November 13, 2023 at 5:30 PM - AMENDED_Regular Board Meeting (Executive Session to follow)

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

New Staff (Support Staff): Miranda Grosz, special education paraprofessional, Stagebarn Middle School, $16.00/hr, eff. 11/13/2023.

Resignation (Certificated): Tere Froelich, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2023-24 school year; Wanda Russell, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of the 2023-24 school year; Chris West, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, liquidated damages in the amount of $4,000.00, eff. 11/3, 2023.

Resignation (Support Staff): Tayah Bertolotto, special education paraprofessional, Sturgis Elementary, eff. 10/19/2023; Michael Noel, special education paraprofessional, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff. 11/1/2023; Isabella Barff, special education paraprofessional, Sturgis Williams Middle School, eff. 11/7/2023.

Background:  Community members who have volunteered to work in schools throughout the district: Kelly Blachford, Piedmont Valley Elementary.

Background:  Extra-curricular coaches and volunteer coaches will be updated monthly. Any changes will be highlighted in yellow.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board to declare the following item surplus and to be liquidated at the discretion of the business manager.

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.  

Background:  Assistant Special Education Director, Melissa Pankratz has submitted a conflict of interest waiver for the Board's 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:  November Character Trait of the Month is "citizenship," which includes loyalty, patriotism, leadership, public spirit, volunteerism, and respect for authority.

Background:  Congratulations to Honor Choir singers Allyson Tish (11) and Charlie Knutson (9). They will be participating in the ACDA Midwestern Honor Choir that will be held in Omaha, NE on February 8-10, 2024.  

Background:  Congratulations to the SBHS Journalism student for receiving the 2023 Journalism Sweepstakes Award (the top award offered) at the State Journalism Convention in Vermillion on October 16.

Background:  Whitewood Elementary received an overall score of 91 out of 100 on its school report card through the South Dakota Department of Education. This is the highest score for a West River elementary school and was the third highest score in the state.

Background:  The SBHS Boys Cross Country Team finished 2nd at the SD State Cross Country Championships in Sioux Falls on October 21st, 2023. It is the highest place for a Sturgis Boys Cross Country team in Sturgis Brown history. Team members include: Ty Petrocco, Quinn Bruch, Ty Ferguson, Morgan Papenfuss, Taylor Colunga, Cash Daigle, and Kale Fenner. The boys are coached by Blake Proefrock and Scott Peterson. 

Background:  Congratulations to Central Meade Co. School student, Shanni Cammack (8th grade) won 1st place for the rural schools in the Lions International Peace Poster contest.

Background:  Aspen Grove Activities Director, Marsha Moore, will provide a brief presentation of events that take place at the facility.

Background:  Curriculum/Technology Director, Beth Johnson will present the district assessment information for the district.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will present the 5-year capital outlay and facilities plan for FY25.

Background:  SBHS principal, Mr. Wilson will answer any questions from the Board and give an overview of the parent and student meetings that were held on the proposed trimester schedule change.

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

Background:  Sturgis Elementary principal, Chantal Ligtenburg, is requesting the Board approve a part-time Title I paraprofessional position to assist with the junior kindergarten class. This position will allow staff to provide the necessary support that the students in this current class require.  

Background:  The early resignation agreement was brought to the Board for review at the October board meeting. Attached is the final agreement per 5.12 in the MEA Negotiated Agreement for the Board's approval. 

The purpose is to receive resignations early for the district to plan staffing needs and recruitment of high quality staff or manage any staffing or program changes needed for the 2024-25 school year in January and February.

If it is successful in planning and recruitment of teachers, we will review to see if this would be beneficial in other employment areas.

Background:  The legislative dinner and round table is scheduled for Monday, December 11th. The start time of the board meeting will need to be amended from 5:30 pm to 6:00 pm to accommodate the Legislative Round Table.  This serves as public notice that the Board will meet with no action items during the Legislative Round Table.

The December Legislative Round Table Schedule:

• 4:00 pm Round Table discussion
• 5:00 pm Meal Round Table continues
• 6:00 pm Board Meeting

Background:  A special board meeting will need to be scheduled for Thursday, November 16, 2023, starting from 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm. School Board members and Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt will be meeting to discuss Board goals and Board qualities. This work session is intended for open dialogue, brainstorming, and planning with no formal actions to be taken.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board approve the updated MOU with Central Meade County Community Center as presented in the attachment.

Background:  This is the Third and Final Reading of School Board Policy IGDK: Participation of Alternative Instruction Students. The committee recommends adopting the changes to the policy to reflect ASBSD law changes and the new format.

High School Administration has asked to add the bottom paragraph for clarity of annual expectations for eligibility.

Background:  This is the Third and Final Reading of School Board Policy BD: School Board Meetings. The committee recommends adopting the changes to the policy to reflect ASBSD law changes and the new format.

Background:  American Education Week (November 13-17, 2023) is observed in all communities annually for informing the public of the accomplishments and needs of the public schools and to secure cooperation and support of the public in meeting those needs. 

Background:  The Business Office and Buildings and Grounds Department are requesting the Board approve the custodial services agreement with Cleanrite for cleaning services at the SBHS Academy and Ag Building.

Background:  The Policy Committee and Administration team are currently reviewing School Board Policy JFCD:Bullying to align with ASBSD recommendations.

• JFCD-E(1): Bullying - Complaint Form
• JFCD-E(2): Bullying - Complaint Appeal to the Superintendent
• JFCD-E(3): Bullying - Complaint Appeal to the School Board

Background:  The Policy Committee and Administration team are currently reviewing School Board Policy KL: Complaint Against School Employee to align with ASBSD recommendations.

• KL-E(1): Complaint Against School Employee - Report Form
• KL-E(2): Compaint Against School Employee - Appeal to the Superintendent
• KL-E(3): Complaint Against School Employee - Appeal to the School Board

Background:  The Policy Committee and Administration team are currently reviewing School Board Policy JOB: Student Surveys to align with ASBSD recommendations. If adopted this will be a new policy.

• JOB-E(1): Student Surveys - Notice of Rights
• JOB-E(2): Student Surveys - Consent Form

Background:  Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt and Human Resources, Maranda McGillivray are currently reviewing School Board Policy GCDB: Criminal Background Checks to align with ASBSD recommendations.

• GCDB-E(1): Criminal Background Checks - Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights

Background:  Architecture Inc. has provided a preliminary architectural study for a possible CTE addition at Sturgis Brown High School for the Board to review with the intention to bring it back in December for Board approval.

Background: 

Mr. Wormstadt would like to remind everyone that Thanksgiving break will commence on Wednesday, November 22nd - Friday, November 24th. School will resume on Monday, November 27th for students and staff.

The business office and superintendent's office will be closed over Thanksgiving break.

Christmas break will commence on Thursday, December 21st and go through Tuesday, January 2nd. Classes will resume on Wednesday, January 3rd.

Background:  Justin Jutting is the appointed delegate for the ASBSD Delegate Assembly; Lee Spring is the alternate delegate. The ASBSD Delegate Assembly is Friday, November 17th, at 1:00 p.m. (CST) in Pierre. Board members will have an opportunity to discuss the legislative resolutions and positions. 

Background:  The district has released a draft Annual Report for the Board to review. This year's will be a two-page summary.  Future years we plan to issue a four-page single fold report with more details.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt will update the Board on the process for the 2024-25 (revisions if necessary) and 2025-26 school calendars.  

2024-25 Revisions may be based on high school schedule change or items unknown last year when developed.

The process will start again with MEA teachers proposing two calendars for the administration to review and present for board consideration.  

Background:  The Lauing's have agreed to extend the lease one year.  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will bring back an updated lease agreement in the spring with a modification to cow/calf units.

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  ASBSD is looking for members to advocate for or against specific legislation. The LAN appointment process is currently open and can be completed online.

Background:  November 13 - 17: American Education Week
November 16: Special Board Meeting
November 17: ASBSD Delegate Assembly
November 22-24: No School - Thanksgiving Break
November 27: B&G Committee Meeting
November 28: Policy Committee Meeting