E32-Osakis HS Profile "The Power of One" (NewTech High)

NewTech High Podcast
April 22, 2026

Today, we were joined by Justin Dahlheimer, Superintendent and Brad Hoffarth, HS Principal at Osakis. Ironically, this is my alma mater. Neither Justin or Brad were around during that time. Ha.Osakis has a great little District nestled between bigger districts. They have been a big open enrollment winner. In the podcast, you will hear about their "Power of One" initiative, as well as some of those conditions that have helped them be a consistent open enrollment winner over the last twenty years. 

Hoffarth has had a long-tenure in the District (34 years) doing multiple jobs (teacher, coach, Athletic Director and coach. Dahlheimer is an OHS Graduate and has connections to the District that are similar to a generational family farm. His Grandfather and Great Grandmother were actually long-term school board members in the District. This is a unique example of a District that we really haven't seen before. How do you innovate when your relationships are well-fixed before you get into a leadership role? Both of these individuals have had to navigate those aspects. 


Having been from Osakis, I mentioned that from 1943 to 1999, Osakis had only two Superintendents (Clarence Omacht and LeRoy MacKove). Mackove was definitely considered to be innovative. As for Clarence, I just remember him calling me "Little Walsh" in the hallway. Okay, moving on....Since then, they have had six different transitions in that position. Yet, they have maintained a supportive student culture because of many of those consistencies that were created by strong leadership by Mackove, and later John Peterka. Dahlheimer talks about this. In a sense, people can trace the District's ability to stay strong in transition because of some powerful and sustainable elements that have been present with a great staff for years. They just passed a $20M building bond project in a February vote that will increase their CTE focus, as well as to modernize many of their systems. 

There were a couple of unique areas that we explore in this podcast. Dahlheimer's experience as a Bank President before getting into the school system and Hoffarth's elementary background leading into a high school principal position. Finally, both of these guys have long-term tenures as coaches, so that relationship is talked about as well. One of the major tenets of NewTech High philosophy is moving from a teacher-student relationship to a coach-student relationship.

We didn't get time to get too far into some of their changes for FY27, but they include the elimination of rotation classes in 9th and 10th Grade and restructuring other subjects such as Physical Education to elevate student choice. Both talk of the incredible commitments staff have made, including the "Power of One" initiative. 

Take a moment of your time to learn about Osakis HS. [NOTE: One of our other schools, Brandon-Evansville, has their Superintendent, Louisa Glenetske, moving into Dahlheimer's position for next year. She was featured in the NewTech High podcast on March 25. Dahlheimer is moving to an administrative position in Alexandria for 2026-2027.]

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