001order. Please rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance 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, welcome everybody. President Ryder is out, so you have me tonight. Let's get started with the good news report. I am not Deianne, as you can tell, but I'm filling in for Deian this evening. And we'll go through. We do have three uh good news reports, three distinct things to talk about. The first one I'll just give verbally. Uh we did conclude this last weekend the spring season for our athletics. And with the conclusion of that, it was great to see that we had three of the four teams that were in the final four for softball
002with the Sou Falls School District being Lincoln and Washington and Jefferson. And in the championship game, it was Washington and Jefferson. And Jefferson did win the state championship with girls softball. So that was a a great celebration there, a great turnout uh for that event. And thank goodness the win did not come until Sunday. uh that would have maybe changed things drastically as far as their ability to play. But it was a great tournament and a great turnout out there. It was held at Augustana College at their diamond there. And so that was one thing to celebrate. The second thing with the conclusion of the spring athletics was also with Lincoln High School. Lincoln High School in the state track meet uh did win the boys competition with the team title by a half a
003point over Brandon Valley. and the girls uh much more clearly and distinctly won the girls competition uh for the state track meet. So Lincoln High School did sweep both the boys and the girls state championship for track which is incredible. So we still have a little bit to finish up with speech and debate. Their finals and in national competition will be coming up here uh in the next month as they go off to nationals. So we wish them good luck as well. But that is the conclusion of the spring sports tonight. We do have two other uh presentations for you. Uh just because we're in the summer does not mean that we do not have things going on at the high schools. There's a lot of individuals that are in there for activities uh getting
004ready and prepared for the next school year. Drum lines, uh the drums or I'm sorry, the the band is in there consistently throughout the entire summer along with our coral group, especially show choir and some of those different ones. But one other group that's in there for academic purposes and to get ready for their high school is our summer connections. And that is what we call that incoming class that is offered to our freshmen to help them to be prepared for high school. And tonight we do have one of those directors, uh, Dr. Todd Novak here with us who represents Jefferson High School and the programming that they have there. And he's going to give you a little bit of an insight of what they do with summer connections in preparing those students for high
005school. Dr. Novak, good evening. Good to be here with you today. So, I'm here to report the good news about the work with freshmen as we transition them into our four high schools. Connections was started in the late 90s as a remedial program. It meant 20 days, 20 half days during the summer to strengthen math and reading. In 2009, a team at Washington High School folded that in half and created a 10-day program that still allowed students to earn a half credit. However, we changed the emphasis from a remedial program to a transitional program. We felt that we could communicate our culture in 10 days with the help of upperassmen who served as mentors of our freshmen. Today, all four high schools have a connections program. The goal in each building is the same, to
006prepare students for the first day of high school. There are 462 students that are enrolled in connections this summer or about 25% of the class of 2029. Uh the cost to families is $100. We provide scholarships to any family who applies and the program is nearly costneutral to buildings. I believe the connections attends to the entry level fears of high school. Freshmen receive and walk their schedules. They have a positive first experience in the building. They test drive their behaviors in the new environment. And this experience allows them to think about other things on the first day of school. And I believe that for some, it is a small head start on being a leader for their class. In January of this year, I surveyed 74 of the students that attended Connections last year, and
007I asked them a couple questions. 55% of them agreed or strongly agreed the connections was a great way to spend their summer. 58% of students agreed or strongly agreed with this statement. I have good friends that I met for the first time at connections. So almost 60% of students that attended met somebody new and they count that person a good friend in January of that following year. and also aspiring leaders. Over half of the those that attended connections said they would like to lead connections after their freshman year and we think that that is significant. I also believe that the results like these are happening all over the district. The four connections teachers have come together to create a common registration form for all of our middle school students. All middle school personnel can view
008this document. It allows parents to go to one location to register their freshmen regardless of their home attendance area or open enrollment status. We can also very easily transfer students and funds to other buildings as the needs of our families change. It is a collaborative tool that is very beneficial to all. Overall, I believe Connections is providing leadership opportunities for freshmen and upper classmen alike. It is cost-effective, highly experiential, and the most fun I have all year. The good news is that all four buildings are united in our effort to provide a successful start to high school. Connections is a big part if not only for those who attend, but because connection students are now better positioned to lead and serve their friends as we all start high school together. Thank you very much. Todd,
009do you have an event coming up later this month that involves connections? Is there a conference? I I do have a conference. Talk a little bit about that. I think that's a big deal. So, uh we're doing a a national conference on the 25th and 26th uh at Jefferson High School. Uh a colleague of mine out of Virginia. Um we transition we work with schools transition. So we have about right now we have 36 people coming from Kentucky to South Carolina to West Fargo uh to Ceseten to Junction City, Kansas. Um and we're going to spend two days talking about what it means to transition students both to learn from each other and uh also to just talk about the great things that the Sou Falls School District is doing. So we're pretty excited about
010that. Do you guys have anything for I had the privilege of watching the starter up a long time ago at Washington Heights. It was a great program. We had a lot of kids involved. It's it's a unique program and a lot of kids find themselves there. So, I can tell you it's a good deal. Thank you. Yeah. Similarly, my um eldest who's going into her senior year in our home, she is going to be a peer mentor for the Washington ones and I believe she did it when she was a freshman and it was a really good transitional thing for her and as you noted 50% of your students are wanting to come back. So that's just building future leaders and it is a great opportunity for them to get comfortable where they are know
011that they have support be able to lean on each other and I think it just builds a healthy culture from the beginning and it just starts them off on the right foot. So this is I bet this is one of your highlights of the year. So have a blast. Have fun. Do you do water balloon fights or do you get in the midst of that? Pardon me. Do you guys still do the water toss stuff? Are you in the middle of that? We do a lot of craziness. We do. The water tossing thing was something that we put together for COVID because we've had to keep six people six people apart apart and uh and be able to do that. And so we have a lot of crazy things with a lot of scavenger hunts
012and activities that we do. That's so fun. Yeah. Well, enjoy. Wonderful. Thank you very much. And I agree with uh board member MR that that seeing that firsthand and the excitement of those kids being involved in the connections program is incredible. uh and just to help some of those kids that have that some of the intimidation or the threat of going to a high school and a large high school. It truly breaks it down into the groups and and even on some of the days you could identify those kids as they're walking through the hallways when we have uh most of our student body back in to to get their IDs and their schedules and things like that. And those students are walking through the hallways and and doing unique different things and it's all
013part of the connections process and and they love it. So, it is a great way for those kids to be able to get engaged and and know what they're getting into coming into the high school setting. And Dr. Novak does an incredible incredible job with that. So, we thank him for that. The third part of our good news is is truly a lot of times we think about K12 education and and kindergarten through going all the way through obviously the high school and that senior year, but we have a whole distinct team with the Sou Falls School District that works hard well before a child is even into the kindergarten grade level. and they're working with that birth to three to identify students that may need some of that additional help and support to make
014sure that they get that well before they come to our school setting. And so the district's birth to three program is really working with those families. And Elizabeth Jane Gary is here with us today and she's going to talk a little bit about the early childhood program. Thank you for that introduction. So I am grateful for the opportunity to highlight the important work that the Sou Falls School District's birth to three program does provide to uh our students. While education just as uh Dr. Nold had mentioned often gains attention beginning in kindergarten and then through the um K12 lens and then often into post-secary uh there are critical years um before school enrollment and they can have a profound impact on a child's long-term success. So through the partnerships with families, our birthto3 program provides
015services that are personalized, research-based, and grounded in respect for each child's unique journey. These services can include speech language support, occupational therapy, physical therapy, cognitive development strategies, and more importantly, coaching for the parents because they are truly the child's first and last teacher. Our BERT3 professionals work closely with families, building trusting relationships and providing encouragement during what can often be a very emotional um and uncertain time for some of our families. We believe that parents and caregivers again are the child's first and most important teachers. And by empowering them early, we give children the best t best chance to reach their full potential. Our proactive approach and our team-based approach truly changes lives. So today we want to share with you one family's experience. And I do have to say I have to thank Carly
016and Tori because they have been instrumental in helping us create some of this marketing and promotional material that we've been working on for our birth through five program. Should we get big ones or little ones ready? Learning doesn't wait. It begins the moment a child is born. If you have concerns about your child's development, you're not alone. And you don't have to navigate it alone either. Birth to three is a free family focused inhome program for children from birth to age three with developmental delays. Through hands-on support and coaching, families learn how to meet their child's unique needs and celebrate every milestone along the way. Early childhood has been beyond helpful. They've kind of continued the process of meeting her needs with PT and speech. We were working towards her being able to get onto
017a bus. So, that was one of her goals because when she went to early childhood, she needed to be able to step onto the bus by herself without any help. Um, and they were great at facilitating that. Um, and she now has gotten practically rid of her walker and is very independent. If a child qualifies, the family works with their birth to three team to create an individualized family service plan or parents, caregivers, and even childare providers are active participants in every session, every step. Services may include special instruction, speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and other supports, all based on your child's specific needs. Your early intervention team may include a service coordinator, a special instructor, educator, speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, or a physical therapist. All working together with you in your home
018at no cost. Children graduate from the program when their goals are met or by their third birthday. I sing these guys' praises. They have helped my daughter, all of my kids immensely. I couldn't imagine like doing this without them. They're invaluable. Like beyond invaluable. They are the best people that I know. Birth to three. Helping children grow. Helping families thrive. [Music] questions. Thank you for the opportunity. Yeah. I'm just curious. So, it said referral based. So, how would a family go about if they really wanted to see Yep. their child go through it. Walk us through what that looks like. Yep. So, a referral can come in a number of ways. A family can contact us on their own. oftentimes we get it through pediatricians. Daycare providers can be referrals. So any number of way
019they can hear about it from we have families that contact us saying our neighbor down the street told us about you know birth to three or I you know my grandmother knew a family that also received birth to three. We want to learn more and we or we just want a screening to make sure that our child is on track. We don't necessarily have specific concerns for the development. We just want to make sure that we're doing everything we can as a parent. So, it's really it's really easy to go through. And then do your services um do they get transferred over to like prek kindergarten working with the district kind of cohesively to get everybody on team for that transition? Yep. So, every child has to be re-evaluated upon turning three to see if
020they will continue to receive those services if they're eligible. Yeah. How many kids did we serve last year? Last year we served just over a hundred. We t we have been um right around 130 and then the last couple years uh we have been down closer to 100 110. Right now we're right at 110. So yeah, it es and flows. Yeah. Yeah. And so we have five five teachers, uh three occupational therapists, three physical therapists, and one speech full-time speech pathologist. So yeah, they're amazing. Mhm. Anybody else? Since Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Anything else? Good, Dr. Nol. Thank you. Those are wonderful. Okay. Could I get a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 527205? Second. I have a motion and a second. All those in
021favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. same side that passes. I don't see anybody wishing to address the school on non-aggenda items or agenda items. So, next we will go to the approval of the agenda. Could I get a motion to approve tonight's agenda? So, move. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I posting sign. That passes. No conflicts of interest tonight. Um, could I get a motion to approve consent agenda 9A through F? I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Posting sign. Motion passes. Next, I have a motion to approve supplemental consent agenda 10 A. So move second. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same sign. That
022passes. Next we will go on to the reports of the superintendent. Yep. Tonight we have just a simple kind of housekeeping item that Kristen Granager will go through with us where we request a waiver from the state so that we can grant some credit. So Kristen, I'll let you uh explain that. Thank you. One of the great things about the Sufal School District are the many opportunities that we offer students to challenge themselves. And one of the ways we do that is for students to earn high school credit before grade nine. And so tonight I'm here about uh reapplying for a waiver for students to earn algebra 1, accelerated geometry, and or accelerated algebra 2 credit before grade nine. It's a waiver we've had for many years, but it's designed to support students who demonstrate
023advanced proficiency in mathematics. If uh the waiver is approved by the board and by the state, it will go into effect on July 1st and last through June 30th of 2030. part of this process is always the opportunity to allow um anyone in the public to speak. So I don't know. So uh the board chair will open a public meeting and we'll take care of it through that. Thank you. And I don't know about the rest of you, but I about choked when I read 2030. So just a little shock value with that date for everybody. Okay. At this time, I will open the public hearing for the purpose of receiving input on this fall school district's intent to reapply for a waiver from the South Dakota Department of Education. The waiver request allows district
024to grant high school credit to a limited number of middle school students who successfully complete algebra 1, accelerated geometry, and or accelerated algebra 2 prior to 9th grade. This waiver has been placed for many years and is designed to support students who demonstrate advanced proficiency in mathematics. We now invite any members of the public who wish to speak on this matter to come forward and provide their comments. Please state your name and address for the record before speaking. It's now open. Okay. Hearing none, I will now close the public hearing regarding the district's waiver application to grant high school credit for algebra 1, accelerated geometry and/or accelerated algebra 2 completed before grade nine. Any comments after? Okay. At this time, can I get a motion to acknowledge the public hearing for credit for algebra 1,
025accelerated inverte geometry, and or credit for accelerated algebra 2 before grade nine and direct the administration to pursue the waiver from the South Dakota Department of Education? So move second. I have a motion and a second and then we will move on to quick discuss discussion between us. Anybody have anything? I just have a comment that again this proves the wonderful pathways that Sou Falls School District offers all of our kids. I mean we just heard about birth to three and now we're looking at those kids that are able to take accelerated classes prior to 9th grade. And so I mean what a great job we do here in the district and my hats go off to everyone who works in all of these programs. So, thank you very much. Have some. Okay. Can I
026get a motion to approve? We did thement, but I was going to approve it. No, we already have it on the table. Can just acknowledge. Okay. Okay. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Same sign. Okay, that motion passes. Thank you. Thank you. Good job. All right. Next, we have review revise of the Sou Falls School District policies and regulations. Brett, do you have four? I do. Thank you. Uh, tonight I have 13 policies on behalf of the policy review committee. Um, this is a part of our continual review of our policies and regulations. And these are up for approval tonight on our review revise with minor revisions to the policies or their accompanying regulations. And you'll see from the list there, it's a long list, but there's no changes to the majority
027of them. I'll just go through the ones that have changes. Um, policy feed, construction plans and specifications. There's just a minor reference change and grammatical changes there. The reference change was to state law and the grammatical change was just a a repeated word in there. FE site acquisition again just a minor reference change. Um and then down to GB, the code of conduct for all school district employees. Um in there we just had some minor additions uh to clarify some things and that would be to prohib prohibit employees from using district facilities or resources for private monetary benefit. And then also just to ensure that staff are engaging with colleagues in a professional collegial manner. And then fi finally policy keb um in there there was just a minor reference change and that was to
028clarify that public concerns and complaints about personnel can be brought not only for school employees but all district employees. So we changed school to district. Um, and with that, if unless the board has any questions uh specifically regarding those changes or these policies, I'd ask for approval of the 13 policies and their regulations. Move forward motion. I move to policy. Second. Okay. I have a motion in the second for the approval for review revised for the fall school district policies and regulations. All those in favor signify by saying I. I oppose same sign. Motion passes. Anything else to come before the board? No. Okay. With that, can I get a motion to adjurnn? So move. I have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. The same sign. We
029are adjourned.