001We're live. >> Welcome. I'd like to call this February 9th Board of Education meeting to order. 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. First order of business is to approve the agenda. Approve the agenda. >> Yes. I make a motion that we approve the agenda with the addendum and then with the change of uh putting the executive session right after the discussion right before the minutes. >> Second. >> All those in favor say I. I. All >> oppose. Same sign. Uh scheduled unscheduled audience. Uh school reports and fanfare Mountain View West Elementary on boarding Spartans with Ashley Anderson. Green light's going to be
002on. >> Is that good? Good enough. >> Yep. There you go. >> Um, hi. Uh, I'm here on behalf of Mountain View Elementary and I have Miss Roxan Hardle with me as well. Um what we're going to talk to you about is the onboarding process for incoming students to our district. So starting at the kindergarten level and and kind of the steps that go into it. It's a team process. That's why I brought Roxan. She's a big part of the process. So um she'll speak a a little bit more about the the screening process, but um I'm just using this as a guide for now. This is kind of our timeline. Um just right now we're in we're starting it. So uh January February um we start the office at Mountain View Janelle our school
003secretary and I start reaching out to uh neighborhood area um community daycarees and preschools and just let them know when we're opening up our registration when we're going to have screening um and all the stuff in between. And um we have several transition meetings between um the different preschools uh the bigger ones in the community that have always wanted to partner with us um just to help that transition when it comes time for them to enter our schools. Um so in the past we've had just a dedicated meeting in uh February. This year we are having multiple meetings with individual preschools and um just discussing maybe considerations for placement and things like that. And this is our letter that we send out to those neighborhoods. I'm not going to read it, but that's just kind
004of an overview. We can give the timeline. We um give some resources. Um we ask if it's a good what's the best way to contact them. um ways to get out our registration information. Generally, just an email flyer is fine for them. They that's what they get to their their parents. This is our registration flyer. You might have seen it on Facebook. We did get that posted. Um all of the the daycarees have taken it and passed it out to their their families as well. Um we're live with registration. They're already rolling in, so we're excited about that. Uh this year we're doing something a little bit different with um inviting parents into our building. So we're going to have a resource fair in April. It's April 9th from 5 to 7:00 p.m. And we're
005partnering with area uh organizations and businesses. And this is going to be the first chance for families to sign up for screening, which screening is in May. So, um we've already had se several places want to come and provide an activity for these families that are coming into our building. So, we will have um examples of the the the library, the rec center, youth and family services, Monument Health, um even some of our high school organizations that support youth. So, um it's still open. If people if you know people that would want to partner for that, you can let us know and we'll have a place. It's not for profofit, so families that come in, they can just see all the resources that are available in the community. Um, and also sign up for screening.
006We do preschool tours in April and then screening is in May. So, like I said, we'll have the signups for screening starting in April. Um, we'll have all of the families that have registered. we have their contact information so we will be able to shoot that out if they don't get to the resource fair we can shoot that information out to them to where they can sign up um for a screening slot in May and I'm going to let Roxan talk about the screening process all right so um like Ashley mentioned we started our registration um in February and that big thing is to get them on campus we want them to register on campus first so we know who's coming and then also have other information to shoot out information as we get going
007like the resource fair and then be able to get in contact with them if they don't make it to be able to sign up for screening times in May. Um and let's see um something that we started last year um with our kindergarten screening is also offering early childhood um special education testing where families can come in if they have concerns with children from what is it three to three to three to five and um they can get those in too to help also with that process. So we can try to identify um any other concerns with children before they get to kindergarten. Um the day of screening is pretty awesome for us. Um what we do is we have four times during the day that we screen. It takes about 60 minutes to do
008the screening and within that screening we get to see the children and we get to use the dial for which we test their motor skills, their language skills and concepts which also gives us a snapshot of what we are having come to kindergarten and it helps with their placement. And then at the time we also have parents or guardians fill out surveys which also gives us another view of their child um so we know what's coming. Um we do offer it for two and a half days um within that and then what we also do on that day is we invite community resources like birth to three to come kids club and then South Dakota's statewide family engagement center and they get to come and provide um information for parents as they're sitting there waiting
009for their child to be screened. So we also have a signing booth at screening. So once they've completed their um their screening, they can um sign up to be a Spartan. Um from the screening, we use um the information for our placement of students. Um the last four years we've had our junior kindergarten program. And junior kindergarten is for kindergarten age students. um primarily targeted at younger five-year-olds, so our summer birthdays that maybe just need a little extra boost. Um the age is is a pretty good indicator of the program. Um we have parents that have been requesting it as well. Um we also look at our dial screening information and the readiness piece of it. So um some of our students that maybe aren't as ready, they're kind of higher up on our our
010target list. Um the junior kindergarten has made a huge difference um in our kindergarten classrooms. So we've been very grateful for that program. Um it is a smaller class size. Um they are focusing on just learning how to be in school and um they they follow the same schedule as our kindergarteners um but just maybe a little bit slower pace on learning um the routines and things. Um I I can speak to it. It's a it makes a huge difference. those kids that are in junior kindergarten, the next year they are leaders in our school and I really think it helps the other kindergarteners as well. So, we've been very excited about that program. This is just some feedback that I've um gained from the junior kindergarten. Um I've just done a little parent survey,
011short survey the last couple of years. Um and parents are the parents that have experienced it are very much a proponent of it. So, um, and you may know some in the community, and I hope that they're speaking, um, favorably for it. And then, in the past, I've done um a parent information meeting that's taken place in April, and that's just to bring the families that are registered in to address any questions they might have. um this year because we're doing the resource fair in April and getting those families in the building. Um I'm actually looking at doing a podcast to address those questions. Um just things that come up. We're going to have a little Q&A booth at the resource fair. So questions that families might have. Um just talking about attendance, the importance
012of attendance, um you know, buses, uh just the different programs that we have. um kindergarten readiness, ways to help them prepare, things that we've talked about at at the parent meeting. So, I'm going to try to condense it in a short little podcast to get out to all those families. Um I thought that might be a a different way to to address the questions that they have. So, we'll to be continued on that. Um and then after we've placed our kids, we do that in June. We place all the kindergarten kids. Um we have what's called a jump start program and that is um through title funding and that is two weeks before school starts. It's a half day and it's it's targeted at students who maybe are a little more nervous about school or
013maybe they're new to our community or maybe their parents just think they need a a boost. It is we take parent if they say they want it, we we let them in. Um, and we have two teachers that that do it and those kids really are feeling pretty prepared um after they they go through the jump start program. So, and it is free to the families and things like that. So, and that's all I have. It's a lot. There's a lot that goes into it and um I wouldn't be able to do it without my team. So, um do you guys have any questions? >> I would think you could probably You should put it on the Facebook page, too. Be veryful. >> That's great. >> Oh, thank you for the detailed presentation. It's awesome.
014>> Thank you very much. >> Uh, moving on with the agenda. Um, there's no conflict of interest waiverss. >> Nope. Uh we'll move intoformational items with the superintendent update. >> Yep. For those that uh were not aware, uh next week is schoolboard recognition week, but since we don't have a schoolboard meeting next week, we always do it at this school board meeting a week earlier. So, uh it is school board recognition week. I'd like to thank the board for all your time and dedication and uh that you put in not only at the meetings behind the scenes uh for uh the school district and our students. I'd also like to read a quick proclamation or at least seems quick proclamation by the governor. Uh so this is comes from governor uh Larry Rhoden. Whereas the
015education of our public school children is vital to our state's prosperity and to opening the doors of opportunity for every citizen. hand. Whereas the 845 men and women serving on public school boards are dedicated local leaders who devote many hours of community service to provide a responsive and transformative public education system to maximize South Dakota's investment in public education. And whereas the local public school board believes all children can learn and are committed to improvement, excellence, and progress in public education. And whereas the local school board devotes great time and effort to planning curriculum, policy, activities, and programs to that enhance the experience of and the environment for all students as well as staff and also best suit their communities. And whereas the members of the local uh public school boards build stronger relationships within
016their communities to ensure the success of their school district. And whereas we encourage local public school districts and their community leaders to recognize their dedicated public school board members. Now therefore, I, Larry Rhoden, governor of the state of South Dakota, do by here pro uh proclaim February 16th, 2026 as uh South Dakota School Board Recognition Week. So, thank you. Moving on, uh our RFPs, we had five architectural firms that uh turned in requests for proposals uh for however we proceed at West Elementary. Uh we need to weed through those and come down to one recommendation for the full board. Uh just checking if our two facility committee members kind of makes sense for you guys to serve on that. But if you don't have time, if somebody else would like to do that, I'm recommending
017I put in the RFP. It' be the week of February 16th, I'm recommending next Wednesday in the afternoon of February 18th. We'd start at 1:00. We'd have a half hour of interviews with them, 15 minutes transition. So every 45 minutes, we would have a new firm that would come in and talk about their proposal. I will come up with uh interview questions as well as a rubric to score them uh for us to go through uh to have that. So just checking to see. We'd start at 1:00. Our last one would start at four o'clock. >> That works for me. >> Works for me. >> Okay. If something changes, I guess reach out to other board members to see if they'd be willing to. >> So starting at one >> starting at one, we'll do
018it right in here. >> Okay. Uh, next thing is uh communication plan. I sent that out to you. There's that last portion that has to do with the school board. Uh, look through that, see if things are doable. There's some new stuff like a town hall meetings. Uh, sending out an email of our top three things that we do in a in a school board meeting uh to give a little bit more detail on that. I guess I would look towards a board member to maybe uh volunteer to to put that out and then the town hall if there's somebody willing to do that. If that's not something that you want in the plan, maybe right now I just I guess I just need to hear that so I can amend the plan. But those
019are some ideas based on other uh district communication plans that uh came up with. So just you can provide feedback directly to me uh via email. Last thing I'm just a very quick story. In a prior uh prior district, I had never been in kindergarten screenings or been around them. I didn't know what they really did. So, I had a teacher that had a son that was going through it, and I asked the mom if I could sit in there. So, very, very bright young man. It didn't take long to establish that he knew what he was talking about. But they never asked him about the letter Q or um a rectangle. So, I just, hey, do you mind if I ask him a question? I said, do you know what this letter is? And
020it was an upper letter Q. And he goes, yeah, that's a capital Q. And I said, what about this? And he goes, well, this is a rectangle. I said, okay, that's good enough. Well, the next day the teacher comes down. She goes, "I don't know what you did or said in that screen with my son, but he thinks you're an idiot." He goes, "That guy didn't know what a Q was or what a rectangle was." >> Now I know what a kindergarten screen is. >> It's a good story. >> Um, >> going on to action items. Uh with action item A is to approve the transfer of $20,475.18 from the local teammates account to the national teammates organization to support the continuation and administration of the program and approve closure of existing account. I can
021get a motion. >> Move to approve. >> Second it. >> Any discussion? I just say the national teammates organization wants to see all local funding to fall under their umbrella, but our local board still has uh expenditure rights uh or say and how that money is expended. So it just falls under a different under their national account rather than ours. All those in favor say I. I. All >> oppose same sign. Uh, next one is to approve the addendum to West River Foundation agreement. I get a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve it. >> Seconded. >> Any discussion? The addendum is we're making a right of first refusal for staff. So, the staff have the a right to uh to have a first uh first shot at the CTE house. And all it
022does is it lays out the procedure for that. So, >> all those in favor say I. >> I. I >> oppose same sign. And uh action item C is to approve special board uh special board meeting uh for Wednesday, February 25th at 5:30 p.m. >> Make a motion to approve it. >> Second. >> Any discussion? >> Just the meeting to select candidates for interviews. >> All those in favor say I. >> I. Same sign. And we'll move to action item D is to consider the resignation and liquidated damages uh Corbin Peterson, special education counselor effective uh February 20th, 2026. I get a motion. >> Move to approve. >> Seconded. >> Discussion. >> Yeah. First of all, it's not on the consent agenda because there is liquidated damages tied to this breaking a contract before the
023end of the school year. Uh so that's why it's on its own action item. Uh liquidated damages for this time frame of uh resignation is $2,000. Uh Mr. Peterson uh again he is our special ed counselor. Uh an important position, but it's not like a classroom where you're leaving a class and you have to back fill it per se. Uh and I will say that uh this has been a very very difficult decision for him. uh it's financialbased and so seeing how it's financial based to move on to another role and and uh break his contract with with us if you will uh I would recommend waving the uh the liquidated damages. So >> So do we need to amend the motion to speak to that? >> Yes, please. I would I would amend the
024motion to uh accept Corbin Peterson's resignation and we wave the liquidated damages. >> Thank you. >> I'll second that. >> All right. >> Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Same sign. Okay. Uh, moving on to the consent agenda and we can do one motion to approve everything or if you would like to pull something off and look at it individually, you can as well. So, I would take a motion. >> I'll move to approve. >> Second. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. Post same sign. I I'll just mention that there's uh some in there that fit within the uh incentive for notice of early of retirement. Um so we will be sending a agreements out to those staff tomorrow that has
025the lists the number of years multiplied times $150 and so that will be payable in at the February payroll. Right. Uh moving on to discussion items. First one is a recommended technology purchases for 2627 school year. All right. Good evening. Um, you should have a tech budget uh summary and hopefully you have a network map attached this time. I give you a little something to look at that you don't usually get to look at and then the total uh budget. I'm just going to kind of hit uh walk you through the tech uh technology budget request for the 2026 2027 year. Um stop me if you have any questions. Um the very top is uh the student device refresh which is uh our three-year rotation for iPads at level K through two level. Uh it's
026175 iPads with protective cases. Um the current iPads that we have, we keep those for six years. So those current ones that are in the carts will get moved down into the classrooms. Okay. um the wireless infrastructure. That's kind of why I gave you guys that um network map just to give you an idea um what I'm talking about here. So, we got I think there's 20 uh um switches on that on that map and it kind of shows you which ones we're replacing um as like to replace them all, but we don't have enough funds to do that. But I um hopefully we'll do that in the next coming years to get the rest of these switches which I think are a dozen left here. Um the reason we need to upgrade um looking
027into the access points which I'll talked about in a little bit those require more uh power over Ethernet we call PoE and they will um demand more the Wi-Fi will be more uh robust which requires uh more power as well. So looking at that and looking at our switches being 10 years old right now, uh I thought it was a good time to upgrade those switches to prepare us for the future and to support these current access points that um we're going to um hopefully purchase for the high school middle school. Uh the other thing that will benefit is that these switches um obviously they're going to be newer, have some more little smart technology. Um they have uh um bandwidth uh detection on it that if you if the actual networking the cabling and
028your setup u will allow higher bandwidth, it will provide that. So it'll provide from 1 gig to 2.5 to 5 to 10 gig depending on what you have. So um in the future if we need 10 gig we could run uh cat 6 or fiber to the access points u but hopefully uh right now the access points um with cat 5e um we could only provide one gig. I'm hoping with our current 5e cabling when we at least get 2.5 gig out of those. So that should improve the improve the bandwidth um with these switches as well. Um, obviously these switches have gone up in price since last time I bought them, but the technology has gotten better as well. Um, but thankful we have -ate funding which does uh provide 50% of our uh
029cost. Any questions on the network map or what we're doing here trying to improve the network infrastructure? Does it? So, one thing that I talked to the teachers at Creekide is they like the third or fourth grade hallway I think had lots of issues like three weeks without internet or is is that going to help with that or is that just the middle school and high school and would that resolve any of those? >> Yeah, that was a um that issue in the fourth grade hall was about like four possibly five classrooms that were having that issue and over Christmas we took care of that issue. Yeah. Oh, but no, that wouldn't take care of No. >> And some of the teachers you talked about um the testing, they were having issues with testing. Would
030this help with the testing? >> Um >> they were like they the um students kept getting kicked out of the testing. They had to get back in with the internet and stuff. >> I'm not sure what >> what grade level. Creekide. >> Mountain View and >> part of it was iPads. Oh, was it the iPad? >> The iPads kept locking up. So, you >> Oh, >> yeah. The Yeah. No, this won't help with that either. But that iPad was another separate situation. Yeah. >> Yeah. But as far as bandwidth, Yes. And access points to to be honest, um hardware these days and networking are up 99.9% most of the time. So, usually not a Wi-Fi issue. Um, but there's a lot of lot of things that make internet work beyond our network that are out
031of my control. Um, so it could be routers outside of here, firewall outside of here. Most of the time when I deal with issues, it's usually with book companies on their end. Um, but yeah, so >> I appreciate you explaining that. Thank you. >> Yeah, but obviously anytime we get new hardware is I mean it should help. Yeah. >> Right. Um but the creekide issue, yeah, that was a tough one. Had no idea. I mean, access points all said everything was great and um yeah, we had a tough time with that one, but uh hopefully it has been resolved. We just had um um um NAPE. We just had Nate testing in there for how many kids? >> 100 kids. They all tested at the same time with no issues. So hopefully Yeah. Uh any
032more questions on the network infrastructure? Um well now just go back to the wireless uh the wireless access point. So those the end of life for those for the high school middle school we put those in is uh about 10 years. So uh the end of life is 2026 which means they won't get any more updates. They won't be supported anymore. So that's why we're adding those 88 wireless access points. And basically just for the what's left for the money I tried to squeeze in to get some more uh Vonic displays because we're in the process of trying to replace all the smartboards in the school district. Um and we didn't replace anything at Mountain View. So we're going to focus on uh getting nine of those displays and document cameras to replace the classrooms
033at Mountain View. And then the rest is just our annual software renewals. Um, and again, we're at just about $250,000. Any questions on any of that? >> Nope. >> Think so. >> Okay. All right. That's all I got. And again, appreciate your support and technology for the school district. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Scott. Uh, next item is first reading of the 2027 2028 school calendar. >> Yeah. So, you all get a copy of the electronic copy of the school calendar for 2728. Um, again, very similar to current and past calendars. U, we are fortunate we were able to start the last Thursday in August and end before Memorial Day. It's just where Memorial Day falls. uh should be able to do that for the next couple of years after this. So uh we start
034on the last Thursday in uh in August and we end the last Friday May 26th. The one thing that is different about this in the past we've had an inservice day at the end of the the end of the calendar after the last day with students. It has tra traditionally been used for um checkout day and things like that. So uh thinking better use of it to plug it in as a flex day. So again, somebody could do a conference, a class in uh on a Saturday in March or in November or something like that and the the administration will come up with a list of things or activities they can do to satisfy it. So when it comes to the 20th, if they put in their time working on whatever is decided on that
035list, um they won't have to be here on the 20th. Question will be is if nobody does anything, are any of the administrators going to be here on the 20th to to provide an end service? That'll be the question. But uh anyway, so that's that's just a flex in service day. Uh it might be nice to have a couple of more or at least one more in the future, but for right now, we're trying it with just one. So again, just first reading. >> Thank you. Uh next item under discussion is C the superintendent search update. >> Scott is connecting with Dr. Barker now. So >> we won't after the survey. >> Yeah. And then we'll go into executive session. Yeah. Survey. Can you see this? Do you see him? Get rid of the mute
036up there. Hello. >> Can you hear us, Dr. Barker? >> I can. Can you hear me? >> Yep. Yep. >> Yeah. I think you might have to turn the Can you turn just the camera? >> Let's make Craig stand up there and hold it. >> The board retired. >> Is that my punishment? Perfect. >> All right, >> that's good. So, Dr. Barker, we're in open session right now, just so you're aware. >> I guess we'll let you take it away with the list of items that you had sent. Uh, whatever you want to start with. >> That sounds great. Thank you. I'm gonna share my screen. Let's see. It's not showing yet, is it? >> Uh, we don't see anything. >> Scott, do we have >> Is there a setting number? Seems like we had
037this problem last time. >> Yeah, it's not allowing me to hit the share. Oh, there we go. >> Can you see that? >> Yep. Yep. Perfect. Okay. Okay. I'll go back up here. Uh what I'll start with, as you can see, just the agenda. There's a few things tonight just to talk about. It'll be fairly brief on some of that. Go through the survey summary, just a basic short summary of what we heard from the survey that we sent out. And then we'll review the interview schedule. talked about it last time, but I just want to kind of finalize things, make sure that we're all on the same page and we have things lined out there. We'll have a short discussion on interview question development, kind of talk about talk through that, how I plan
038to do that and where we're at on that discussion on interview expenses so that when candidates ask, I I have something for them and then also um possibly a short discussion on the contract. That's where we'll start with the community survey. So, this is the number of respondents that we had broken down by the u the areas that they selected when they took the survey. See a total of 200 broken down by the different category. And I'll just leave that up there for a second so you can see that. And notice parents, community members are separated. So, really about 98 to get together. Okay. Okay, that's a little better. So, we asked four questions. One of the things we asked about was what are the good things about the community? And again, what we're trying
039to do there is get a alignment and and help our candidates or people were recruiting to understand what they will be coming into. So, what we found uh with that was some of the good things about the community was that it was welcoming. It's a strong small town, close-knit community. People know one another and um they they're there for you in time of need. Relationships and uh building relationships, positive, collaborative, supportive. Both the public education and business and organizations were supportive of the district. Of course, outdoor activities. It's a a great uh great place to take part in outdoors. Beautiful area, natural beauty, lot of recreation, black hills, trails, different parks, and a lot of yearround activities. There was a feeling that it was a safe community. And then we asked about the good things
040about school district. What do people feel that were positives and strengths of the school district? Uh, one of the first things that came out was that there was a a sense that there's strong academic outcomes and not only for those attending college but military, CTE, trade schools and things like that. So, it was a well-rounded uh academic outcome that people in the survey felt were pretty strong. School has dedicated and caring staff. Folks commented on that. Positive leadership at both the district and building level. That was positive. That came out as well. uh people felt that there was a strong community support system not only having pride in in the school but also community supporting the school strongly. One of the good things about the school district that came out was the breadth of extracurricular
041activities not only sports but arts other activities clubs were all mentioned throughout the the survey. behind that. Okay. One of the things that came out was that there's a belief that there's an emphasis on the whole child. So, there was several that discussed having small class sizes and the perspective that that's what the school um emphasizes is a well-rounded student. Okay, third question that we ask is what is a superintendent going to have to know coming in to the district so they can get get up and running and get on their feet and understand the district to a better extent. One of the things that came up is the political pressures. Of course, that's happening in in districts across the country. Sobody all Anybody who's going into superintendency is going to understand that. But it's
042also looking at not only the the political side of the polarization that sometimes occurs, but also talking about legislative funding and some of their perspectives on on the funding of schools. So they'll have to understand that budget concerns again with the legislature sometimes tightening the strings. Many people thought that there would be concerns in on the budget and the superintendent would need to know that. There were several that mentioned increasing growth and and the uh the challenges that can come with that sometimes not only in class size but also facilities as well. communication. Um, that's that was one thing that they would need to be able to do, I think, is what would this came came out was that they had to be a strong communicator. That'll come out in the the next question as
043well, but that was something that they that came out in the survey was that that had to be an area that they were strong in. Another concern, teacher retention, burnout, those types of things, and recruiting. So, they would have to be strong in that area and and try to figure out some ways to make sure that we're able to retain our great teachers. There was some mention of the high cost of living and housing costs. So, anyone coming will have to be aware of that. There were uh some comments on a perception of of favoritism in some schools. Wasn't a lot, but that was one thing that did come up. and some of the increasing behavioral challenges that schools are facing today. And again, that's something that I think is increasing across the across different
044schools. So that is one thing that survey respondents felt that superintendent would need to know. And then some commented on a need for balance and that was uh basically trying to balance between athletics and academics between uh some of the higher uh or those that are going to college and those that aren't and trying to balance that and be able to provide opportunities for all students. some of the super some of the characteristics that people felt the superintendent needed to have to be successful. Good. Again, strong communication skills, uh, transparency, being able to listen, but being able to communicate with staff, community, businesses, organizations. There was also uh came out in the survey that the superintendent needed to be community oriented. So that is something that we had discussed earlier as well and it was
045something that um people felt that the superintendent need to be visible and community oriented. They also felt uh being a superintendent uh being a student center superintendent was important not only in really having student well-being and and academic success at the forefront of their decision making, but basing their decisions on what's best for students. Again, being visible and involved not only in schools, but in the community. That was important to people in the survey. uh they want somebody who supports and values staff listens um and creates a culture where staff wants to stay which would help in the the retention side of things too. And one of the this kind of goes back to the political um pressure and some of the comments talked about want to keep schools focused on education and schools and
046um trying to manage I guess the political side of things. So really trying to keep schools focused was another uh theme that came out of the comments. experience in education. Leadership was desired and really having a steady steady was the word that kind of came out. Trust building leader though not someone who's going to jump, you know, around at different initiatives, but someone who's going to be steady, who's going to uh stay the course and build trust uh not only of staff, the community, uh parents, and students. Okay, that's what I have for this again really a brief summary. You'll have the full survey this week and share that and read through it. But it does give you kind of just an overview on what we'll share with uh applicants when we talk to them
047and also trying to make sure that they fit into what we're what you're looking for not only in criteria but also so that they get a sense of of what the district and the community is like. So before I go on, do you have any questions for me? >> No, we don't right now. Will will you send a copy of those to us? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay, I'm just going to go back to the uh the interview schedule that we talked about in our last meeting and just make sure that we're all on the same page. Um, I highlighted this one because I believe that's where we came to a consensus on board having a one and a half hour interview time frame with each candidate having three different groups interview the the candidates
048community administration and staff and then uh giving a tour of the the community and school district to the candidates. Do we and as this as I look at this there's two different tours going on at the same time. I don't know if that's if you have two people who would be able to do that kind of coordinating that or what your thoughts are on that. >> We'll find the staff to do it. >> Okay. Okay. Were there any any other things you saw in that in this interview section that >> So what what time do you have a starting I I can't see it from where I'm at. >> 9:00. >> And what time does the last commute the interview group not the board but the last interview group? What time does that end? >>
049So it ends at 2:45. So that would be that admin >> at 2:45 community at 15. >> We're very likely to >> it'll be I'm sorry. Go ahead. >> We're very likely to host well to to have a what we call a Sodak 16 game to go to the state tournament >> and prefer to not have be in the interviews when that starts. >> Okay. >> Will that work or do we need to have this can shift earlier if need be? >> Should we start an hour earlier? >> Start at 8. >> Start today. >> Yeah, maybe start. Can we Start at 8. That good with you guys? >> Yeah. >> Yes. >> I keep smiling. >> Yep. >> Works great. >> Okay. >> I got to get kids to school. >> It's a Saturday.
050>> Saturday. What do I care about? That's great. >> Tracy can feed the kids. >> I hope she's watching. >> All right. Yeah. So, it'd be great if we can start at 8. >> Okay. I will make that adjustment and send that out. have a calendar for each of the candidates as well. So, they'll be able to see who they meet with. And then if uh if you have room set up, room numbers, etc. prior to, you know, week before. So, please let me know and then I can put that on there so then they know where to go as well. Otherwise, we could have somebody helping, you know, find rooms as well. So, so we'll need to have um somewhat of a a welcoming type of a person that's directing welcoming and then directing
051people to rooms. So, we'll need to figure out who will be in charge of that. >> Yeah, Craig and Jill and I will coordinate. Okay. We plan on doing it. We we had thought about BH at first, but I think the CTE center would work great. >> Uh and so we have office areas where they can have a home base and then we'll have rooms set up for interviews for the groups. Perfect. >> And then since it's going over the lunch hour, we got a lunch we'll provide. We'll get lunch >> catered in. >> Okay. And I just want to make sure too that that is it's a half hour lunch. So is that going to be sufficient? >> I think so. Yep. >> Okay. Good. >> Okay. Okay. Then stop sharing. I don't have
052um any other powerpoints for the rest of the conversation, but um talk a little bit about the interview questions. Uh I've developed some currently to meet the criteria that you addressed in our our previous meeting. So there right now there's 10. I do have others that I'm going through that I will go through, but I will ask if there are some that you have specifically as a board um that you want to ask. Otherwise, I've got I do have a bank and it's ready to go and I will share those with you before we come out for that. So, I'll I'll I'll contact you and get a hold of you. I'll share that with you. there's some things that you think are missing because sometimes um different boards will have different questions that they might
053like to ask and share that with me and we'll make sure that they're in a a good format as well. >> Yeah, if you could share your list so they know >> Yep. >> what you have and that might spur questions or you know >> give them ideas for questions. >> Yes, I will do that. Thank you. Then we need to discuss candidate interview expenses. That'll uh be a question that may come up from candidates. And so I just really need to know what what types of things. Um so if we have a candidate who comes in has to fly in for instance, are we paying for transportation in consuming a hotel the night before most likely getting done at 2 2:30ish. Um wouldn't necessarily need one that night, but we probably have to have
054a hotel um and transportation, but I kind of need to feel that out because it's a that's a choice to make. Generally uh costs of getting there are are for the candidate anyway are taken care of and at least one night stay and expenses. I mean if that's what you've seen normally done. Um do we need to set some type of limit though in terms of how much we would spend? You can >> a statement. >> Yeah. Almost. Yeah. Like we cover up to a certain expense. Um just so we don't end up paying a whole bunch for a plane ticket or something here. >> Right. Exactly. >> Um so I I uh I don't know what a reasonable amount is to cover flights and in a hotel room. Does anyone have any suggestions? >>
055I mean flights are you know between 3 to 500 sort of on average. >> Yeah. Hotel after tax is probably whatund 120 150 this time of year. >> So even if it's >> $5. >> So >> you know what? Let's put them up in the house at Sky Rich. >> That's a great idea. >> All All of them together in the same house. >> Yeah. >> It's like an episode of Big Brother. >> Whoever makes it out, there's our winner. I love that ide 750 bucks. >> I I think that would be plenty >> is >> I think we have to cap it up that >> what's customary Dave Ber >> we say $750 is that >> that should I mean that should cover I'm trying to think of any place that somebody would have
056to fly in that would and I don't even know what flights are right now. Um things are too bad. And do you have a I guess the question I would have is you have a a hotel that you work with for other um I guess other things that might come up that you have people stay at. Um sometimes that might be able to get a discount or something like that. Um >> you might be able to >> Yeah. Not to exceed 750 I think is is plenty. >> And I would say reimbursement upon providing receipts. >> Yes. >> Totally. That's exactly what what we'd ask. >> I would think even transportation we might be able to coordinate somebody to drive to pick them up stuff we can talk about. >> Okay. >> So are you
057are you telling him up to 750? >> 750. >> It's if they need flight or if they are from out of town. >> So yeah up to that. Perfect. reimburse them based on receipts, >> right? >> And that's where you know that's the other thing that's the other side of that too is when you talk about having a hotel that you might have um in mind sometimes getting them to then you don't have somebody going someplace that they don't need I guess. Um, but if you don't, that's fine, too. That kind of keeps >> at least that'll >> Yeah, I don't know if I want to pick one motel over another. >> Sure, that's true. Yeah, that's probably another point. >> They might have some kind of membership somewhere, >> right? >> I think we'll
058let Yeah, they can pick the hotel. >> Okay, that'll work. We'll make I'll make sure that if anybody asks if they want to know what that is or that they know, especially those that coming for an interview, you know, those that are coming for an interview, we'll let them know that that's what >> what we're doing. >> And then the other question that will come up is contract. Um, and so I would like to know as far as length, that's primarily it because the person you choose will have a discussion with you about negotiating that probably. Um, but really it's it's something that if they ask, I would like to again know what uh what type of length you're looking at. >> Minimum 25 years. If we would have done that with Kirk, we wouldn't
059have this problem. I'm just saying >> we wouldn't have this problem. >> I think initially it's customary at least a two two >> if you're asking somebody to uproot their family and move and whatever. I think customary is at least a two. >> Is there any sort of probationary period with superintendent contracts or is it just a >> not generally? I mean, that is sort of your first year is sort of probationary, except that you usually give them a two-year contract. Again, like Kirk's been saying about um picking up moving their family. Um I don't know if you know, sometimes you'll have a rollover provision and then that that provision could be taken away if it's not working out. Um so yeah, I would say two is minimum. Um, and some some districts like to
060go three just to make sure that they get somebody to stay. Um, but most most superintendents are understanding that if they get it for two, they'll make sure they get their third and so on. So, >> I'll give it two. Yeah, two. Okay. And I don't think there's anything else like I said on the contract that's something that I mean we could certainly discuss what you want in it but I generally try to defer to legal counsel for that. That's their area of expertise. So I don't I don't try to dabble on that too much but I I can give suggestions if needed. I think at some point you probably need to look at my existing contract and decide if there are provisions in there that >> need to still need to go or need
061to grow or whatever. >> There's a clause in there that you can't quit. >> You're banging that. >> This just seems overwhelming. Let's just say you have to stay. >> Can't let it go. >> Okay. So, so Dave, immediately following this open session, we have an executive session. Uh, we'd like you to stick around for that. There's some personnel questions we'd like to ask. >> Sure. >> Um, we'd like you to stick around. >> Okay, I can do that. >> Okay. >> So, with that, um, I need a motion to go into executive session. >> I make the motion for South Dakota Codified Law 252 paragraph 1 discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character, or fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. The term employee does not include any independent
062contractor. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> We are moving into executive session. >> Kudos to the four of you who stayed the whole time and didn't walk out with your classmates partway through. >> All right. Give us a minute. >> Mr. Sire, that was very kind of you to sign those and let them out. I didn't want to interrupt. >> They were actually engaged in it. >> If you guys like coffee, let Mr. Sire know what flavor you'd like for me. >> You get one free. >> The people who sat in the back of the room were rewarded. >> And now I feel bad. Jim, if you have to buy one, >> one free. >> Thanks you guys.