September 22, 2025 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:  There was nothing for public forum.

Discussion:         Appoved Regular Board Meeting Minutes of September 8, 2025.

Discussion:         Approved Personnel Action for September 8, 2025. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved August Financial Reports. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved Accounts Payable Report. (Attachment)

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

Discussion:  Superintendent Items:

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case introduced Casey Blochowiak from Studer Education, noting that the district has been engaged in a continuous improvement partnership with Studer Education for about 18 months. The ongoing work with Studer Education highlights leadership's focus on aligning culture and strategy to achieve organizational excellence, shifting random acts of improvement to intentional aligned acts of improvement. A series of stakeholder surveys were implemented last year and will continue this year.  Feedback from the surveys and input from the focus groups direct the school and department improvement plans, which include both academic and operational goals. Upcoming work will be developing the Portrait of a Douglas Graduate this year, which connects to the student success part of the Ownership piece of the District Strategic Direction. It will be a 3-4 month process including focus groups and a steering committee to include all stakeholders.

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case shared the recommendation from the Facilities Master Planning Committee. He gave a historical summary of the committee's work going back to 2019.  Originally, the need was focused on building a new high school.  Since 2022 RSP & Associates has provided demographic data showing the projected growth is expected in the younger grade levels and the focus has shifted to elementary building needs and the middle school. Updated projections show an anticipated growth of 233 students over the next 5 years (exclusive of Pre-K enrollment). Currently, the middle school is above functional capacity and the elementary buildings are almost there.  So the need for additional elementary and middle school capacity is a priority.  Funding is available from the local and state level with the federal funding still pending. As a result of intense work over the past months, the committee has prioritized the district's needs and is proposing one scenario without federal funding and the other if federal funding becomes available.  The committee recommendation will be presented for board approval at its October 14, 2025 meeting.

Discussion:  Reports:

 

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

Ben Frerichs has a District Wellness Committee meeting on Wednesday.

Amy McGovern stated there will be no Box Elder Chamber meeting this week.

Tanya Gray will attend the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday.