October 16, 2023 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting (Executive Session to follow)

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:
New Hire (Support Staff): Megan Milstead, special services paraprofessional; Piedmont Valley Elementary, $17.00/hr, eff. 9/25/2023.

Contract Amendment (Certificated): Anna Lyons, special services teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, lane change from BA+12 to MA $3,550.00.

Change of Assignment (Certificated): Mica Sulzbach-Bataille, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, .5 FTE, $24,000.00 to .625 FTE, $30,000.00, eff. 8/22/2023.

Resignation (Certificated): Kyle McGraw, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. 11/3/2023.

Resignation (Support Staff): Karen Helms, food service, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff.9/13/2023; Rebecca Schuster, capable kids, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff. 9/21/2023; Adam Lalicker, network administrator, district-wide, eff. 10/13/2023; Tayla Thorstenson, after school aid, Whitewood Elementary, eff. 10/11/2023; Jessica Krenn, special services paraprofessional, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 10/25/2023.

Background:  Community members who have volunteered to work in schools throughout the district: None have been presented at this time.

Background:  Extracurricular coaches and volunteer coaches will be updated monthly. Any changes will be highlighted in yellow.

Background:  The purpose of the MOU is to establish conditions for YFS to provide trauma mental health education and services to students enrolled at Stagebarn Middle School.  The MOU outlines the responsibilities of YFS and Meade School District. 

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.  None have been presented at this time.

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. 

Background:  The October Character Trait of the month is "Responsibility," which includes accountability, thinking before taking action, and doing what you are supposed to do. 

Background:  The AAU Wrestling Group has donated funds to the district to purchase wall mats at Stagebarn MS for the multi-purpose room. A check presentation will be scheduled soon.

Background:  Tamara Voight, Speech and English teacher at Sturgis Brown High School, has been selected as one of 48 public school educators across 36 states on educating and empowering students for global citizenship. Mrs. Voight and other fellows will participate in a two-day professional development conference in October and a ten-day international field study to Costa Rica the summer of 2024.

Background:  Each year, the Jack Miller Center’s Excellence in Civic Education Award recognizes one K-12 teacher and one professor for extraordinary teaching and student engagement. The 2023 Award for Excellance in Civic Education awarded Honorable Mention to Stephanie Kaufman. Mrs. Kaufman teaches a dual credit American Government course at SBHS for Black Hills State University.

Background:  SBHS recognized 32 positive student referrals for the month of September. Students and staff received a phone call home and certificate, and were treated to pizza and pop on the last Friday in September.

The Sturgis Optimists Club donated $750 to the Positive Referral Program to help pay for the pizza and pop. Photo features Brenda Sabers, SBHS Asst. Principals, Mrs. Keffeler and Mr. Sullivan accepting the check. 

Photo credit: Tim Potts

Background:  Mrs. Erlenbusch, a speech therapist, was nominated and selected by the Speech Language Pathology Board of Directors for her contributions to school speech therapy, which includes her pre-school and early childhood work and being a key member of the Meade School District's Autism Team.
  

Background:  Sturgis Brown High School Principal, Pete Wilson will give a brief presentation on the proposed trimester schedule change.

Background:  The monthly financial reports for the board’s review.  Brett Burditt will answer any questions you might have regarding financials. 

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt, is requesting the Board approve the Contingency Allocation Report #1 for the SBHS Cafeteria Project.  Attached are the supporting documents explaining each approved use of contingency funds for the project.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board's approval to amend the general fund budget by $40,000.00 for Sturgis Elementary Title I 1003 School Improvement Grant. The grant will provide Sturgis Elementary with resources for academic improvement.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board's approval to amend the general fund budget by $24,996.00 for Title I School Improvement Grant at Sturgis Elementary and the ARP Homeless Grant.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is recommending the Board approve a contingency transfer of $30,500.00 for adjustable basketball hoops at Sturgis Elementary and additional concrete at Central Meade Co. School basketball court and high jump pit.

Background:  Mr. Wormtadt recommends the Board approve the change of assignment position for Christian Kotab from Assistant Network Administrator to Interim Network Administrator.  This will be a temporary assignment as we evaluate roles, responsibilities and possible reorganizing of the technology department, focusing on staff and student needs.

The agreement allows for Mr. Kotab to return to his position pending decisions reached on department restructuring.

Background:  Rural Principal, Sarah Scherer is recommending the Board approve the request to hire a paraprofessional at Elm Springs. 

When comparing similar enrollment in rural, we would use Opal, Elm Springs, Atall, and Hereford:

• Elm Springs has 11 students in 5 sections with 2 adults
• Hereford has 13 students in 6 sections with 3 adults
• Opal has 14 students in 8 sections with 3 adults
• Atall has 7 students in 6 sections with 3 adults (one para assigned to one student)

Background:  The Policy Committee is requesting the Board approve the recommended changes to Policy GBED. Those changes include updating to the new format and replacing Sturgis Regional Health with Urgent Care of the Black Hills in Rapid City.

Background:  This is the Second Reading of School Board Policy IGDK: Participation of Alternative Instruction Students. The committee recommends adopting the changes to the policy to reflect ASBSD law changes and the new format.

High School Administration has asked to add the bottom paragraph for clarity of annual expectations for eligibility.

Background:  This is the Second Reading of School Board Policy BD: School Board Meetings. This policy was tabled in July. The committee recommends adopting changes to the policy to reflect ASBSD law changes and the new format.

Background:  The District has an agreement with the Central Meade County Community Center for the use of the facilities. Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board review the recommended changes to the MOU as presented in the attachment for Board approval at the November Board meeting.

Background:  Business manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board to consider extending the grazing lease for one more year to Dennis and Doris Lauing at the same rate. They are currently paying $72.52 per cow/calf pair.

Background:  The official enrollment count was Friday, September 29th for the 2023-24 school year.  This is the number of students currently in school. Partially enrolled students have not been subtracted from this. 

Home School students who participate in activities will be added to this at 0.10 ADM Count.  We had seven home school students on the count day and we expect this number to grow slightly.

Background:  In previous years, the Board has hosted a legislative round table.

Does the Board want to schedule a legislative dinner in December before the December 11th board meeting? Once a decision is made, we will invite our area legislators for a discussion and dinner. 

Background:  The district has ESSR III funds available to research Career Technical Education expansion at the high school.  We will be using these funds to go to the Association for Career and Technical Education Conference  (ACTE) in Phoenix, Arizona from November 29 - December 2.  The team will be looking at what is possible for our Sturgis Brown High School students. 

The team will consist of teachers, administration and board members.  

Background:  Due to the increased use of Woodle Field for events, the current natural grass surface is showing signs of wear and tear, leaving it uneven in spots and susceptible to weather-related damage. Maintenance crews dedicate countless hours to keep the field playable and by upgrading to turf, the maintenance crews could distribute their time more effectively to maintain other facilities in the district.

Background:  The agreement is drafted for teacher early resignation per 5.12 in MEA Negotiated Agreement.  Attached is the draft agreement to be approved in November.

The purpose is to receive resignations early for the district to plan staffing needs and recruitment of high quality staff or manage any staffing or program changes needed for 2024-25 school year in January and February.

In order to be eligible, the teacher must have taught in the Meade School District for 5 years.

If it is successful in planning and recruitment of teachers, we will review to see if this would be beneficial in other employment areas.

Background:  Justin Jutting is the appointed delegate for the ASBSD Delegate Assembly; Lee Spring is the alternate delegate. The ASBSD Delegate Assembly is Friday, November 17th, at 1:00 p.m. (CST) in Pierre.  

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background: 
Goals Meeting
 On October 11th, the school board met with the leadership team and held a district goals meeting.  The team worked towards four goal areas that will need to be finalized.  These four areas were narrowed down from over 20+ areas proposed by the participants.

1. Career Technical Education Opportunities
2. Improved Communication
3. Relevant Curriculum/Career Pathways
4. Staff Professional Development 

The group of 30 worked through problems, obstacles, and hurdles in these areas and outlined potential goals with objectives and action steps.

I will compile and bring specific goals back to the Board for their approval.

CTE Discussions
I will be meeting with Sturgis Economic Development and Sturgis Chamber of Commerce in November on the district facility plan and start discussion on possible needs for CTE.

 

Background:  October 16 - Regular School Board Meeting
October 23 - B&G Committee Meeting
October 23 - Policy Committee Meeting
October 25 - Wednesday's with Wermedal Webinar
November 17 - ASBSD Delegate Assembly
November 29 - December 2: ACTE Conference
Monthly - ASBSD School Law Webinars