001Call the meeting to order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Okay. Well, good evening everybody. I'm Don Marie Johnson and I will be presiding over tonight's meeting in President Kelly's absence. We have a really big exciting good news report. So I want to get to that right away. Deianne, take it away. Have a full house here tonight with a lot of special recognitions to go around. So uh tonight we wanted to uh bring some of the best and brightest Sou Falls students before you and present to you our national merit finalists. Uh this is a very busy Monday evening. I know that
002we have uh school concerts going on and uh many of these students have AP tests that they're taking this week. So many things happening and we're so grateful that they would join us. Um as we get started here, I'm going to have our students who are National Merit finalists come to the front and if you'll just stand over in that area and face us, please. So this year we have 13 students in the Soufel School District who earned status as finalists for national merit scholarships. This award was established in 1955. That was back in a time when there was some concern in the United States that maybe we were lagging a little bit behind in the global race for excellence and sort of the the cold war era and the scientific race along that. Um
003that year the National Merit Scholarship Program was created to identify and honor scholastically talented American young people and to encourage them to develop their abilities to the fullest potential. The Sou Falls School District, we are proud to say, has had a long history of students who have qualified as finalists and uh they represent the very best of our students who will be graduating this coming Sunday. So, can you even believe it's here? Um this year I want to introduce uh the students who have earned this distinction and recognize that a couple of those who have earned finalist status are out doing other things this evening including those concerts and such. So uh I'll ask them to step forward if they're here this evening. Matteline Davis, Mason Dean, Andrew Garcia Enriquez, Christa Hikola, Naomi Jesperson, Scout
004Minister, Rihanna Peterson, William Bristo, Scout Broetter, Nadia Schneider, Kian Song, Christopher Tao, and Brady Wheeler. Let's congratulate these students. They are among 15,000 students from across the United States who have earned the distinct distinction as National Merit Scholars. The students stand me standing before you have great plans for the future. Uh really impressive things that they want to do with their time and energy including economics, um chemistry, engineering, um some headed to the University of Alabama, one to Stanford, uh Twin Cities, and just a variety of of other um things. And I will say that most likely this is not the only accolades that these students have earned along the way. Um so we're very proud to have them representing the Sou Falls School District and um the excellence that is available to all public
005school students uh because our teachers do an excellent job of pouring u themselves into the education that they provide our students. So, we're grateful that all of you could take the time to be here this evening as we recognize it's a significant uh time where you're you're feeling like you could probably be doing a lot of other things. So, with that board, uh I have some additional things, but if you'd like to address these students in any way, I will allow you to do that now. >> Yes. Would someone like to go first? >> Okay. Well, I just want to say congratulations. when I was looking this up, um, initially 1.3 million students are considered for this. So, the fact that we have so many of you, this is a great honor to get to
006this point. We're very proud of you. And I know Dr. Null brought up, you know, making sure that you thank the people that have followed you along the way and supported you. So, I definitely want to echo that. Um, another thing that I just learned was there's a few of you that were in third grade together. So you guys have started at such a young age and seen each other through your whole academic career to this point and I think that is so special and I think Elizabeth was like what did that teacher do? What was the seating like like how do we how do we mimic that again because we that would be such a great model to f follow. But congratulations to all of you and I will let my colleagues chime in
007as well. I too would like to congratulate you for this great accomplishment. You know what are schools about? We're about teaching and learning and you have excelled in the learning part of that curve. So, thank you very much for everything you've given your schools. I wish you nothing but the best in your future as you continue on and always continue to make your family and your schools proud. >> And I'll just add on really quick. I know, you know, we spend a lot of time cheering on our sports teams um in our schools and we don't always get to honor and recognize uh the kids who are excelling academically. So, I think this is really important. We're we're u just thrilled for all of you and we know how hard you've worked um year after
008year and so enjoy this moment in the sun, enjoy graduation and you should be very proud of yourselves. >> Congratulations. I'll have these students be seated and we will continue on with the second portion of this evening's good news report. So, uh, a few weeks ago we had another student from Sou Falls who represented our city and our public schools very well on a national stage. And Michelle McIntyre from Washington High School is here with her student Damian Dean. and I would invite them to both come forward at this point. Um Michelle's going to tell you a little bit about Damian Dean who participated in the National Poetry Out Loud um contest and then uh Damian's going to perform for us as well. >> Well, good evening and thank you for letting us share our
009good news, our wonderful good news with you. Um, as Deianne said, uh, on April 28th and 29th, we were in Washington DC, and Damen had been given the honor of representing South Dakota after having been named, uh, state champion in Poetry Out Loud back in March. Um, I had the honor to uh, make a coaching connection with Damian at the Whittier Poetry Slam, which I know some of you were involved with this week. Uh, every single year my squad and I go over to help coach those kids and and help them develop confidence. And here is where I met eighth grade Damian. Uh, which was a true joy and a true privilege. And getting to watch him grow as a performer in so many different events that he is involved with with poetry and with
010speech uh has really just been a privilege. Um, so Damian had the task at poetry out loud to come up with three poems from an anthology online. One had to be written prior to the year 1900, one had to be 25 lines or less, and then one was his choice. And so we sat for a long time and sifted through poems to find ones that really fit him and that he could show his understanding and his range as a performer. Uh so he is here tonight and he's going to show you what I think was the competition poet or poem uh that night and it is called the new day. So, here's Damian. The New Day by Fenton Johnson. From a vision red with war, I awoke and saw the prince of peace hovering over
011no man's land. loud. The whistles blew and the thunder of canon was drowned by the happy shouting of the people. From the Sinai that faces Armageddon. I heard this chant from the throats of white robed angels. Blow your trumpets, little children, from the east and from the west, from the cities in the valley, from God's dwelling on the mountain. Blow your blast that peace might know she is queen of God's great army. With the cry and blood of millions, we have written deep her name in the book of all the ages. With the liies in the valley, with the roses by the mercy, with the golden flower of Jersey, we have crowned her smooth young tempers. Where her footsteps cease to falter, golden grain will greet the morning. Where her chariot descends shall be broken
012down the altars of the gods of dark disturbance. Never more shall men know suffering. Never more shall women whailing shake to grief the God of heaven. From the east and from the west, from the cities in the valley, from God's dwelling on the mountain. Little children, blow your trumpets from Ethiopia grown beneath her heavy burdens. I heard the music of the old slave songs. I heard the whale of warriors, Dusk Brown, who grimly fought the fight of others in the trenches of Mars. I heard the plea of blood stained men of dusk and the crimson in my veins leapt furiously. Forget not, oh my brothers, how we fought in no man's land that peace might come again. Forget not, oh my brothers, how we gave red blood to save the freedom of the world. We
013were not free. Our tiny hands were tied. But Belgium's plight and Serbia's woes we shared each rise of sun or setting of the moon. So when the bugle blast had called us forth, we went not like the surirly brute of yore, but as the Spartan, proud to give the world the freedom that we never knew nor share. These chains, oh brothers, mine, have weighed us down as Samson in the temple of the gods. Un loosen them. And let us breathe the air that makes the golden rod the flower of Christ. For we have been with thee in no man's land, through lake of fire and down to hell itself. And now we ask of thee, our liberty, our freedom in the land of stars and stripes. I am glad that the Prince of Peace is
014hovering over no man's land. Okay, I'm not even like here right now. Like you took us with you on such an amazing journey. I could feel everything you were saying. It was so powerful. I'm sorry. Oh, >> like I had goosebumps the whole time. That was incredible. You have such a gift. I hope you plan on taking that gift really far. I know you will. But man, we're in a room of greatness right now. Like all the hope that I feel for our world just amongst this first group and Damian, like we're going to be all right in the world. We really are. Especially with you guys leading the way. You can take my spot too. Take this spot as well. I'd love to hear any any uh future plans for you where you're at.
015Please share. >> Um right now I'm planning on going to a 4-year university in New York called Pratt and I'm going to study photography for two years. Then I'm going to eventually go into film and television and then I hope to be a film director. >> Yeah, you are. >> Yes, you are. That's incredible. Congratulations. You feel good coming out the other side of that competition? Yeah, it was it was surreal. I couldn't believe it. >> Yeah, made some good connections. Probably lifelong. >> That was like I'm in speech and debate and I love the community there, but like just like all the different states that I met, it was just there was a community of poets there. You could tell that like there was a strong energy of like community building that we did
016there. So, I was very grateful for that experience. >> Oh, and you started at Whittier, right? Yeah, I started in eighth grade poachi slam. >> Yep. >> It was very dark poem, but um >> Yeah. Dr. Nold and I were the judges this year and it was um like you said, there was some deep deep pain and hurt, but you found an avenue to heal and grow through it. So, that's really special and I'm really happy you found that. And you know, what a great way to use that power. That was so powerful. Anybody else want to Gail needs a Kleenex. I always do when it comes to uh our students and the great work. Wow. That's all I can say. We need to start every school board meeting with some great talented students here
017showcasing what they can do because it's just been an awesome board meeting. >> So, I want to say I wish you well, sir, and you've got miles of talent. Thanks for sharing it. So, and you're still writing your own poetry. >> Uh, yeah. I've been like I at first I wasn't really like too into my writing for poetry. Then I think last year after going to that competition, I really realized that, you know, I want to create things that are similar to this that tell its own story. So, I've been writing a lot lately. >> That's that's awesome. I would I would love to hear some of your original poetry and you performing your own because if you can do that with something that >> you didn't create. >> I can't imagine what you could
018do with something like the words that came right out of your heart. So, um amazing. >> I am just so um so grateful that that you came here tonight and um shared your gift with everyone. >> Thank you so much. >> Yeah. Thank you for being here. Let's give him another round of applause. And one final bit of of good news, and I forgot my um my script back at my desk because I too was like the goosebumps came and then all of a sudden they subsided and then all of a sudden they were back again and then there were more goosebumps. So very cool. um in the Sou Falls School District, one of the things that we do is we recognize um staff members who go above and beyond and we have so many
019of them. Uh this past year we've uh recognized uh over 20 staff members with allstar awards and um this evening we're going to do our first recognition of an all-star at a school board meeting. So Dr. Null, >> this balloon's going to beat me up yet. Uh we do have incredible talent and we've uh we we know that throughout our district and we have so many highlights that we can show and bring forward. Uh obviously with our academics and and some of the brightest and best of the best here with us this evening and the National Merit Scholars and and with the um the poetry obviously incredible and to watch uh Damian out in the competition out there was was really fun to see. Um and I I still would say you won. But anyway,
020I'm not one of the judges. Uh that's uh uh my personal opinion. We do also, as was stated, recognize uh teachers as we go through with our all-star award and have with over 20. I didn't have to travel to the school building at this time since the individual came here. So, I'll have Michelle McIntyre come forward. >> I'll give that. And I have a little bit to read here. And so I I will read this part uh >> and go through and and uh not just on the results of Damian. This is so much more. And so I'd like to share some of this information with you. Uh Michelle serves many roles at Washington High School, including English teacher, teacher pathway instructor, head speech, and oral interp coach. Uh no matter the role, she leads
021with commitment to create opportunities for students. And the part that she was going to be recognized for for the all-star was this Knicks part uh besides many of the other things that she does. But one recent accomplishment that especially stands out as this past fall, Michelle was instrumental in helping to create the first ever South Dakota Unified speech category at the local speech and debate tournament. Uh the event created a new opportunity for students with special needs to compete alongside their peers. The response was overwhelming. The room was so full of supporters that the doors had to remain open. so additional spectators could watch from the hallway. Michelle's work truly reflects uh what public education is all about to create spaces where every student feels seen, valued, included, and celebrated. Thank you, Michelle, for the
022countless ways you support students, for the lasting impact you continue to make on our district. Uh in addition, we asked Miss Papy to be here, so we'll have Miss Papy come forward, too, because we usually do a photo of these. So, we'll have to do the same here as well. So, we appreciate greatly the work that you do and and your work with the unified. I know Mr. Mr. Hazlet is here and has done a lot of work with the unified games with uh with the activities and sports and attended a couple of those this year uh when Lincoln and Washington played and then over at George McGovern, I'm sorry, Ben Rifle. Uh but to add this now in the show choir, also the unified show choir, but to have this now into the speech
023and debate is incredible. So that our students all have a place that they can excel and learn and grow. So thank you for your work on that. >> Thank you. So >> we'll do a photo right over here. Deian, is there anything else? >> Our heart like our hearts can't even take anymore right now. What an amazing good news report. So, now's the part where, you know, like I said, if you love government, stay and hang out and watch the rest of the board meeting. I'm just kidding. You can definitely leave. Um, you're welcome to stay. Please grab popcorn, frescas, snacks real quick, and then we're going to continue. And Gail needs a minute to recoup and a Kleenex. Thank you for coming, everyone. We're so proud of you. >> That was amazing. Cool. We
024got a few government lovers in here. Nice. Thanks for sticking around. Um, we're going to move on. I think we're safe to keep going here. Um, can I get a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 427 26 and 5626? >> So moved. Second. >> All those in favor? >> I opposed. Those pass. Shelley, is there anybody wishing to address the board? We're good to go. Can I get approval of tonight's agenda? >> So moved. >> Second. >> Okay. But I would like to make a motion. I thought we had to. >> Okay. >> You can put forward a motion. >> Okay. >> Um I would like to make a motion to amend uh the consent agenda by um tableabling item C2A. the Renburgg HVAC authorization >> 9 C2A. >> Yes, 9
025C2A. >> Second. >> Okay. So, there is a motion to table 9 C 2. Any discussion? >> Yes. I just want to um say that we are tableabling this because first of all we're a small board tonight. We're missing two of our colleagues and we think that all five people should weigh in on this decision whether or not to uh upgrade the HVAC system at Renburgg. We think that's a a critical thing to get more information about and to table. So, I'm assuming you want it brought back to the next meeting in May. >> Correct. >> Okay. So, we'll table it two weeks until the next meeting in May. >> Okay. All All those in favor of um moving that to our next meeting say I >> I. >> That motion passes. So, the agenda
026is amended now before us. Is there a motion to adop adopt the new agenda as amended? >> So moved. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> And we have our agenda. All right. Seeing as there's no conflicts of interest tonight, we will move on to approval of consent agenda 9 A through F. Some >> amended. So moved. >> Second. discussion. >> Yeah, there is an item in here that I just want to talk favorably about and that is the promising futures uh contract our memorandum of understanding to expand our promising future coaches advisors uh at all four of our high schools. They have done miraculous work at Jefferson High School this year and to be able to have that expanded to all four of our high schools I think is just terrific. You
027know, there are such great supports for our counselors who already do incredible work in our high schools, but it's one more support system for those kids and their futures. whether it's filling out FASAs or applications for school or military, wherever they are choosing to go, it's great to have those advisors with them as well. Um, I know that Promising Futures is a little short on their funding to make this happen and I know they're still trying to raise funds to make it happen. So if anyone out there is so inclined and is so able to be able to donate to promising futures especially this uh access college access program that would be awesome. So thank you everybody for your time >> and they can find that on the promising futures website I suspect. >> Yes
028they can. You can go online to contribute to promising futures. Thank you. >> Any other comments? All those in favor? >> I. >> Okay. Approval of the consent agenda passes. Next, we will move on to the reports of the superintendent. >> So, we do uh have two reports this evening. Uh the first of which will be the balanced assessment team report. And this is truly uh responding to part of that uh process of looking at all the assessments that we utilize in the Sou Falls School District to see what is needed is what is not. It's been something that's been requested uh repeatedly through each of the groups, administrative, our teachers group um and to be able to go through and look at those. So, Dr. Zeke has led the call on that and he
029will give that report for us this evening. >> Sounds good. Thank you, Dr. Null. Welcome. Uh good evening board. I thought I'd have a room full of people who'd love to take the assessments, but evidently just a few remain. So, we'll uh we'll get started with it. I know we have an event after the board meeting, so I'll be quick, but I'll also be thorough. So, just uh I'll entertain any questions afterwards. I am going to talk to you about our balanced assessment system review that we had had. And the purpose of our review was to look at our assessment system over the course of the school year all the way up from g grades kindergarten all the way up through grade 12. The first thing that we did was we were we were getting
030uh we got together with a a a company that came to provide us a summit. It was a two-day summit. We got 35 participants together in one of our five modules. We first built background knowledge. Then we aligned our curriculum. We looked at that and how assessments connect to who needs that information. What is the purpose from a bell ringer? Well, that obviously is going to be for the student and the teacher all the way up to district assessments, maybe benchmarks where we can use that at the district level. We also looked at uh a full inventory of our needs. What we we sifted through and and and accounted for all of the assessments and not only the assessments, but how many minutes it took each assessment at particular grade levels. And then we analyze
031those to find gaps and to see where there were redundancies or some misalignments. And uh to note that was sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Education and they had participants there as they were watching our two facilitators help us work through so that they could bring that to other districts in the state. The team of 35 participants then broke it down into sec. They really analyzed second, fourth, sixth, and tth grade. We didn't have time to go through every single grade, but then we extrapolated after that. These are the recommendations by grade level and you can see it was everything from eliminating some things to tweaking some things and then even adding adding in some assessments where there might have been gaps. Now, these were the initial recommendations. So, these were carried through into
032the balanced assessment systems team that looked at and analyzed and finally made the final recommendations. So, here is that group. It was 42 members of a diverse group uh all levels sped e Spanish immersion curriculum coordinators myself uh Mr. Eert with the SFA and we had three sessions. The first one we looked at and we shared we learned about assessments. We got our emotions out what we thought about them maybe what were the headaches that we had experienced when taking assessments and also our likes. What we liked about assessments. In the second one, we really analyzed those recommendations from that two-day summit. And from there, then on the third session, we broke that down and we made some considerations and recommendations to move forward. And the the balanced assessment system team has two purposes. One,
033the first purpose is to make those recommendations. And the second one, which I'm going to talk to you about in a little bit, it takes place next year and has already started, but we're looking to develop some tools for buildings. These are the recommendations for elementary and middle school. Elementary is on the lefthand column and middle school's on the right hand column. We looked at eliminating K2 investigation math quizzes. There were just too many in between the tests that they took. uh that that was just clogging up the system because what you want is a balance somewhere between just teaching all the time and no assessing and then assessing all the time breaks down to not very much teaching. So somewhere in there lies a sweet spot and that's what we tried to do with
034the third through fifth grade spring map reading and math map assessment. We took that out. We feel that we had a fall and a winter and then in grades three through five we have the the South Dakota assessment which would uh the Smarter Balanced would would be redundant with a winter or with a spring map. So we reduced the spring map or we eliminated and then we reduced some more math quizzes for grades three through five. And then in the elementary we added K5 writing rubrics which reading starts next year in our study. So, we'll be developing those as we go. In middle school, same as three through five with the spring reading and math map, we eliminated that spring map for those grades. And then we modified common summitive assessments. We found that the
035common summit of assessments that they took uh maybe took two or more days. So, we've got it down to where they can take it in one 48 minute class period. In high school, uh we didn't really have any reductions. They have semester tests, but they found a gap. And the gap was how are students doing midway through the year. So, as we go through our curriculum studies, we'll be adding a midpoint check for those students so we can find out as teachers and as students kind of where are we at? Where am I at as a as a student? And we'll continue to improve the semester tests as we go through each one of the curriculum studies. We just finished with social studies. We have math that's in the second year next year. and we'll
036be beginning the ELA study. So, that was the first phase of the balanced assessment system team. Phase two is monthly meetings throughout the year, maybe even a little more frequent, but we're going to build that shared understanding and that consistent message for buildings, something that they can use. will develop common vocabulary and we'll also develop a rubric uh broken down into domains so that buildings can identify where they're at and have tools to help support them. Yeah, this will just help with their continuous improvement as we uh work through all of our buildings. And in summary, so we had the comprehensive review with the 35 member summit over those two days. They made recommendations. They tossed those over to the balanced assessment system team. In phase one, we met three times and made final recommendations.
037Really, what we wanted was fewer, better assessments that eliminated redundancy and protected instructional time, which is very important. We don't want to over test and sometimes you're just getting that test fatigue. And then next year, we'll be looking at phase two where we'll develop common voca vocabulary and a building level rubric to help support in our buildings. So for the board action, I I'd like you to acknowledge the balanced assessment system team review report. >> Okay. Stand by for questions. >> Thank you. Can I get a motion to acknowledge the bal balanced assessment team report? >> So second >> discussion. Um, I I remember I was read I read something about maybe it was just one of the recommendations about moving the fall map testing a little further into the year to um just help
038kids kind of get used to the routine of school before they go into that f first testing. Is that still going to >> Yeah, there's still discussion about when are the timing of the fall and the winter. Okay. Okay, >> like for the for instance the fall we give it try to give it right away to say what where does that look but maybe we need to build in routines so we'll be adjusting that each map test has a window of time that we can give it we can't give it before can't give it after otherwise it ruins all the data on the national level >> and then for the winter one do we push that back just a little bit so we can maybe kind of a nice intermediary between the the middle of
039the year and the end of the year >> no I think this is really really great work and I'm um I don't know I'm excited for all this to be implemented. I think it's something that you know has been talked about for a long time and parents talk about you know people talk about um testing and all the testing and is it really necessary? So, and you know, being able to say, "Yeah, we looked at it and we eliminated redundancies and we adjusted things and and and we are putting it through this continuous improvement process." I think that's so important because you you learn as you go. Um, you can adjust to just how things are are happening in our schools. And then also to have that being implemented in a balanced way throughout the
040district um I think is really important as well so you don't have one school doing one thing and another doing doing it a different way. So um yeah this is this is great work and I'm really excited to see uh the results and you know what what things look like. >> Thank you. I'd say that the team worked really hard uh throughout the year and we'll continue to work hard that we'll probably never reach perfection but we'll continue like a plan do study act will constantly be studying it making tweaks for years and years and years. >> Yeah. >> You know anytime we can recoup instructional time versus testing time is a big win. Big win for our students. Big win for our staff. Secondly, they often say, you know, the nebulous they often say
041that you judge a health of an organization by its willingness to cast a critical eye on itself and to do its own evaluation of their processes and and the things that we do. That's one thing I've always been proud of about the Sou Falls School District is we're never satisfied with good enough and we're always looking at how can we do things better for our students, how can we do things better for our staff, how can we do things better for our community and and that's one thing I'm very very proud of. So, thank you for your work on this. Thank you for listening to teachers and and parents and our community and this is great. Yeah, Kale, I just want to piggy back off what you said because I think that's so true. It's
042not just that, you know, we don't settle for just good enough, but also we're open to new ideas and we don't just say, well, that's just how we've always done it or, you know, that's just what we're used to. Um, I really have that has been impressed upon me in this last not even a year of being on the school board, just how um just how open the district is to improving and and just continuously improving and understanding that nothing's ever going to be perfect, but we just continue to make the best decisions with the information that we have at the time and and keep learning and growing from that. asking from my sixth grader currently. When does the this elimination of testing go into play? >> Not till next year. >> Next year. So,
043some buildings wanted to pilot it. >> We have answered that often and said no, not until next year. Uh things are set this year and so it'll stay in place this year. Uh so, yes, we've been asked that. I did weigh in on that and it does not start till next year. >> Yeah, she's going to be a little upset, but we'll get over it. that was it's something that I mean even when I was first campaigning that was discussed a lot just how much instructional time gets pulled away because of all the additional testing that we have. So when I heard you guys were starting this up and you pulled in all the right people you got everybody on board again it just shows how locally we can handle and and move forward the
044right initiatives to keep our people what you know give them what they deserve to have that instructional time back and I know our kids are going to love that. So, yay for them. >> Well, just share with your daughter. It's a celebration of knowledge. >> Sure. Maybe you can deliver that to her. Oh. >> All right. Any other discussion? Okay. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> None opposed. Thank you, Dr. Zeke. All right. Next, Dr. Nol. >> Yep. Thank you, Dr. Zeke. And I'll just add to that it's a good process that Dr. Zeke led the group through to to be able to analyze each of those and we'll continue to I know he said that the phase two goes next year. Uh we'll continue to look at those as they go
045through their curriculum studies. So it's been a great process. Uh the next uh report that we do have is a negotiations update report and uh before uh Miss Dorman gives that report I will just say that with the four groups and she'll go through the the information with the four groups. It was a great process. I I truly mean that. Uh you can rarely um sometimes hear people say negotiations was enjoyable or a good process. I will say it was uh it was absolutely great to work with the individuals that were there. I know we have some that that show up here at each of the board meetings from our custodial group. Um but I will tell you that each one of them were very professional. uh and the process of going through to make
046sure we could do what we could for our employees uh to help them to stay and be our employees here and and the give and take on that was very professional and well done. So, we appreciated that, >> Miss Dorman. >> Thank you, Dr. Nolan. Uh yes, this evening I'm going to provide you an overview um from negotiations with uh our four groups, child nutrition, clerical custodians, and then our custodial managers. On the slide, I also included the number of staff that these groups represent within our district, just so you kind of have an idea of that. Um, these discussions were the first full negotiations since July of 2018. Originally, the agreements were set to expire in June of 23, but we had a memorandum of understanding in the fall of 21, which provided an
0478% pay increase to these staff. and then extended the contracts through uh 2026. So after as you can imagine after about eight years under the same agreements um both the district and our employee groups were excited to come to the table. Um each side that the district and the employee groups um had six individuals negotiating on each side and that's dictated by the collective bargaining agreements. Um both sides exchanged their proposals early in the discussions which allowed us time to clearly understand priorities, areas of concern and then of course opportunities for alignment. Um from there conversations were collaborative in nature as Dr. Nold stated um and we saw that rather than remaining in our fixed positions, both parties um worked thoroughly to think through each proposal um by asking questions, offering alternatives and then identifying
048solutions um that really balanced employee needs with operational realities. Um what stood out across all four of the groups was just that mutual understanding of the broader context in which we are operating. Um there was a recognition of the importance of providing um competitive comp uh compensation and supportive working conditions to our employees. Alongside the awareness of the district's responsibility of being good stewards of public resources and to maintain efficient, consistent operations across all schools and departments. Um the results of negotiations I believe were um negotiate agreements that really reflect balance um where we were able to support employees in very meaningful ways. And the next several slides I have just um in kind of a summary or a synopsis of the items that we covered in negotiations. Um and then also listed by topic
049so you know kind of what came to the table and what people were concerned about. Um our first one is our child nutrition staff and we addressed things like how to utilize our sick leave. Um we provided some increases to family and illness leave up to 10 days. Um and then also um provided a a greater amount of a retirement stipen that eligible employees are able to utilize from their sickly that they have at the end of their employment with us. We increased their uniform allowance and then solidified some things in the calendar when it comes to uh inclement weather days and remote learning. And then as well as carving out specific time for the um child nutrition local 304A to speak to our new employees at the beginning of the year. Uh both sides
050agreed that it was a good idea to come together and take a look at the evaluation system we're currently using. Um both sides agreed to a five-year contract with both language and compensation in five years. And then all groups agreed to the compensation that would match what was offered to the teachers with the clerical under the paid leave section was um much the same. U negotiated some of the same topics including the uh greater sick leave stipen paid at the time of retirement for qualifying employees. Um they also increased the number of people who could represent them uh at union uh in union situations or when union representation is required. We firmed up uh clerical staff work options for remote learning. Again we're going to discuss the evaluation and then we set a contract term
051um for five years for salary and two years for language and then compensation. Uh the group felt very the clerical group felt very strongly uh that their lead high school clerical needed to be placed in a different uh union. And so that went through with negotiations. And then we also um were able to uh when we bring people in give them some credit for their experience they have working uh in like positions. And then also we're going to match the compensation uh increase for teachers in the clerical group. Our custodians also had leave as one of the top areas um where we uh talked what how we can utilize sick leave. We increased the amount that uh sick leave stipen that retiring retiring employees can receive. Um, and then we also created an unpaid leave
052provision that would benefit both the employee and the district. Uh, we we discussed uniforms uh as well as when we needed to wear them and when uh we could not wear them because we had school spirit days. We increased the amount that we are paying uh the district pays for uh slip resistant shoes and then also uh discussed at the end of someone's employment returning their uniforms. We discussed working conditions for ro roving custodians that sometimes find themselves working a split shift. And we also worked in um additional break times and combining breaks for efficiencies and then also a a transfer provision that worked well for both the employees and the union. Um evaluation uh most of our evaluation discussions dealt with our incoming custodians and how we can uh make that process better for
053them and for the administration that has to evaluate incoming custodians. Oh, there we go. Um, and and union activities. We created access and parameters um so that our unions can our union can uh do business with employees during their break time. Um, and then also that they get some advanced notice of hires so that they can meet with employees. um we increase the time that they're able to meet for union activities including um their meetings that they hold during the school year. The contract term five years for salary and two years for um language and then multiple compensation items that um outlined uh what happens when you transfer and what salary step you land on. And then as far as getting time and a half for called in for special events or weather emergencies, um
054we established a stipend so that our uh some particular group of custodians uh receive a stipen for the leadership work that they do in their building. Um and then also agreed upon the the same increase as teachers receive annually. uh with our custodial managers. A lot of their language looked like the custodial ma uh language that we negotiated um in terms of leave and uniforms and then also working conditions as well. The contract term for our custodial managers uh will be five years for both salary and language. Um in the in the compensation area, um we created some new language to ensure that when someone gets a promotion that the salary is commensurate with the new responsibilities that they're taking on. Um and then uh this group also um advocated for a small group of
055their employees that would receive a increase in steps to match the new language that we had just negotiated. So it's like allowing them to have it retroactive. So coming up in the future uh we have uh some more uh negotiating to do. Um we'll have in next spring we'll be negotiating with our specialist association and then the year after that will be teachers education support professionals and administrators as well as language only for clerical and custodians. So in summary, um I think if we asked everyone who was part of that negotiation team, um the contracts were thoughtfully updated. After eight years, there was a lot of thought put into what does staff need? Um how can we make sure that the district is able to maintain efficiencies? Um we really showed a very strong commitment
056to our working relationships and the continued success of our schools. Um, we put all of our contracts on our website and we're still updating the ones that will be effective here July 1st, but they will be up there soon, just as soon as they are signed. So, at this time, I ask the school board to acknowledge the negotiations overview and I'll stand by for questions. >> Can I get a motion to acknowledge the negotiations update report? >> So moved. Second. discussion. >> Sounds like the process went well and that I agree that it's very important first that we always take care of our students, but secondly that we take care of our staff who are responsible for those kids that we want to make sure are getting the most education that we can provide them.
057So, I am pleased that the process went smoothly and uh I thank you for the report. >> Yeah, I know there's a lot that goes into this and I'm sure eight years felt like quite some time. So, there was probably more than enough to discuss. I'm happy to see that there was some much needed updates for a lot of folks. Um I do want to give Dr. Dr. Nol a shout out cuz going around and talking to folks uh recently, it's been brought to my attention many times that even if there was something that they weren't very in love with during the process, you were more than open to talking about it and they felt comfortable going to you and any additional feedback that they needed to give you, they felt like they could. So,
058um just want to praise you for your leadership in that because again, I know this isn't easy. you and Becky have some tough decisions and conversations to have. So, I appreciate what you guys do and um I know we have more to work on for the next couple years, but um no further discussion. I'll just make one quick comment. Um uh just a shout out to the the custodians and the custodial um managers because I know that uh we take them for granted and um it sounds like they got some really good supports uh throughout this negotiation process and um I just want to recognize all that that hard work and I'm glad to see um you know that they're they're getting compensated fairly when they're called in on snow days or holidays or things
059like that because I know that that can be really disruptive to a person's life. So, um happy to see that and appreciate their hard work. >> And Tim is here. He's always here representing his group. So, thank you for always showing up and being a part of this and engaging. It's been nice to see you show up. Absolutely. Absolutely. Thank you for being here. All those in favor? >> I All right. It's been acknowledged. Thank you, Becky. All right. So we will now open the public hearing for the Spanish one course equivalency exam. Are you going to introduce it first? Sure >> or. >> So this is a renewal of a waiver that we already have with the state. This is for the Spanish one course equivalency. So students who have the skills and content
060knowledge in Spanish one have the opportunity to take a test that uh is district created. If they score 85% or higher proficiency, then they earn Spanish one credit and have the opportunity then to take more advanced Spanish classes or even other courses in their schedule. So, I'll stand by if there are any comments or questions about that waiver. So, this is an opportunity for members of the public to provide comment on this item. Is there anyone wishing to address the board at this time? Okay. See, no one wishing to address the board. The public hearing for the Spanish one course equivalency exam is now closed. >> So, there's one additional waiver. This is a waiver that we've had in the past and we're bringing back and this is a credit before grade nine for the
061career explorations. This proposed waiver um would give eth grade students the opportunity to enroll in career connections which is a high school course. It's designed to support early career awareness and inform academic planning. It provides students with opportunities to learn different skills and strengths across a broad range of career and technical education pathways. And this often helps students make more informed decisions when they're selecting courses, pathways, endorsements, and other coursework. So, I'll again stand by in case there are any questions or comments. >> Okay. We will now open the public hearing for the waiver of credit before grade nine for career academic exploration. Is there anyone wishing to address the board on this item? >> I would. >> Yeah, absolutely. Uh this is part of our efforts to expand our CTE programming in the eighth
062grade and to make sure that our students are starting to get access to some of those programs at an earlier age to to hold them and and keep them uh attentive and and tied into the school system. So we're going to pilot that at a couple of schools uh this next year and just to see how that goes. But part of getting them high school credit for that would be the process of approving this waiver. So looking to expand the CTE processes so that they can start to see some of the benefits in the earlier grades so when they get to high school it'll help them to to see uh and be encouraged by taking courses at the CTE Academy >> board. Any discussion? Both of these waivers just show again the opportunities that kids
063have in the Sou Falls School District and thank you for bringing them forward and thank you to the district and the district leadership for making these things available to our students. >> Okay, hearing no further comment, the public hearing for the waiver of the credit before grade nine for career academic exploration is now closed. All right. Um, anybody want to bring anything forward for the good of the board? >> We do need to acknowledge. Okay. Can we put it all together, Todd? Okay. Can I get a motion to acknowledge? Right. >> To approve. >> Approve. Can I get a motion to approve of the course equivalency exam for Spanish one and the waiver of credit before grade nine? >> So moved. Second. >> Any further discussion? >> Good. >> Okay. All those in favor? >>
064I >> Okay, those have been approved. Um I'm going to read something because um I'm wearing a really special shirt tonight and I wanted to share it with everybody. Uh so before we adjourn tonight, I want to take a moment to share something personal. You may notice I'm wearing a shirt that says Hawthorne Strong. This shirt um was especially meaningful um for Hawthorne as they were written in Emanuel who is a fifth grade teacher at Hawthorne in his handwriting. So where it says Hawthorne up here, this was his actual handwriting. Um he was a teacher at Hawthorne Elementary who passed away unexpectedly earlier this year. He was more than a teacher. He was someone who showed up for kids inside the classroom and outside of it, including through the neighborhood soccer program he poured himself
065into. A colleague of his said he truly believed that everything we do should be done with the kids' best interests at heart. So tonight, I want to honor his wife Rachel, their two children, and the baby they were expecting this fall. Um Rachel, if you ever hear this or see this, this board sees your family and the community is carrying you. So, with that, um, I know there is a honoring ceremony tonight, the Native American honor ceremony tonight for 8th grade and 12th grade. Um, you'll be able to find it on our YouTube page if you weren't able to make it. U, but it's a really, really special program that gives our Native American students a chance to do um, a very cultural sacred moment of getting wrapped in a star quilt, having family there
066to celebrate them, and um, it's something I've always looked forward to. So, I know we're bummed that we missed the start of it, but uh we can watch it on YouTube. Any further discussion? >> Good. Can I get a motion to adjurnn? >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I We are adjourned.