March 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM - DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Discussion:  All actions in these Minutes were by unanimous vote unless otherwise stated.

President Tanya Gray called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case recognized the Douglas Special Education Department. They recently presented at the State Special Education Conference.  Also, recognized staff members who were nominated for the Above & Beyond award during 3rd quarter.

Discussion:  Several students, parents and teachers spoke in support of keeping the German language program at the high school and the benefits of being a PASCH school.

Discussion:         Approved Regular Board Meeting Minutes of March 11, 2024.

Discussion:         Approved Personnel Action for March 25, 2024. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved February Financial Reports. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved Accounts Payable Report for March 29, 2024. (Attachment)

Discussion:         There were no conflicts disclosed as defined in SDCL 3-23.

Discussion:         Approved request to add three (3) Certified FTE to Special Education staff for purpose of assessment and compliance.

Discussion:  Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Instructions Items:

Discussion:  Douglas High School Principal Beau Voegeli stated Work-Based Learning is a new program being offered this fall at the high school. He introduced WBL teacher, Karline Clark who explained that WBL offers students the opportunity to get into the work force during high school to find out what they like or don't like through exploring, engaging and directly experiencing the work environment. The South Dakota Department of Labor, Department of Education, Career Ready SD, as well as community businesses partner with the school to help students be career and life-ready, in addition to helping grow the local workforce.

Discussion:  Superintendent Items:

Discussion:  Rob Schwarz from RSP Associates reported that they have completed the second year of a district demographic study to project student enrollment for planning purposes of district facilities and staffing. The study is broken down into four parts: Enrollment and Demographics; Development; Projections; and Next Steps. Their forecast model uses available current data factors to project student enrollment will be over 3000 by the 2028-29 school year, with most growth at the elementary and middle school grade levels. Current elementary and middle school facilities are already at or surpassing 100% capacity. RSP recommends that multiple factors continue to be monitored. 

Discussion:  Fiscal Resources Items:

Discussion:  Business Manager Trista Olney explained some of the future implications of new Senate Bill 127 which establishes a new minimum teacher salary of $45,000 and uses this year as the baseline to calculate the district's Average Teacher Compensation. Going forward, both the base salary and the average teacher compensation must increase by whatever percentage increase the State gives to school districts. Ms. Olney showed what those calculations would like for the district for the next ten years. Currently, Douglas's certified base salary is $51,375 with an estimated $80,000 as the average teacher compensation. As a district, we have worked hard to increase our certified base salary previously. As such, our average teacher compensation will start higher. Each year, it becomes exponentially challenging to keep up with the required average teacher compensation rate. The annual penalty for non-compliance is $500 per teacher deducted from the district's state aid. At a future date, the Board will look at how this specifically impacts Douglas and limits classified pay. 

Discussion:  Operational Support Services Items:

Discussion:  Hear Information Reading of Revised or Reviewed Board Policies:
       Revise Policy JECB - Admission of Non-Resident Students (Open Enrollment)
       Revise Policy JED - Student Absences and Excuses
       Revise Policy JEDA - Truancy
       Revise Policy Exhibit JEDA-E(1) - Attendance Sample Letter #1
       Revise Policy Exhibit JEDA-E(2) - Attendance Sample Letter #2
       Revise Policy Exhibit JEDA-E(3) - Attendance Sample Letter #3
       Revise Policy Regulation JEDA-R - Truancy Regulation
       Revise Policy JEDB - Student Dismissal Precautions
       Revise Policy JEE - Student Attendance Accounting
       Revise Policy JEE-R - Student Attendance Accounting
       Revise Policy JEF - Release Time for Religious Practice
       Review Policy JEFA - Senior Privileges
       Revised Policy JEG - Exclusions and Exemptions from School Attendance
 

Discussion:  Reports:

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case reported he and Business Manager Trista Olney met with staffers from Senator Rounds and Senator Thune's offices while they were in Washington DC to attend the National Affiliation of Federally Impacted Schools (NAFIS) Conference. Everyone is still working on figuring out building funding.

He and Business Manager Trista Olney are currently working on a round 2 grant from OLDCC (Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation) due by mid-May with a start date of July 1.

Discussion:  Committee Reports from Board Members and Comments from Associate Board Members.

Board members appreciated the data and reports presented during the meeting.

Amy McGovern attended the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting last week. 

Tanya Gray will attend the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative Board of Directors meeting this week.

Discussion:  Ellynor Martinez from Leadership Matters introduced some new learning around the Board's Working Agreements.