January 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Amended_Regular Board Meeting

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is requesting the board to amend the agenda to include Discussion (Item 13d) Special Education Bonus Structure.

Background:  School board members will appoint a new Meade School District school board member for the six-month vacancy.

Background:  Oath of office will be administered by Brett Burditt.

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:
New Hire (Certificated): Jade Temple, athletic director, district wide, $101,500.00, eff. 7/1/2025.

New Hire (Support Staff): Karin Hagg, self-contained special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Elementary, $18.50/hr, eff. 12/3/2024; Jayden Coffield, paraprofessional, Whitewood Elementary, $15.00/hr, eff. 1/6/2025. 

Retirement (Certificated): Anita DaSilva, special services teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year; Jerri Heggem, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year.

Retirement (Support Staff): James Adams, maintenance worker, buildings & grounds department, district wide, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year; Cindy Lax, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year.

Early Resignation Incentive (Certificated): Jerri Heggem, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year; Kerry Skinner, teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year; Kristi Ortiz, counselor, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year.

Resignation (Certificated): Tiara McGinley, special services teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year.

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

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

Background:  Extracurricular coaches and volunteer coaches will be updated monthly. Any changes will be highlighted in yellow.

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:  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. 

Appropriate and respectful public decorum is expected. Any complaints about school employees should refer to school board Policy KL: Complaint Against School Employee.

Background:  The Character Education Trait for the month of January is "Respect," which includes honor, tolerance, consideration, self-respect, respect for others, and respect for property. 

Background:  SBHS assistant principal, Coleen Keffeler, was recently selected as the South Dakota Region 7 Assistant Principal of the Year. 

Mrs. Keffeler is a dedicated, caring professional who has been a Culinary Arts teacher, led the Career Technical Education Department for several years and transitioned to Assistant Principal at Sturgis Brown High School all while in the Meade School District.  Her compassion for students and willingness to lead is an example for many of us to follow.

Background:  This past fall, several elementary and middle school students who are members of TAG competed in the Noetic Learning Math Contest. This is a national contest. Most of the students in the contest come from more heavily populated states such as Florida, California, Ohio, Georgia, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Kansas, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Award levels are:
National Honor Roll—top 10%
National Honorable Mention—top 50%
Participation (less than top 50%)
Team Achievement—means the team's score fell within the top 10% of all teams participating. Meade School District individual earners and team achievement placements have been shared to their respective building social media pages and webpages.

Background:  Ross Lamphere will present a brief update on the Bear Butte Creek Historical Preservation Project.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is recommending the Board amend the Capable Kids Afterschool Program budget in Fund 53 by $10,000.00 to accommodate the purchase of additional supplies and to host a week of STEAM activities for students in collaboration with the TIE office.

Background:  The school board received proposals from RVM Consultants and Studer Education LLC.  Presentations were given to the board on January 9th at a special board meeting.  The board asked both presenters questions about their ability to fulfill the district's needs over the next three years.

See the attached Request for Proposal for guidelines and criteria the school board is using to make the selection.

The school board will make a motion to engage in a contract at the January 13th board meeting. RVM and Studer proposals are attached for review.

Background:  This is the second reading of School Board Policy IIBFA: Use of Artificial Intelligence Technology.

Background:  This is the second reading of School Board Policy JHCDB: Epinephrine Auto-Injectors.

Background:  This is the second reading of School Board Policy JHCDD: Administration of Opioid Antagonists.

Background:  This is the second Reading of School Board Policy JHCDE: Administration of Medical Cannabis to Qualifying Students and Exhibit JHCDE-E(1).

Background:  This is the first reading of School Board Policy JED: Student Absences and Excuses

Background:  Teacher In-Service is scheduled for Monday, January 20. The in-service agenda is attached for your information. This day is Martin Luther King Day and a no-school day for students.  

Background:  The SD Department of Legislative Audit has reviewed and accepted the audit report for FY24.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt and Mr. Burditt will provide a brief update on the Woodle Field Turf Project. The Buildings & Grounds Committee will bring their recommendation to the Board at the February board meeting.

Background:  Memo on Special Education Staffing Retention and Staffing Bonus attached.

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  Our current timeline creates a time crunch for teachers who are selected as the Meade Teacher of the Year to apply for Regional Teacher of the Year.  I have spoken with Carol Waidor, President of the Meade Education Association, about having the 2025 Meade Teacher of the Year apply to be the 2026 Region Teacher of the Year.  If the teacher is selected to be the Region Teacher of the Year, they will have time to prepare for the 2026 South Dakota Teacher of the Year nomination.  

This allows a more accommodating timeline for the recipient to submit high quality applications for recognition at the next level.  The end purpose is for our great teachers to be recognized at each level and in their busy schedules to submit the application for Region Teacher of the Year.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt will update the Board on legislative issues that will impact schools and educational facilities.

Background: 
January 20: Teacher In-Service/MLK Day (No School)
January 27: B&G Committee Meeting 3:30 pm
January 27: Policy Committee Meeting 5:00 pm
January 30: Insurance Committee Meeting 5:00 pm
February 3: Finance Committee Meeting  5:00 pm