A LEGISLATIVE COMMEMORATION, Honoring Dr. Carol Pistulka, superintendent of the McCook Central School District, on her retirement after dedicated service to the youth and families of the McCook Central School District.

    WHEREAS, Dr. Pistulka graduated from Parker High School in 1961 and Mount Marty College in 1990 with a BA in elementary education. She earned her Master's in special education from the University of South Dakota in 1991 and then an Education Specialist degree in educational administration. In 2004, she earned a Doctorate of Education from USD; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Pistulka started with the McCook Central School District in 1991 at Spencer. She moved to the district's Salem site and later accepted the Elementary Principal position in 1995. She became Superintendent of McCook Central School District in 2006; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Pistulka's many accomplishments include reducing classroom size by implementing multiage classrooms, service on the McCook County Child Protection Team, and implementing preschool and junior kindergarten programs for early identification and intervention for children with disabilities. Dr. Pistulka has been involved with the maintenance and renovation of numerous school facilities and was instrumental in starting a breakfast program and an after-school program which she personally supervised; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Pistulka, with the generous support of her husband, Duane, and children, Craig, Damon, Brian, and Tina, has blessed the McCook community with her tireless public service and personal generosity these many years; and

    WHEREAS, Dr. Pistulka has been a great mentor, superintendent, principal, teacher, and friend to those she worked with, and the students in her charge:

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT COMMEMORATED, by the Eighty-seventh Legislature of the State of South Dakota, that the Legislature thanks and honors Dr. Carol Pistulka for her outstanding lifetime commitment to public education and wishes her well in her retirement.