January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM - Regular Board Meeting

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:
Change in Hourly Rate (Support Staff): Kasha Wells, food service, Sturgis Williams Middle School, $15.75/hr to $17.75/hr (Tier 2), eff. 1/12/2026.

Resignation (Support Staff): Tod Lanphear, maintenance, Buildings & Grounds Department, eff. 12/10/2025.

Retirement (Certificated): Janis Mathis-Anderson, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of 2025-26; Julie Meyer, teacher, Sturgis Elementary, eff. end of 2025-26; Laura Sandness, teacher, District-wide, eff. end of 2025-26; Amy Richards, teacher, Rural, eff. end of 2025-26; Gary Nelson, teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School/Stagebarn Middle School, eff. end of 2025-26; Kim Cunningham, teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. end of 2025-26; Coleen Keffeler, assistant principal, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of 2025-26.

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

Background:  Community members who have volunteered to work in schools throughout the district: Judy Lewis, Sturgis Elementary

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

Background:  The policy committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation with the following edits. 

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. 

Appropriate and respectful public decorum is expected. Any complaints about school employees should refer to school board Policy KL: Complaint Against School Employee.

Background:  The Character Education Trait for the month of January is "Respect," which includes honor, tolerance, consideration, self-respect, respect for others, and respect for property. 

Background:  Curriculum Director Beth Johnson will present the proposed Science curriculum adoption for implementation in the 2026-27 school year.

Background:  The Board approved the Resolution to move from three-year term limits to four-year term limits for board members. The Policy Committee recommends that the Board amend Policy BB: School Board Legal Status to revise the term of office for Board members from three-year terms to four-year terms.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt, is requesting authorization from the Board to hold a combined county and school district election with Meade County Auditor in June 2026. The district and the county will need to enter into an agreement for the purpose of renting the services of the electronic ballot machine for the school board election.

Background:  Lawrence County has provided a Combined Election Agreement to conduct elections in even-numbered years in conjunction with the regular June primary election. Elections are being combined to save tax dollars on the cost of individually conducted elections and to encourage a better voter turnout for all entities.

Background:  The Business Office and Transportation Committee recommend that the Board accept the proposal from Dakota Bus and direct the Superintendent and Business Manager to finalize the contract for subsequent Board approval.

Background:  At the October Board meeting, the Board approved the Early Retirement Incentive MOU, which provides early retirement incentives for eligible district-certified teachers. Superintendent Mr. Wormstadt recommends that the Board approve the specific early retirement incentive amounts for the following district-certified teachers and administrators.

Name	Building	Amount
Janis Mathis-Anderson	Sturgis Elementary	$15,000.00
Julie Meyer	Sturgis Elementary	$15,000.00
Laura Sandness	District wide	$15,000.00
Amy Richards	Rural (.8 FTE)	$12,000.00
Gary Nelson	SWMS/Stagebarn MS	$15,000.00
Kim Cunningham	Stagebarn MS	$15,000.00
Coleen Keffeler	Sturgis Brown HS	$22,500.00

Background:  This item represents Part Two of the acceptance letters related to the 2024-25 Meade School District 46-1 audit. Part One was presented to the Board at the previous meeting. Inclusion of Part Two in the January Board packet is necessary to complete the audit acceptance process.

Background:  Petitions for school board vacancies for the 2026-27 school year can start being circulated on February 2, 2026 and no later than March 24, 2026 for the June 2, 2026 election.

The election timeline, nominating petitions and other forms are located on the district website.

Background:  Business Manager, Brett Burditt will provide a brief update on the FY27 Capital Outlay Budget.

Background:  Discussion will be held on whether to implement a modified calendar and possible timeline.

Background:  Looking at the future needs of the school district and communities, daycare is a consistent need for employees, public and private.  The recruitment and retention of a younger workforce can benefit from daycare availability. Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt proposes the Board to consider and explore the benefits of using school spaces for daycare where possible.

Areas to explore:

1. Community needs
2. Space availability 
3. Regulatory requirements
4. Public and Private partnerships
5. Grant funding

What Meade 46-1 can provide:

1. The school district can provide consistent space providing stability to the program.
2. Partnership with provider and the community for consistent access to daycare.

Why is this important to discuss now?  We currently have space in Whitewood Elementary that could be available. When planning for the CTE addition at Sturgis Brown High School, we can consider additional space for curriculum and technology, creating a repurpose of Francis Case Elementary School into a daycare.  
 

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background:  Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year nominations are being accepted for 2027. Nominations are welcomed by parents, community members and staff members.

Background:  January 19: No School (MLK day)
January 20: Finance Committee Meeting @ 4:30 pm
January 21: 2-Hour Late Start for Students (Staff Professional Development day)
January 26: B&G Committee Meeting @ 3:30 pm
January 26: Policy Committee Meeting @ 5:30 pm