August 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration: Beginning the 2025-26 school year:

New Hire (Certificated): Sarah De Cost, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, $62,137.00; Megan Milstead, special services teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $40,600.00; Karin Zent, special services teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $50,750.00.

New Hire (Support Staff): Heather Bestgen, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $18.05/hr; Marissa Boyd, paraprofessional (1003), Whitewood Elementary, $15.05/hr; Virginia Herweh, paraprofessional (1003), Whitewood Elementary, $17.65/hr; Beth Hodges, playground monitor, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $15.65/hr; Theresa Jaramillo, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $18.25/hr; Michelle Norato, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $20./65/hr; Jenna Pritts, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Brown High School, $17.65/hr; Donna Rudman, food service worker, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $14.85/hr.

Resignation (Support Staff): Jenna Whitman, administrative assistant, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 8/6/2025; Lisa Miller, paraprofessional, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff. 8/1/2025.

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:  The Policy Committee recommends adding the following verbiage to the policy and posters:
Smart watches must be set to Airplane or School Mode.

Background:  Note: Facility Use Fees are not part of the policy and are only for your reference.  The board will review these annually in June/July.

Background:  ASBSD coordinates an Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts on the occasion a bus traveling outside of the district fails.

Background:  Cody Lesmeister, teacher at Sturgis Brown High School was enrolled in the State’s teacher mentorship program. In October 2024, he was exited from the program due to not yet holding a South Dakota teaching certificate, which is a current eligibility requirement. 

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

Background:  The SRO agreement with the Sturgis Police Department has been updated and is ready for approval for the 2025-26 school year. The agreement reflects a 3% increase, totaling approximately $2,353.69.

Background:  The transportation committee and Harlow's met on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, on the following requests received. The following actions have been communicated from Harlow's:

Date Received	Request	Reason	Recommendation
3/13/2025	Request to alter R-2 route.		Approve
3/14/2025	Request to be picked up/dropped off in driveway of residence.	A stop is provided within reasonable walking distance.	Deny
3/19/2025	Request to add a bus stop at the cross street of Anco/Sturgis Rd.		Approve
3/20/2025	Request to add a morning bus stop on W. Hills View Drive & Elk Creek Rd.		Approve
3/31/2025	Request to add a second stop on Stagecoach Lane.	It poses a safety concern in the event of an emergency.	Deny
5/20/2025	Request to add a bus route at MC-23/Hwy 34.	It would result in a significant increase in transportation costs.	Deny

Background:  Activities Director, Jade Temple, is requesting the board approve the recommended rate changes for athletic events for the 2025-26 school year. The changes put us in line with area pricing and allows our students more opportunities to participate in and attend events.

Background:  SDCL 13-8-19 Approval and filing of bonds: requires school business managers to be bonded, with the specific amount of the bond determined and approved by the school board and filed with the county auditor. Recommendation is to set the amount at $50,000.

Background: 

The HR department has identified an increased interest from incoming employees in rolling over their existing 403(b) accounts from previous districts. In response, we are expanding our retirement plan offerings to include an additional 403(b) option, providing more flexibility for employees to defer income for retirement.

An added benefit of partnering with Horace Mann is that they will administer the district’s HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care open enrollment process at no cost. This service will transition to online enrollment, reducing workload for our business office staff and streamlining the overall process.

Costs:

• No charge from Omni Group and Horace Mann if 40 employees enroll within 90 days.
• If enrollment falls below 40, a monthly fee of $100 will apply.

The district will also continue to offer a 457 plan through SDRS Supplemental Retirement.

Background:  Our current wheelchair-accessible van has reached the end of its serviceable life. As a temporary solution, we previously purchased a high-mileage used van; however, this short-term fix is no longer sufficient to meet our transportation needs reliably.

Mr. Wormstadt is recommending the board approve to purchase a more dependable wheelchair-accessible van to ensure safe and consistent transportation for our students. When not in use for primary transportation purposes, this vehicle may also support the transportation needs of Early Childhood Special Education students.

The cost of the replacement van is $32,090.00, due upon delivery. A quote is attached for reference.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the board to approve to amend the capital outlay budget by $32,090.00 for the purchase of a new wheelchair-accessible van.

Background:  Superintendent, Mr. Wormstadt recommends scheduling Gavel training with ASBSD representative, Wade Pogany, for a special board meeting on Thursday, September 25, at 5:30 pm (note this is a change). Mr. Pogony is unavailable Monday, September 29, and this training cannot be held in conjunction with the regular study session and work retreat, so a separate meeting is necessary.

This is a training-only session with no action items or discussion items.

Background:  A special board meeting will need to be scheduled for Monday, September 29, 2025, to hold a study session and work retreat  to start at 5:30.  

Background:  ASBSD recently updated Policy JO: Student Records. The policy committee recommends that the board approve the proposed amendment to remain aligned with ASBSD's guidance and adopt Exhibit JO-E(1) accordingly.

Background:  ASBSD has recently updated Policy BDDG. While this policy is not currently in place within our district, the policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  ASBSD has recently updated Policy JEA. This is the second reading to adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  ASBSD has recently updated Policy JEG. This is the second reading to adopt the policy for implementation.

Background:  ASBSD has recently updated Policy ECABB. This is the second reading to adopt the policy for implementation.

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy and exhibits for implementation.

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy and exhibits for implementation.

Background:  This policy is not currently in place within the district. The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  Teacher in-service is scheduled for Monday, August 18-Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The all staff in-service is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20 with breakfast and refreshments being served. 

Background:  ASBSD delegate and alternative will need to be appointed. This will be brought back for approval at the September board meeting. 

Background:  The school board committee assignments have been updated to reflect the current committee members for the 2025-26 school year.

Background:  The board will discuss and review the process for reducing the projected General Fund deficit in FY26 by planning for corrections in FY27 and FY28. 

Deficit Correction Options (Link to Document) 

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  August 18-21: Teacher In-Service
August 20: All Staff In-Service @ SBHS
August 18, 19 & 21: Open House Schedules
August 25: First Day of School
August 26: Finance Committee Meeting @ 4:00 pm
August 29: No School - Labor Day weekend
September 1: No School - Labor Day
September 2: B&G Committee Meeting @ 3:30 pm
September 2: Policy Committee Meeting @ 5:00 pm