Superintendent's Corner - August 2026
Posted July 30, 2026
Welcome Back to Tiger Nation!
It is hard to believe that another school year is just around the corner! I hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy the summer, spend time with family and friends, and make a few memories along the way. August is always an exciting month as we prepare to welcome students back into our buildings for another great year.
Registration for all students will be held August 3-9, and I encourage families to complete registration as early as possible. We will also be hosting our Open Houses on August 20, giving students and families an opportunity to meet teachers, see classrooms, and get ready for the first day of school. The first day of school is Monday, August 24, and it will be a full, normal school day.
This year is a very special one for all of us. We are celebrating the 20th Anniversary of South Hardin. South Hardin officially became the entity that united our districts in the fall of 2006 when our students first came together as Tigers when we began sharing athletic programs. Over the past 20 years, South Hardin has grown into something our communities can truly be proud of. We have built traditions, celebrated championships, developed outstanding academic programs, and most importantly, provided opportunities for generations of students.
To help celebrate this milestone, we are making a few changes to Homecoming 2026. This year, the Homecoming Parade and Coronation will be held on Wednesday evening, September 23. Our hope is that moving these events to Wednesday evening will allow more families from all of our communities to attend and celebrate together. We want this to be a true Tiger Nation celebration with tremendous participation in the parade, community involvement throughout the week, and plenty of school spirit. Let's fill our streets with red and black and show everyone what Tiger Nation is all about!
As the rural landscape continues to change and school districts across Iowa face increasing challenges, I believe it is more important than ever that we rally around Tiger Nation. Our goal is simple—to provide outstanding opportunities for every student while keeping our students learning and growing in our four outstanding school buildings. Together, we can continue building a district that families are proud to call home.
As I begin my second year as your Superintendent, I have one personal request. If you see me at a game, concert, community event, or in one of our schools, please stop and introduce yourself. Running two districts means there are a lot of names and faces to learn, but after my first year I finally have my footing, and I am excited to get to know even more of the people who make our communities so special.
I truly believe we have exceptional staff, outstanding students, supportive parents, and communities that care deeply about their schools. Those are the ingredients that make great school districts, and I couldn't be more excited about the future of South Hardin.
If you know a family considering a move or exploring school options, invite them to come visit us. Come be a part of Tiger Nation—and bring your friends!
Thank you for your continued support of our schools. I am looking forward to another outstanding year together.
Have a wonderful August, and we'll see you soon!
Go Tigers!
Chris Fenster