February 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:
New Hire (Certificated): Ashley Odle, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, $50,000.00, beginning the 2025-26 school year.

New Hire (Support Staff): Daena Navarro, food service worker, Piedmont Valley Elementary/Stagebarn Middle School, $14.68/hr, eff. 1/29/2025.

Change in Hourly Rate (Support Staff): Shilo LaMont, food service worker to head cook, Sturgis Brown High School, $14.68/hr to $15.43/hr, eff. 1/27/2025; Alicia Harris, food service site manager, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $17.70/hr to level 4 $18.35/hr, eff. 1/1/2025; Jennifer Raatz, food service worker to head cook, Sturgis Brown High School, $14.20/hr to $15.45/hr, eff. 1/27/2025.

Change of Assignment (Support Staff): Carla Walker, cafeteria/recess monitor, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $16.35/hr, to special services paraprofessional, Stagebarn Middle School, $17.50/hr, eff. 2/4/2025

Resignation (Certificated): Kylie Farrar, teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. end of the 2024-25 school year.

Resignation (Support Staff): Ivey Hamilton, food service, Sturgis Elementary, eff. 2/5/2025; Erica White-Kemp, special services paraprofessional, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 1/16/2025; Erica White-Kemp, playground duty, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff.1/20/2025; Codi Tchida, food service, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. 12/20/2024.

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:  This is the third/final reading of School Board Policy IIBFA: Use of Artificial Intelligence Technology.

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

Background:  This is the third/final reading of School Board Policy JHCDD: Administration of Opioid Antagonists.

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

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 February is "Courtesy," which includes graciousness, politeness, consideration, and good manners.

Background:  The Meade School District will join districts across the state to thank school board members for their leadership and service to our school district and community during South Dakota School Board Recognition Week from February 17-21, 2025. During School Board Recognition Week, the Meade School District invites students, staff, and community members to take part in thanking its school board members.

Background:  Piedmont Valley American Legion Post 311 has named Kattie Bland, Educator of the Year for 2024 -2025, and presented her a plaque at the Stagebarn Middle School.

Bland is a physical education teacher at the school and is also credited with organizing the annual sock drive that supports veterans of the Northern Black Hills at the annual We’ve Got Your Six event held every November in Sturgis.

Bland is in her 10th year of teaching. She taught one year on the reservation, eight years in Spearfish, and this is her second year in middle school and has taught everything from strength and conditioning to PE and health. 

Photo credit: Tim Potts

Background:  Special Services Director, Chrissy Peterson and SBHS senior, Zoe Herringer, will provide an update on Project Search. Project SEARCH is a unique Transition-to-Work Program business led, one-year employment preparation program with the sole outcome of competitive employment for students with disabilities.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is recommending the Board amend the general fund budget by $35,816.00 for Studer Education professional services. The amount is for the last two quarters of the fiscal year. The budget amount next fiscal year will be $71,632.00.

Background:  Beth Johnson, Curriculum Director, recommends the Board approve the purchase of a new Social Studies curriculum at $225,659.23 for grades 5-12 which includes a 6-year contract from TCI (5th Grade), McGraw-Hill (grades 6-12) and Savvas (HS Government). The cost includes class sets of materials, digital licenses to the online platforms, and professional development.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting authorization from the Board to negotiate and enter into service agreements for the following FY26 Capital Outlay Projects within the financial parameters defined in the FY26 Budget. 

1. WW Boiler Replacement Project $37,000.00
2. PVE HVAC Controls Upgrade Project $59,000.00
3. SBHS HVAC Controls Upgrade Project $66,000.00
4. STEL Roof Replacement Project Phase 2 $100,000.00
5. SBHS Roof Replacement Project $100,000.00
6. Woodle Field Concessions Waterline $47,000.00

This allows the District to get on the contractor's summer schedule in a timely manner and enhances our ability to have them completed by the start of the 2025-26 school year.

Background:  The Meade School Board directed the Superintendent and Business Manager to review the possibility of turf at Woodle Field. We have presented to the Buildings & Grounds Committee and Finance Committee the following:

The rationale for switching to turf is based on:

• Current field condition and need to re-crown, reseed/sod and new irrigation cost $600,000.00 to $750,000.00 estimated.
  • BH State spent approximately $600,000.00 on this and then proceeded to change to turf.
• The number of games/activities has been 63-71 in each of the last three years. (attached)
• Expected increase in activities from youth programs to high school.
• Reduce summer and in season maintenance workers, time on mowing, water, fertilizing, and marking of field.
  • This allows the maintenance department with limited staff to focus on other needs across the district.
• Business Manager, Brett Buditt will show a plan to pay for the field through capital outlay.

Enclosed is the proposal and letter about less dirt removal.  Three alternative options may be considered next fall, but are not part of the turf field.

• Turf Budget $1,300,000.00 including contingency
• Alternative option 1. Scoreboard/video board $175,834.00
• Alternative option 2. Visitor Bleachers $225,563.00
• Alternative option 3. 1 set of play clocks $28,406.00

Background:  Effective in 2025, the mileage reimbursement rate increased to be consistent with the mileage reimbursement rate for businesses set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to $0.70 from $0.67/mile.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt, is requesting authorization from the Board to hold a combined county and school district election with Meade County Auditor in June 2025. The district and the county will need to enter into an agreement for the purpose of renting the services of the electronic ballot machine for the school board election.

Background:  Petitions for school board vacancies can start being circulated on March 1, for the June 3, 2025, election. The three 3-year terms that are ending are Sandy Cass, Justin Jutting, and Lee Spring and the one year term is Thomas Schneller.

The publication of the Notice of Vacancies will run in the newspaper on February 19 and February 26. The business office will have petitions available for the public to stop and pick up or obtain online at the SD Secretary of State website. Signed petitions are due back to the business office no later than March 25, at 5:00 p.m.

Note: Petitions must be printed on both sides of paper for signatures

Background:  SBHS Rodeo Club is looking for access to water for the arena and road dust abatement. Brett Burditt, Business Manager, is recommending the district allow the rodeo club to access water at SBHS East Campus, maintenance water hook up, to fill a water tender during the rodeo season.

The district will work with the rodeo club on other options to consider as the club starts to have more activity in the new area.

Background:  The 2025-26 rural school calendar has been amended to include Friday, March 13, 2026, as a regular school day for students and staff instead of a non-school day.  This is due to the spring break on the 20th of March and Inservice on the 19th of March.  This was not correctly noted on the Rural Calendar.

Background:  A special board meeting with executive session will need to be scheduled for Monday, February 24, 2025, at 5:30 pm to discuss Personnel (SDCL-1-25-2.1) and Student Related Matters (SDCL -1-25-2.2).

Background:  Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt is requesting the Board to approve the MOU for the hiring and transfer bonus structures for current special services teachers and licensed staff as presented.

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

Background:  This is the first reading of the new School Board Policy CA: Administrative Goals

Background:  This is the first reading of School Board Policy CBA: Qualifications and Duties of Superintendent. The policy has been revised to be more in line with ASBSD recommendations.

Background:  The Policy Committee is recommending removing School Board Policy CB: School Superintendent, as the committee recommends replacing it and adopting the following School Board Policy's CBB, CBC and CBG.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CBB: Recruitment and Appointment of Superintendent

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CBC: Superintendent Contract Compensation and Benefits

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CBG: Superintendent Evaluation, Exhibit CBG-E(1) Goals Based Form and Exhibit CBG-E(2) Standards Based Form.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CC: Administrative Organization Plan along with the organization chart.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CCB: Lines of Authority and Staff Relations.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CF: School Building Administration.

Background:  The Policy Committee is recommending to remove School Board Policy CHCA: Approval of Handbooks and replace with School Board Policy BFCA: Board Regulations and Handbooks. Policy BFCA was adopted on 9/11/2023.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CHD: Administration in Absence of Policy or Regulation

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CK: Program Consultants

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy CM: School District Annual Report

Background:  The district is requesting to purchase 2025 Ford Transit Passenger Van. This van is intended to replace the 2013 "old Scooper" van, which currently has approximately 125,000 miles on it.

Please note that the lead time to procure a van through the CPC (Central Purchasing Cooperative) ranges from 4 to 5 months. Additionally, we received a quote from a local dealer that was $8,000.00 higher and would necessitate a bidding process for the vehicle.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will provide an update to the Board on the FY26 Preliminary Capital Outlay Budget.  The board sets the revenue request in July after the June budget hearing is held.

The minimum request we are proposing is a $250,000 increase in revenue to build the preliminary budget. 

The Superintendent's recommendation is a $350,000 increase in revenue to build the preliminary budget.  We continue to see pricing pressures on building maintenance and needs across the district.  Our property insurance carrier EMC is focusing on insurability of buildings based on life safety upgrades including electrical and other items for ratings.  

Background:  The elected Board President is responsible for assigning committee roles. Attached are the updated standing committees.

Background:  The SD Wildland Fire Group is requesting use of Sturgis Brown High School and Stagebarn Middle School during the fire seasons as potential headquarters for their teams.  Attached are the previous agreements we had on file.

Background:  This agreement has been in place at SBHS East Campus beginning 11/1/1975 and was amended last on 12/1/2008. This agreement is set to terminate on 11/1/2025 unless extended by the SD National Guard and Meade 46-1.

The district currently receives two payments a year of $2,850.00 or $5,700.00 annually.  Business Manager, Brett Burditt recommends scheduling a meeting with the SD National Guard to discuss a new agreement and possible changes that may impact the current agreement.

Background:  Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt is recommending the Board increase the open enrollment cap by one per section per grade level due to less state funding.

Background:  Harlow's has not been fulfilling their contract obligation of 25 routes for this school year and last year they had times they could not do this either.  For the consistency, we have 23 routes and attempting few changes.  We currently receive a partial savings but not the full savings on the routes.

We asked in January to re-negotiatiate the contract at 23 routes to create 1) have the contract reflect what they are providing 2) find savings within our budget.

The letter received is attached in short state we will not receive a lower rate but the same rate regardless.  Our contract specifically states 25 routes and Harlow's is in breach of the contract by only providing 23 routes. 

I have invited Harlow's to attend the meeting.

Background:  February is typically when the district starts advertising for retirees, resignations and new positions. There are several support staff, certified and administrative positions that will need to be filled. New positions require Board action to create the additional position. If there are any recommendations for new positions, those recommendations will be brought back to the March Board meeting. Open enrollment may increase staffing.

Current posted positions within the District (*comes from Special Education Funding and all other are General Education Funding):

• maintenance worker 
• head custodial position 
• middle school science teacher
• program behavior specialist (new)*
• special education teacher (new)*
• behavior analyst*
• guidance counselor
• substitute school nurse
• food service worker
• cafeteria/lunch supervisor
• sped paraprofessional (new)*
• playground supervisor
• several coaching positions

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  Board President, Justin Jutting has provided a board report.

Background:  Feb 10-13: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Feb 14: Teacher In-Service (no students)
Feb 17: No School (Presidents' Day)
Feb 20-24: ASBSD School Board Recognition Week
Feb 24: B&G Committee Meeting
Feb 24: Policy Committee Meeting