Dear Highmore-Harrold School District Families and Community Members,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2025–2026 school year! I am honored to serve as the new superintendent of the Highmore-Harrold School District and to partner with our students, families, staff, school board, and community members in this important work.

I was raised on a farm near Britton, South Dakota, and earned degrees from Minnesota State University–Moorhead, The College of New Jersey, and Walden University. This year marks my first as superintendent in Highmore-Harrold and my 34th year in education. Throughout my career, I have served as a general and special education teacher, grade-level coordinator, principal, and superintendent. I’ve had the privilege of working in schools in South Dakota, as well as in California, Oregon, Arizona, and internationally in Saudi Arabia, Thailand, China, and South Korea.

At Highmore-Harrold, we are guided by a meaningful educational philosophy:

“We believe that learning is a continuous, lifelong endeavor that prepares students to accept responsibility for themselves, their families, their communities, and their countries, and thus become positive, contributing members of our changing global society.”

Rooted in this philosophy, our mission is to meet each student where they are—honoring their unique strengths, interests, and backgrounds—while empowering them to reach their full potential. With your continued support, we are committed to fostering a lifelong love of learning and preparing our students to thrive in whatever path they choose.

To keep you informed and engaged, we encourage you to regularly visit our district website for updates, news, and announcements. We will also share information through student planners, phone calls, emails, School Messenger, Facebook, KLXS-FM, the Highmore Herald, community postings, and the Parent Portal.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks as I get to know the school and community. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at Lynn.Lawson@k12.sd.us or by phone at (605) 852-2275, extension 104.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the success and well-being of our students. Here's to a fantastic school year ahead!

Warm regards,
Lynn Lawson, Ed.D.
Superintendent / Special Education Director
Highmore-Harrold School District