August 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Amended as of 8/14/2023 @1:50PM_Regular Board Meeting

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:

New Hire (Certificated Staff): Sara Skillman-Blom, teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, $51,414.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Christina Hollearn, teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $48,000.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year. 

New Hire (Support Staff): Erica White-Kemp, lunchground/playground, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $14.00/hr, eff., beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Jaquelin Birner, accountants payable/payroll, Business Office, $25.00/hr, eff. 7/31/2023; Gerri Jensen, special education paraprofessional, Sturgis Elementary, $17.00/hr, eff. 8/28/2023; Paula Williamson, after-school aid, Whitewood Elementary, $18.00/hr (2.5hrs/day), eff. 8/28/2023; Heather Nudd, after-school aid, Whitewood Elementary, $18.00/hr (3hrs/day), eff. 8/28/2023; Kristen Huntington, lunchroom/playground, Sturgis Elementary, $15.00/hr, eff. 8/22/2023; Walter Misemer, custodian, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $16.00/hr, eff. 8/14/2023; Tamie Fahrenholz, paraprofessional, Opal Elementary, $14.00/hr, eff. 8/22/2023.

Change in Hourly Rate (Support Staff): Kim Roberts, B-3 testing coordinator, district-wide, increase from $30.00/hr to $31.50/hr, eff. 7/1/2023.

New Hire (Extracurricular): Cami Wenk, yearbook advisor, Stagebarn Middle School, $1,192.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Renee Herringer, assistant volleyball coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,058.00, beginning of the 2023-24 school year, head boys basketball coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,381.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year, assistant track coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,058.00, beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

Contract Amendment (Extracurricular): Alexa Buckley, assistant girls basketball coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,058.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Grace Steinley, student council, Stagebarn Middle School, $1,548.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Darla Aspen, head volleyball coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,586.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Jimi Olson, assistant track coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,094.00; athletic director, Stagebarn Middle School, $5,257.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; William Carpenter, assistant boys basketball, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,454.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year; Cooper Stanforth, head cross-country coach, Stagebarn Middle School, $2,381.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

Resignation (Support Staff): Lisa Symonds, accounts payable/payroll, Business Office, eff. 7/7/2023.

Resignation (Extracurricular): Joshua Kirchner, football coach, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. 7/14/2023; Cooper Stanforth, knowledge bowl advisor, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 8/1/2023; Ward Anderson, assistant boys basketball coach, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 8/1/2023.

Background:  Community members who have volunteered to work in schools throughout the district: None have been presented.

Background:  ASBSD coordinates an Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts on the occasion a bus traveling outside of the district fails. In order to participate in the bus pact and be included in the listing, we had to submit the form to ASBSD by August 11, 2023.

Background:  Board members and school administrators/officials need to request a conflict of interest waiver before participating in or voting upon a decision concerning an application in which that member has a direct personal or financial interest.  The following conflict of interest waivers have been submitted for Board approval. Charlie Wheeler, Megan Snyder, Justin Jutting, Pete Wilson and Chad Hedderman have submitted their waivers for approval. 

Background:  Open Forum is an opportunity for patrons to share their thoughts and concerns.  The school board will listen, but no discussion takes place and there will not be board action.  Board members may ask clarifying questions. The protocol established for open forum is to provide a time limit of three minutes to share concerns.  If a patron would like to have a two-way discussion, they are encouraged to schedule a meeting with the superintendent. 

Background:  The Character Education Word of the Month for August is "Self-Discipline", which includes having patience, being disciplined, and being accountable for your choices.

Background:  The monthly financial reports for the board’s review.  Brett Burditt will answer any questions you might have regarding financials. 

Background:  The district’s agreement for SchoolMessenger is up for renewal. SchoolMessenger is the student and parent notification service for Meade School District.  The agreement is for a 36-month unlimited notification service for the district at a cost of $6,392.00. 

Background:  All board members submitted their committee preferences and Charlie Wheeler will appoint board members to the committees they will serve on for the upcoming year.  

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is requesting authorization from the Board to hire additional staff if needed, based on student enrollment increases.

Background:  Food Service Director, Rhonda Ramsdell, recommends setting the adult/non-program breakfast meal price at $2.75 in keeping with School Nutrition Program regulations which state that the non-program meal rate must be at least the amount of reimbursement for a free student meal. The reimbursement rate for breakfast is $2.75.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is recommending the Board approve a .5 FTE Culinary Arts teacher position at Sturgis Brown High School.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is recommending the Board approve the change of assignment for Mica Sulzbach-Bataille, from a 1.0 FTE custodian to a .5 custodian and .5 FTE teacher at Sturgis Brown High School, $24,000.00, eff. beginning of the 2023-24 school year.

Background:  School Board Policy AC: Nondiscrimination needs updated to reflect the current Title and 504 district representatives. The updated Policy is attached.

Background:  Superintendent Wormstadt and Business Manager, Brett Burditt recommend the Board approve to increase the amount that the district contributes per month towards health insurance for teachers (prorated per FTE,) 12 month staff, and 9/10 month staff that have been here at least 4 years from $538.00 to $560.00 starting September 2023 through June 2024.  For 9/10 month employees that have been with the district less than 5 years, it will be 85% of the new $560.00 total.  

For administrators, we will increase by $22.00 per month. As of this month’s bill, there were 258 employees on our insurance, plus all new hires that will go on.  The cost will roughly be $60,000.00 (across general fund, special education, and food service).

The district ended the year with an approximate positive net of $120,000.00 for the 2022-23 school year.  During negotiations and contract settlements, this was unknown and we did not adjust the insurance contribution by the district.  With the current financial information, this will reduce the out of pocket increase on our standard single plan from $44/month to $22/month contribution.  This past year the out of pocket cost on our standard single plan was $11/month.  This increase is a good investment into our employee health plan.

Background:  The transportation committee and Harlow's Bus Company reviewed bus route change requests on July 25, 2023. Their recommendations are recorded in the meeting minutes that are attached.

Background:  The MOU between the Meade School District and the Elk Creek Conservation District expired in 2022. The conservation district uses the building referred to as the "tree shed" located at Sturgis Brown High School for the purposes of storing and distributing trees through their conservation program. The MOU will need to be updated for the 2024-2034 calendar years.

Background:  Discussion on request to purchase land where the depository currently sits by John Rhoden.  Board needs to discuss the current agreement which requires the removal of the building which was purchased with the requirement of its removal.  We have extended the removal time per Mr. Rhoden's request.  IF the the were to pursue the option of selling the building and the land. Options below if the board choose to do a change to the agreement.

Sale or Exchange options:
1. Sale of land requires district to place property up for public offers/bids.  You cannot give school land away to a private entity/person. I believe this would require the termination of the current agreement.
2. Exchange of land (SDCL 6-5-4) with private owner is provided in the link.

 

Background:  The 2023-24 August staff in-service is Tuesday, August 22 - Thursday, August 24, 2023, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year, Mr. Wormstadt is having the first day of service be an all staff in-service. Breakfast and refreshments will be served.

Teachers are asked to check with their administrator for more information. The agenda can be found on the district website. School board members are invited to attend this year’s all staff in-service.  

Background:  This is the Second Reading of School Board Policy, Section B - Governance and Operations. The committee recommends adopting the changes to the policies listed in Section B as presented.
1.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BA: Board Operational Goals 
2.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BB: School Board Legal Status 
3.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BBA: School Board Powers and Duties
a)    Minor changes to new format and updated review date
4.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BBAA: Board Member Authority
a)    Minor changes to new format and updated review date
5.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BBC: Board Member Resignation/Removal from office 
6.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BBF: Board Member Code of Ethics
a)    Adopt ASBSD BBF to take place of Policy BBFE: School Board Member Ethics (eliminate)
7.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BCA: Annual Board Organizational 
8.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BCB: Board Officers
a)    Minor changes to new format and updated review date
9.    Second Reading of School Board Policy BCE: Use of Committee 
10.  Second Reading of School Board Policy BDA:  Electronic Communication by Board Members
11.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BDB: School Board Study Sessions and Work Retreat
a)    Minor changes to new format, does not align with new law effective July 1, 2023
12.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BDDA: Notifications of School Board Meetings
13.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BDDC:  Agenda Preparation and Dissemination
a)    Minor changes to new format and updated review date
14.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BDDE:  Parliamentary Procedure
a)    Add exhibit BDDE-E(1)
b)    Add exhibit BDDE-E(2)
15.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BFCA: Board Regulation and Handbooks
a)    Minor changes to new format, adopt ASBSD policy with changes
16.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BHAA: Board Member Education
a)    Adopt ASBSD BHAA to take place of Policy BHB: Board Member Development Opportunities (eliminate)
17.   Second Reading of School Board Policy BK: Evaluation of School Board Operational Procedures
a)    Add exhibit BK-E(1)

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  Board Training - Gavel Training
We need to set a date in September for Wade Pogony to come into the district to do training.

District Goal Setting
This will be done with the Leadership Teamm, the School Board and committees.  We will use the four areas from our previous strategic plan to set short and long-term goals. An area that can be added, but not necessary, is finance. 

Example:  District Academic goals will start with instructional council and administration to move forward to board for approval.

Background:  August 22-24 - Teacher Inservice
August 28 - First Day of School