March 9, 2026 at 5:30 PM - Regular Board Meeting (Executive Session to follow)

Background:  The following personnel are presented for the board’s consideration:

Change of Assignment (Certificated Staff): Amanda Christensen, assistant principal, Piedmont Valley Elementary/Stagebarn Middle School, $86,945.00 to principal, Stagebarn Middle School, $109,248.00, eff. beginning the 2026-27 school year.

New Hire (Certificated Staff): Elizabeth Brown, special services teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, $66,288.00, eff. beginning the 2026-27 school year; Sarah Rathert, teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, $55,768.00, eff. beginning the 2026-27 school year;

Resignation (Certificated): Kari Van Zee, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year; Katie-jo Ray, teacher, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year; Kayelyn Whitted, teacher, Whitewood Elementary, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year; Stephanie Paget, special services teacher, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year; Taylor Jordan, teacher, Sturgis Williams Middle School, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year.

Resignation (Support Staff): Emily Hammerstrom, library paraprofessional, Sturgis Elementary, eff. 2/20/2026; Tessa Van Pelt, food service worker, Stagebarn Middle School, eff. 2/17/2026; Emily Snyder, paraprofessional, Sturgis Brown High School, eff. end of the 2025-26 school year.

Leave of Absence (Certificated Staff): Julie Mollman, teacher, Whitewood Elementary, eff. beginning the 2026-27 school year.

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

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

Background:  As a result of the ESSER funds review conducted by the SD DOE and a third-party consultant, it was recommended that the district add a section addressing procurement with federal funds. This section would outline the process for vetting potential contractors and vendors. The Policy Committee and Business Manager Brett Burditt recommend the board approve the recommended changes to the policy per SD DOE.

Background:  ASBSD has recently amended Policy GCDB. The Policy Committee recommends the Board approve the amended policy, as the revisions are editorial in nature and not substantive.

Background:  Curriculum Director Beth Johnson has created an additional exhibit to accompany Policy KLB(1). The new exhibit, KLB-E(3) Instructional and Literary Materials Complaint Rubric, is based on state law and is intended for use within the formal complaint process described in Policy KLB(1).

Background:  Curriculum Director Beth Johnson has created an additional exhibit to accompany Policy KLB(2). The new exhibit, KLB-E(3) Instructional and Literary Materials Complaint Rubric, is based on state law and is intended for use within the formal complaint process described in Policy KLB(2).

Background:  Amend Policy IIA as presented and to include exhibit KLB-E(3) as an additional resource within the complaint process.

Background:  Amend Policy IIAC to include exhibit KLB-E(3) as an additional resource within the complaint process.

Background:  There are no changes to the current policy. Updated to the new format as the revisions are editorial in nature and non-substantive.

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 word of the month for March is "Cooperation," which involves help, assistance, support, teamwork, and working together. 

Background:  Community member, Matt Seidl will provide a brief presentation on the TAG program.

Background:  Reduction of 1.0 FTE Administrative Positions

• Savings of $118,427 through retirement/resignation

Effects

• Eliminates 1.0 FTE (3rd administrator) at Sturgis Brown High School. 

Background: 

Elimination of Contract for 1.0 FTE School Resource Officer Services from Summerset PD

• Savings of $33,500

Effects

• Meade County Sheriffs Department will cover PVE and SMS.  This is the same staffing for SRO's at SES and SWMS.

Background:  Elimination of Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program 1.0 FTE

• Savings of $82,609.00 through retirement/resignation

Effect

• Program serves PVE, SES, WW, SWMS, and SMS

Background:  Reduction of 1.0 FTE SBHS Math Teacher

• Savings $74,235 through retirement/resignation

Effects

• Increased math class sizes
• Possible overload needed 
• Does not reduce offerings within math department

Background:  Reduction of 2.0 FTE teaching positions at Sturgis Elementary.

• Savings of $167,158.00 through retirement/resignation

Effects

• Increased class sizes in 2nd grade and 3rd grade from 20 to 25 students.  

Background:  Reduction of 2.0 FTE teaching positions at Piedmont Valley Elementary.

• Savings of $131,824.00 through retirement/resignation

Effects on next year's class sizes

• Increased class sizes in 3rd grade from 20 to 25 students
• Absorb position from 4th grade and the ratio will remain the same at 24 students per section.

Background:  Reduction of 0.3 FTE Rural Music Teacher moves music position from 0.8 FTE to 0.5 FTE.

• Savings of $25,862

Effects

• Scheduling will be more difficult

Background: 

Reduction of 2.0 FTE for general fund paraprofessionals with the following locations: 1.0 FTE from library service, and 1.0 FTE from Rural. It does not reduce library services for the rural schools.

• Savings of $52,799 through retirement/resignations

Effects

• 1.0 FTE Building librarian services will continue with the head librarian being assigned to a building. Preserves rural library position.

Background:  Due to increased enrollment and the likelihood of continued growth in the Homeschool Connection Program, Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt recommends the Board approve establishing the Homeschool Connection Program as its own educational structure (k-8 school) with the SD Department of Education. This will allow more accurate tracking of student progress and budgeting of the program and has zero costs to the district. A copy of the meeting minutes is required to be provided to the SD Department of Education for supporting documentation.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt recommends the Board approve a $19,543.00 amendment to the General Fund Budget to support SBHS co-curricular equipment purchases. The funding for this amendment was donated by the Sturgis Booster Club.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting the Board amend the Capital Outlay budget by transferring $25,500 from Stagebarn Middle School Interior Improvement Painting Project to Stagebarn Middle School HVAC Repair.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting board approval of the professional services agreement with Skyline Engineering, Inc. for electrical upgrades at Sturgis Williams MS and the Williams Administration Building.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting the board amend the Capital Outlay budget by $28,000.00 for Skyline Engineering to develop project specifications for the Sturgis Williams MS and Williams Administrative Building Electrical Systems Update Project.

Background:  Magnetic Literacy is a comprehensive-structured literacy program grounded in the Science of Reading. It provides explicit, systematic instruction in foundational reading skills and supports all learners, including struggling readers. The program includes digital and physical classroom tools, structured instructional practices for teachers, consumable student materials, and decodable texts aligned to phonics instruction.

Additionally, the purchase will include professional learning scheduled over the first three years of adoption with flexible professional learning thereafter.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting Board approval of the contract with My Turn Playsystems in the amount of $318,512.26 for the Sturgis Elementary Playground Project.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting Board approval of the quote for the SWMS student lockers and authorization to work with Combined Building Specialties to place the order and secure pricing for a late June or early July installation. The FY27 Capital Outlay budget includes $45,000 for this project; the lockers can be secured at a cost of $37,820.

Background:  The Business Office is requesting the Board to accept the bid from Lowe Roofing in the amount of $489,760.00 for the PVE Roof Replacement Project.

Background:  Grand Electric Cooperative is working on a 15-mile overhead to underground conversion to upgrade aging infrastructure along Highway 212 from Maurine to Mud Butte. Because the Meade School District is the current landowner, an easement must be signed in order for the project to proceed.

Background:  Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt is recommending the Board approve the new five-year contract with BH Orthopedics & Spine Care Center. BHOSC will provide for two certified athletic trainers and one weight room trainer at no cost to the school district.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is requesting Board approval of the annual field maintenance agreement with Mammoth Sports Construction. The agreement will begin one year after Substantial Completion and will remain in effect for eight (8) years.

Background:  The district received the 2026-27 contract agreement between Meade 46-1 and the Central Meade Co. Community Center. There is no change to the terms of the contract. 

Background:  Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt is requesting Board approval of a contract amendment with Harlow’s Bus Service and approval to negotiate future route adjustments. Under the proposed amendment, service routes R3, R5, and R7 will be permanently removed from the existing contract and will no longer be serviced by Harlow’s for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year starting March 1, 2026.

Background:  Under the proposed amendment, service routes R3, R5, and R7 have been added to the existing contract and serviced by Dakota Bus for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year starting March 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026, at the rate of $500.00 per bus per day.

The addendum is temporary in nature and is intended solely to provide uninterrupted transportation services in advance of the Master contract term beginning July 1, 2026.

Background:  A Special School Board Meeting - Study Session & Work Retreat is scheduled for Monday, March 30, 2026. The board will review district goals and pillars.

Background:  ASBSD recently updated Policy JFA. The Policy Committee recommends adopting the amended policy to maintain alignment with ASBSD. This is the First Reading of School Board Policy JFA: Student Due Process.

Background:  ASBSD has recently updated Policy GCBDF. While this policy is not currently in place within our district, the Policy Committee recommends the Board adopt the policy for implementation. 

Background:  The third Monday of March is the time of year when local communities review with the Board of Equalization any contested property assessments. The following board members represent the school district: Terry Koontz, Sturgis Board of Equalization; Aaron Odegaard, Piedmont Board of Equalization; Tim Amdahl, Summerset Board of Equalization and Tom Schneller, Whitewood Board of Equalization. The schedules follow:
City of Sturgis - 3/16 @ 5:30 pm @ City Hall
City of Summerset - 3/16 @ 6:00 pm @ City Hall
City of Piedmont - 3/16 @ 6:30 pm @ City Hall
City of Whitewood - 3/16 @ 5:15 pm @ City Hall
 

Background:  All requests for Meade School District bus route changes for the 2026-27 school year must be submitted to the office of the superintendent by Wednesday, April 1 per School Board Policy EEAB: School Bus Scheduling and Routing. 

Background:  Increase the open enrollment cap by 1.5 per student per section per grade level due to state funding or decreasing enrollment. This would apply for one year from 2026-27. We increased the open enrollment cap last year 1.0 per student per section.

•    Kindergarten: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 20 21.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    1st Grade: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 22 23.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    2nd Grade: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 23 24.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    3rd Grade: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 24 25.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    4th Grade: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 25 26.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    5th Grade: The student to teacher ratio shall not exceed 25 26.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    Grade six through grade eight: The student to teacher ratio for core classes may not exceed 26 27.5 students in each grade as a result of open enrollment.
•    Grade nine through grade twelve: Enrollment may not exceed attendance center building capacity.

Background:  There has been a request from rural residents to look at reorganization of some portion of Meade 46-1 with Faith 46-2.  Recently, Mr. Burditt and I met with Faith Superintendent and Business Manager.  All four agreed that we need a better understanding from the Department of Revenue of how the calculation of valuations and the state growth model affect both school districts.  

We are meeting with the Department of Revenue in early April to walk through how reorganization would affect valuations and future taxes for both districts.  This meeting will give information for both boards to review to discuss feasibility.

Background:  Business Manager Brett Burditt is in communication to extend the haying lease with Nic Uherka for an additional one-year term.

Background:  Board reports are enclosed in the Board packet.

Background: 

Come be part of a conversation with fellow board members from across the state on four important topics facing our public schools.

Members of the ASBSD Board of Directors will host four, free online discussions in April covering:

• Legislative Issues & Open Meetings Task Force on Wednesday, April 1 with ASBSD President Shane Roth of De Smet and Past President Garret Bischoff of Huron.
• Community Partnerships on Wednesday, April 8 with ASBSD 1st Vice President Lisa Snedeker of Woonsocket & Board of Director Tanya Gray of Douglas.
• Artificial Intelligence on Wednesday, April 22 with ASBSD 2nd Vice President Eric Stroeder of Mobridge-Pollock & Board of Director Ellie Saxer of Brandon Valley.
• Celebrate Successes on Wednesday, April 29 with ASBSD Board of Director Lexi Lux of Lead-Deadwood and Board of Director Marc Murren of Sioux Falls

Webinars will begin at 7 p.m. (Central).

Attending board members earn 25 ALL points!

Background:  Reminder to complete the Board Training Interest Form that Justin emailed you if there are specific trainings or topics you would like to see included in future board meetings.

Background: 
Legislative Update

• Funding has moved to a minimum of 1% and discussions of 1.5%.
• Property tax bills passed and still in action.
• The last day of the session is March 10th. 

Purple Star Day April 10th

Background:  The SD School Safety Group earned a dividend of $2,217,530.04 based on a three-year performance. The Meade School District earned a dividend of $69,481.44.

Background:  March 16: Finance Committee Meeting @ 4:30 pm
March 19: Teacher In-Service (No School)
March 20: Spring Break (No School) (Business Office & Superintendents Office will be closed)
March 23: B&G Committee Meeting @ 3:30 pm
March 23: Policy Committee Meeting @ 5:00 pm
March 24: School Board Petition Deadline by 5:00 pm
March 26: Insurance Committee Meeting @ 5:00 pm
March 30: SBHS Parent/Teacher Conferences
April 3 & 6: Easter Break (No School)