April 8, 2024 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:
New Hire (Certificated Staff): Kelsey Duncan, teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $52,679.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Macenzie Ramola, special services teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $48,000.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Stacey Schmidt, teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, $60,160.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Ivy Freese, teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $48,500.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Jayden Shoemaker, special services teacher, rural schools, $48,000.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Trent Doerges, special services teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, $58,118.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year; Ginger Smith, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, $48,000.00, eff. beginning of the 2024-25 school year.

New Hire (Support Staff): Myla Budmayr, special services paraprofessional, Stagebarn Middle School, $19.00/hr, eff. 3/18/2024.

Resignation (Certificated): Robert Flock, special services teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, eff. end of the 2023-24 school year; Ellie Falcon, teacher, Piedmont Valley Elementary, eff. end of the 2023-24 school year; Emily Hill, special services teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, eff. end of the 2023-24 school year.

Resignation (Support Staff): Ashley Bahr, special services paraprofessional, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. 4/12/2024.

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

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

Background:  The Business Office is requesting the Board approve the participation in the ASBSD Protective Trust Worker’s Compensation pool for the 2024-25 school year.   

Background:  This past school year, the insurance committee reviewed plans, history of expenses, wellness planning, and options for plans to offer employees.  The insurance committee is recommending a change to plan offerings.

Continue with:

• Plan 2 - 1,500/3,000 PPO
• Plan 3 - 2,000/4,000 PPO

Add:

• Plan 7 - 5,000/10,000 HSA

Drop:

• Plan 8 - 5,000/10,000 PPO

Rationale:
Plan 7 offers a lower premium and less maximum out of pocket expenses with the option for staff to save money in the Health Savings Account.

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.  

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 Character Education word of the month for April is "Honesty," which involves being sincere, telling the truth, keeping one’s word, and trustworthiness.

Background:  SBHS Principal, Pete Wilson received the Bob Davis Award at the Sturgis Chamber Awards Banquet that was held on Thursday, April 4.

Mr. Wilson is known for leading with kindness and by example, instilling a sense of pride and community in our youth. He is always willing to pitch in, no matter the task, further demonstrating the value in hard work and team spirit. He is a visionary, leading our high school to positive changes. 

Presented by Veronica Grosek, Sturgis Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau Executive Director.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will provide a presentation on the General Fund, SPED and Capital Outlay Budget.

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

Background:  The district is requesting to issue teacher contracts for the 2024-25 school year under the proposed 2024-25 terms of the MEA Negotiated Agreement. If the negotiated agreement is not finalized, the district will issue contracts based on the 2023-24 agreement and new contracts will be issued when the 2024-25 agreement is finalized. 

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is recommending the Board authorize the issuance of administrative contracts for the 2024-25 school year as presented.

Brett Burditt, Business Manager	David Olson, Stagebarn MS Principal
Pete Wilson, SBHS Principal	Amanda Christensen, Stagebarn MS/PVE Asst Principal
Wayne Sullivan, SBHS Asst Principal	Ethan Dschaak, PVE Principal
Coleen Keffeler, SBHS Asst Principal	Chad Hedderman, SWMS Principal
Katy Jutting, SWMS/SES Asst Principal	Brit Porterfield, .55 FTE WW Principal
Chrissy Peterson, Special Services Director	Melissa Pankratz, Asst Special Services Director
Chantal Ligtenberg, SES Principal	Beth Johnson, Curr./Tech. Coordinator - district-wide
Mike Schultz, Activities - district-wide

Background:  The Business Office is requesting approval from the Board to purchase a 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from Nelson Auto Center in the amount of $42,466.00.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt is requesting the Board approve Change Order #1 for the performance bond requirements that were not included in the bid specifications for Rasmussen Mechanical.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt recommends that the hay lease agreement remain with Daniel Woodring, who has handled the lease agreement for the past couple of years. The finalized lease agreement is attached for approval.

Background:  The Business Office is requesting the Board to accept the bid from Loose Endz Cleaning in the amount of $144,240.00 for cleaning services at Sturgis Elementary.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is recommending a study session be scheduled for Monday, April 29, at 5:30 pm per School Board Policy BDB: School Board Study Sessions and Work Retreats.

The following items are on the preliminary agenda:

• Enrollment Review
• Possible staffing additions for open enrollment
• Budget Review
• Levy Review

Background:  This is the Third and Final Reading of School Board Policy GCDB: Criminal Background Checks.

Background:  This is the Third and Final Reading of School Board Policy JOB: Student Surveys.

Background:  The Superintendent and Business Manager are recommending a one-time bonus to offset the high cash balance.  The lowest monthly cash balance cannot be above 25% of expenditures for the year.  Due to extra revenue and lower expenditures, we are in a position that could lead to the return of state aid.

A full explanation is attached.

Background:  Mr. Wormstadt is proposing that the school calendar be adjusted so that the final day for students falls on Tuesday, May 21 with a 2-hour early release. This amendment suggests moving the last day for both students and staff from the previously scheduled date of Wednesday, May 22.

The superintendent is requesting to hold the Staff Reception & Recognition Banquet the morning of Wednesday, May 22, as part of a teacher in-service day.  All staff would participate in the banquet and the celebration will continue to be open to families and the public, with breakfast being served.  When finished, teachers and staff would have building meetings and check out for the remainder of the day.

The following board members are on the Employee Recognition Committee: Charlie Wheeler, Sandy Cass, Brian Voight and Megan Snyder.

Background:  Superintendent, Mr. Wormstadt is recommending the Board approve the 2-year pilot program of the Homeschool Connections Program.

• Cost is at an estimated $106,000 per year.
• It will serve up to 30 ADM students in either a part-time or full-time capacity. 
• Staffing will begin with 1.0 FTE teacher 0.05 Principal.
• Students must be residents of Meade School District or be open enrolled for a minimum of two years.
• KG-8 students online will be served at Whitewood Elementary.  Part-time in-person students may be served at resident school coordinated by Homeschool Connections principal.
• Sturgis Brown High School will continue to serve grades 9-12 homeschool students with current programming.

Parent meeting will take place on April 29th.

Attached is the draft handbook that will be revised throughout the year.

Background:  This is the First Reading of School Board Policy KL: Complaint Against School Employee.  

Background:  There are three 3-year terms open, and the school board election has been set for June 4, 2024. Seven have filed petitions. The business office drew the order of candidates on the ballot. The order will be as follows: Aaron Odegaard - incumbent, Thomas C. Schneller, Kolten Odle, Charles M. Wheeler - incumbent, Terry Koontz - incumbent, Scottie Bruch and Amber Lopez. The 2-year vacancy has been filled by current board member Brian Voight and will not be listed on the ballot. The election is a combined election with Meade County.

Background:  All requests for Meade School District bus route changes for the 2024-25 school year were to be submitted by Tuesday, April 2. The requests are being reviewed by the transportation committee and Harlow's for their recommendations. Action on the requests will be taken by the Board at the August board meeting. 

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will discuss current needs and contract options for the two back buildings for Sturgis Brown High School.

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  The Staff Retirement & Recognition Banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22 at Sturgis Brown High School - West Gym. Breakfast will be served starting at 8:00 am. 

Background:  April 13: SBHS Prom
April 19: Teacher In-Service Day (No school)
April 22: B&G Committee Meeting
April 22: Policy Committee Meeting
April 29: School Board Work Study Session