Career K-12 Administrator to Lead BlueSky Online School

WEST ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--BlueSky Online School, Minnesota’s leading online school, has entered into a contract with Don Hainlen, Ed.D, to work as Interim School Director. Hainlen comes to BlueSky Online School with more than 36 years of experience in public education across the State of Minnesota.

“However, even though this gap has continued to make requirements and demands for documentation and evidence of our compliance a moving target, I am confident that our efforts to reach understanding and completely satisfy the MDE will succeed.”

Hainlen has served as a superintendent for the Chatfield Public Schools, Dassel-Cokato Public Schools and Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Public Schools districts. He was also a principal for the St. Louis County Schools, Morris Public Schools, and Backus Public Schools districts. He received his M.A. in music education, and his Ed.D. in education policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.

“I was drawn to BlueSky Online because of the school’s mission, and the dedication of the staff to make a positive impact on the lives and futures of young people here in Minnesota,” Hainlen said. “The challenge for the school lies in helping people understand that while there are some significant differences in online education, these differences are positive and meet a real need that sometimes goes unmet in a traditional classroom setting.”

This Fall, BlueSky Online School launched new curriculum that was developed using Aventa courses as a foundation, and then enhanced and improved by teachers developing challenging and innovative lessons that addressed any gaps and specifically addressed online student needs. This curriculum furthers the school’s mission to deliver quality education, but also meets state standards and the Minnesota Department of Education’s (MDE) notice and demands.

“The new curriculum is the most progressive and advanced technology-based coursework I have seen at the K-12 level” said Hainlen. “The curriculum and the high amount of personal contact from teachers, counselors, and social workers—as well as the rigorous testing procedures and oversight—can truly help students learn who might not otherwise receive an educational foundation that can enable their future success in life.”

Also in response to the recent audit and findings by the MDE, BlueSky School has provided hundreds of pages of information and documentation on the school’s course work and student academic information. The school recently met with MDE representatives and discussed the differences in online education, and walked them through many aspects of an online course.

“Unfortunately, it has been a significant challenge for us to reach an understanding with MDE on how our courses and curriculum meet state standards when so much of what the MDE is requesting of us is based on the brick and mortar educational approach,” Hainlen said. “However, even though this gap has continued to make requirements and demands for documentation and evidence of our compliance a moving target, I am confident that our efforts to reach understanding and completely satisfy the MDE will succeed.”

Based on the amount of information BlueSky has provided MDE over the past six months, and MDE’s statement that it will require some additional time to review the most recent submissions, BlueSky Online School is confident that MDE will complete its review of the significant documentation submitted to them before any further action is taken. BlueSky is also confident that once a thorough review is conducted by MDE, it will become clear that BlueSky is in total compliance with state requirements.

Blue Sky Online School is a leading online public charter school that offers an alternative learning option for a wide range of students throughout Minnesota. BlueSky’s unique personal approach to online learning is unmatched by other schools. The three-person teams of caring professionals offer students the support and one-on-one attention they need to succeed. Contact the school at 651-642-0888, or visit the school’s Web site at www.blueskyonline.org.