November 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:  Board member Ben Frerichs and Superintendent Kevin Case are present via zoom.

Discussion:  There was nothing for public forum.

Discussion:         Approved Regular Board Meeting Minutes for November 12, 2024.

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

Discussion:         Approved October Financial Reports. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved Accounts Payable Report. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved appointment of all board members as Legislative Action Network (LAN) members for the 2025 legislative session.

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

Discussion:  Superintendent Items:

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case outlined the plan to update the District Facilities Master Plan. This work is funded through the current OLDCC grant. An overview of the scope of the work involved will include: 1) Facilities Master Plan Update (most recent is dated 2019); 2) recommendations for new and existing building configurations; 3) recommendations for facilities needs including remodeling of existing space, additions to existing space and building new space; 4) discussion regarding elementary school boundaries. Currently, in the planning stages with COOP Architecture, RSP & Associates and Leadership Matters to form a committee with stakeholder involvement and to set tentative committee meeting dates. 

Discussion:  Board members and Superintendent have proposed a timeline in which to conduct the yearly superintendent evaluation which is to be completed by the second board meeting in February according to Board Policy CBG. Starting with the individual member evaluations due in December through completion of superintendent evaluation in February 2025. 

Discussion:  Fiscal Resources Items:

Discussion:  Business Manager Trista Olney shared South Dakota teacher compensation accountability data. In 2016, the SD Legislature passed a half-cent sales tax increase with the purpose of increasing teacher compensation in South Dakota.  Since that date, schools have been required to report compensation data (SDCL 13-13-73.6) in an effort to show that the additional dollars are being used for teacher compensation.  Each year is currently compared to FY2017 for comparison purposes.  Douglas has always made it a priority to compensate our staff with the most competitive salary & benefits package as possible while still being fiscally responsible.  The attached report from the State of South Dakota was sorted it to show the Districts with the highest average teacher compensation (includes benefits) and the Districts with the highest average teacher salary (does not include benefits). She also compared FY 23 to FY 24 information for both Douglas and the State average. In the 2024 Legislative Session, SB127 passed which requires a minimum teacher salary ($45,000) AND a minimum average teacher salary increase that aligns with the increase in State Aid.  Beginning with FY26, districts will need to increase their own average teacher salary by 75% of the increase to State Aid.  Douglas already meets the minimum teacher salary by a large variance.  However, the impact on increasing the average teacher salary each year by a specific percentage may end up being difficult to maintain. 

Discussion:  Business Manager Trista Olney shared information from the Legislative Financial FAQ created to answer questions regarding Douglas's growth needs. The data includes five years of history for Capital Outlay revenue, expenditures. and cash balance; Impact Aid  revenue, expenditures, and cash balance, as well as comparisons with other districts.

Discussion:  Operational Support Services Items:

Discussion:  Informational Reading of Revised Board Policy DLC - Expense Reimbursements.
Informational Reading of Revised Board Policy DLC - School Properties DIsposal Procedure.

Discussion:  Reports:

Committee Reports from Board Members and Comments from Associate Board Members

 

Discussion:  Ben Frerichs attended the ASBSD Delegate Assembly on Friday, November 22 and voted on the standing positions for education issues for the upcoming legislative session.  ASBSD stressed the importance of having all board members as LAN reps.

Tanya Gray also commented on the Delegate Assembly as she attended the ASBSD Board of Directors meetings last week. There are several important educational issues coming up this year, and it is important to be in touch with our local legislators.  There are several new ones who were elected this fall.