County Schools Back In Session
By Jessica Wald
The local schools have been in session for just over a week, as the Gackle-Streeter School District began the 2026-2027 school year on Monday, August 17, while Napoleon School District started their year August 18.
Both schools have a slight decrease in student enrollment, with G-S down three for a total of 96 in K-12 and Napoleon with a decrease of 10, totaling 240. (A breakout of enrollment charts are also featured in this issue, along with a 10 year record). Both schools also added a couple new teachers to the mix.
G-S’s new first grade teacher, Ava Baasch graduated from Lisbon High School in 2024 and will graduate from Valley City State University this December with a degree in Elementary Education and endorsements in Reading and Kindergarten.
“I have always wanted to be an elementary teacher,” noted Ava, who also said she is grateful for the opportunity to begin her career at Gackle-Streeter. “I look forward to working with the students, administration, staff, parents, and community throughout the school year!”
In addition to beginning her teaching career, Ava proudly serves as a Horizontal Construction Engineer in the North Dakota Army National Guard.
In her free time, Ava enjoys reading, traveling, going to the lake, listening to music, and cheering on her sisters, Ellie and Mady, at their activities. She is also passionate about photography and has spent the past several years photographing the Lisbon Girls Wrestling team and Valley City State University athletic events.
The new G-S K-12 Interventionist is Lori Strom, who is in her 37th year in education.
Strom grew up on a dairy farm along the. . .