October 15, 2024 at 5:00 PM - DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Rationale:  Request for waiver attached.

Rationale: 

The DSD Calendar Committee is recommending a review and input on the proposed 2025-2026 Academic Calendar. This calendar remains largely consistent with the current (2024-2025) Academic Calendar, with a few minor adjustments:

• Quarter 1 has been moved up by a week.
• The October PD day has been aligned with the holiday weekend to reduce the number of shortened weeks in that month.
• Inclement weather days have been added again and will be reviewed after May 2025.
• Discussions are ongoing regarding whether graduation should be held on Saturday or Sunday.

Rationale:  If passed, IM 28 would have a significant, negative, fiscal impact on public school funding in South Dakota. 

Rationale:  These grant funds have been allocated and need Board approval.

Rationale:  To present and familiarize stakeholders with updated Title IX policies in alignment with current best practices as outlined by the KSB attorneys. These updates are essential to ensure that our district remains compliant with federal regulations, promotes a safe and equitable educational environment, and upholds the rights of all students and staff.
The updated policies will replace our current policies ACAA, ACAA-R, ACAA-E(1), ACAA-E(2), and ACAA-E(3). This transition will streamline our approach, and ensure that we are operating with the most current and legally sound protocols. These updates will enhance transparency, support the well-being of all individuals within our district, and reinforce our commitment to a culture of respect and inclusion.

Rationale:  To align with the new requirements under HB 1020, this policy now includes language reflecting the requirement for certified staff to complete suicide awareness and prevention training and submit certification of completion to the school district. Adoption of this policy update is necessary to ensure the district meets accreditation standards and provides proper oversight of staff training.

Rationale: 

The proposed updates to policies KL-R and KL-E are designed to enhance the clarity and accountability in our formal complaint process. Currently, the policies assign the responsibility of writing a formal complaint to the supervisor. 

By shifting the responsibility for writing the formal complaint to the complainant, we ensure that the concerns are clearly articulated in the complainant’s own words, providing a more accurate account of the issue. This change promotes greater transparency, increases personal ownership, and streamlines the process, making it more efficient for both the complainant and the administration.

Rationale:  The proposed updates to Policy GBM and GBM-R will enhance the clarity and effectiveness of our policy by removing "complaint" from the policies. This revision will promote greater procedural clarity, while improving the efficiency of addressing both complaints and grievances. 

Rationale:  The proposed updates to our district policies are necessary to comply with the new requirements of HB 1197, effective January 1, 2025. This bill mandates that public schools implement measures to limit minors' access to obscene materials, not only through public access computers but also via all tangible resources. While our district already complies with federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) standards, the new law expands the scope to include any written material, images, recordings, or similar items. To meet these requirements, we must ensure that our policy is published on the district website for transparency and accessibility. The policies addressed in this informational reading include the addition of policies IIBG and IIA, updating policies IIAC, IIBGA, and IIBGB, and deleting policies IIAA and IIBGB-R.

Rationale:  Policies IKFC, IKFC-R and IKFC-E reaffirm the district’s commitment to providing alternative credit attainment programs as a valuable option for students in special circumstances. While face-to-face instruction remains the district’s primary mode of education, alternative options, including online courses or correspondence programs, may be approved when it is in the student’s best interest and meets specific criteria.

Rationale:  The Central Office Receptionist/Front Office Secretary plays a vital role as the first point of contact, ensuring a professional and welcoming environment for all visitors, parents, students, and staff. This position supports the central office's daily operations by managing front desk functions, providing administrative assistance, and coordinating communications between departments. The role also requires cross-training in basic business and HR tasks, allowing for versatile support in both offices when needed.

Rationale:  The English Learner Instructional Aide will provide essential support to teachers by helping students overcome language barriers and achieve academic success. This role will assist in delivering instructional programs. The position is crucial to the district’s commitment to providing equitable educational opportunities for all students.

Rationale:  Trista, Drew Duncan, and I traveled to Pierre on Monday, October 7 to meet with representatives from the Governor's office.  We were able to share our funding needs with Ryan Bruner, Jim Terwilliger, and Sara Hitchcock.