has formed sub-committees to assist in meeting its objectives, including but not limited to the Executive, Finance, Marketing, Advancement, Mission, and Building & Grounds. Some of the duties of the Board include review and approval of the annual budget, the annual financial audit and quarterly financial reports, tuition charges and compensation levels. The members of the Board of Directors have a wide array of skills and backgrounds that are instrumental in guiding the school’s administrative team to ensure fiscally sound general management and attention to the mission of the school.
Board Membership and Responsibilities
- Responsibilities of the Totino-Grace Board of Directors
- Board Co-Chairpersons
- Board Voting Directors
- Board Associates and Advisors
Responsibilities of the Totino-Grace Board of Directors
According to the bylaws, the Board of Directors is entrusted with the general management of the Corporation, and is authorized to exercise all powers of the Corporation.
The Board has the power to delegate administrative authority for the operation of the school to a duly qualified President of the school.
The Board of Directors shall reserve the following powers:
- Hire and evaluate the President of Totino-Grace High School.
- Approve the annual budget and set tuition.
- Approve any loans by the Corporation for any purpose.
- Approve the expenditure of any single financial obligation in excess of $50,000 beyond the approved budget.
- Approve the disposal of any property in excess of $50,000.
- Negotiate and approve compensation levels.
All actions of the Totino-Grace High School Board of Directors shall be shall be subject to the rules and regulations established by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Board Co-Chairpersons
As Board of Directors Co-Chairs, we can say with conviction that the Lasallian Mission is alive at Totino-Grace High School. The educational principles St. John Baptist de La Salle developed over 300 years ago are still prevalent and actively practiced at Totino-Grace today. These Lasallian ideals include the importance of providing educational opportunities to all young people, developing a strong faith life, creating a nurturing community and being of service to those in need. Moreover, we are mindful of our history with the School Sisters of Notre Dame and that "teaching extends beyond the classroom and into the lives of the people we serve" and that "as Jesus Christ was sent to show the Father's love to the world, we are sent to make Christ visible by our very being, by sharing our love, faith, and hope." As members of the Board of Directors, we rely upon these principles to guide our efforts regarding the general management of the school. The entire Board of Directors exhibits a sense of personal accountability for advancing the Lasallian Mission. When someone walks through the doors of Totino-Grace High School, whether they are a student, parent, alumnus/a, member of the community, board director, teacher or staff member, they find their experience to be one they will not forget.
Co-Chairpersons:
Tara Melshatara.melsha@totinograce.org
Rick Sitarzrick.sitarz@totinograce.org
Board Voting Directors
Sr. Kathleen Bauer, SSND '74
Religious Order Representative
Tom Dybsky
At-Large Representative
Gretchen Foht
Parent Representative
Michael Hamerlind '91
At-Large Representative
Al Hofstede '99, Secretary
Alumni Representative
Laura Jaeger '87, Vice Chairperson
At-Large Representative
Kelly Matter
Parent Representative
Tara Melsha '89, Co-Chairperson
Parent Representative
Charlie Miller '13
At-Large Representative
Jean Nickman, Treasurer
Parent Representative
Fr. James Peterson
Archdiocesan Representative
Br. Larry Schatz, FSC
Religious Order Representative
Rick Sitarz '83, Co-Chairperson
At-Large Representative
Diane Tigner
At-Large Representative
Annemarie Vega '01
Alumni Representative
Jamie Woell
At-Large Representative
Dorwatha Woods
At-Large Representative
Tom Young '95
At-Large Representative
Fr. Andrew Zipp
Priest Representative
Board Associates and Advisors
Associates:
Cheri Broadhead
Principal
Dr. Craig Junker
President
Matt Ksepka
Chief Financial Officer
JoAnn Brenk
Recording Secretary
Tony Mullen
VP for Advancement
Brent Rehfuss
Faculty Representative
Advisors:
Andrew Blake '99
Dean of Students
Director of Campus Ministry
Dan Vandermyde
Assistant Principal
Strategic Planning
Totino-Grace has a long history and a strong commitment to comprehensive strategic planning that dates back over 30 years. Our planning has always been grounded in the school’s mission as a Catholic Lasallian high school. Past plans have resulted in major program initiatives and new facilities. For example, our students are now moving about in the new Inspiring Performance space, enjoying a new fitness center, new art and music rooms, a new multi-purpose/wrestling room and a newly renovated auditorium. This project is a direct result of our last round of planning.
The strategic plan is important to our ongoing strength and viability. It provides both a compass and a blueprint so that we are able to make informed projections to respond, anticipate, and proactively plan for changes and challenges ahead. Our process is mission-centered and grounded in our Catholic and Lasallian identity. It is inclusive, representing the various interests of students, parents, alumni, staff, and the larger community. It is systematic and comprehensive, touching all areas of the school’s programs and operations.
Learn more and see TG's 2020-2025 Foundational Pillars HERE.
