001Go ahead and call the May 12th, 2025 school board meeting to order. We will begin with 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. Roll call, please. Mr. Aaron Schultz. Mr. Mr. Bradson, I am present. Mr. Brian Sharp, Mr. Dwayne here. Dr. Gil Borton here. Mr. Kevin, Mr. Mark Murphy here. All right, we have some good news items to talk about tonight. Yes. [Laughter] [Music] Hello. Hi. How are you? Good. Good. This evening, oh, I'll start first and then I'll let you jump in. All right. This evening we have uh with us Isabelle Carlson. She is a seventh grader at Simmons Middle School. Uh she is a very
002fine artist and she participated in the PTA Reflections Contest. Over the years, we've had many students here that have been statewide winners. And this year, Isabella finished in the at the national level. She's getting recognized at the national level. There were 40 states that participated in this competition. There were over 850 entries into this competition. And Isabella is one of 200 students who is getting a special award tonight. So, Isabella, do you want to tell the board about what you did and show us what you put together? Um, yeah. So, basically, this is my art that I put together. Have you come around to the front of it, the front of the podium so we can see it? Maybe. There you go. Beautiful. Oh, wow. Oh, wow. But I could just set it right here.
003Yeah, that's great. All right. So, hello. My name is Isabella, as you know. But um basically this art is like I'm going to go over like how basically um I started from the school as just an assignment all the way to the national level. So basically it all started out as it was like a homework kind of thing. People could do different types of things. So I decided to do the fine arts and so I turned it in and I decided to do the competition part. And after the competition, I went into um I moved into the state level and well actually first I passed the two schools. I passed first place for the school and then I passed another school and then I went on to the state level. I passed the state level
004and then I went to the nationals after nationals. Well, this is where I am right now. I'm nationals for second place for the national nationals out of the whole state. And now I'm going to move on to the actual meaning of this art. Okay. This drawing doesn't just show something on a piece of paper, but it shows a meaning. A meaning of life. A meaning of people who can of how mistakes or insecurities can grow into new beginnings. If everybody were the same, there would be no sprouting a new beginning. And this drawing doesn't just have to relate to one person. It can relate to a bunch of people, including me. So, I'm going to get into something a little bit more, you know, personal. So, this drawing, I kind of based it on my
005fifth grade year. My fifth grade year, I had the biggest insecurities, okay? I feel like everybody did in their lifetime, but I decided, why not just join this competition and decide to do this drawing, so I did. And it ended up going pretty well. I thought this little piece of paper, well, not little, but I didn't think this piece of paper could get me that far. Past that level, this level, that level, that level. I don't know how it got me that far. But after all that, I So, you see, it's not just a picture. It's a way of life showing how people can sprout new beginnings and sprout new insecurities. Not just insecurities you're upset about, insecurities that can make you perfect. not perfect, but just how you feel good about yourself. So that's
006basically the process and the whole art behind the process. The art the theme for the competition was accepting imperfection. I think Isabella did a really great job explaining how her drawing would go along with that theme. Questions from the board or comments? So, you're going to continue to do artistic types of things as you progress? Yeah, I'm going to continue as much as I can. I'm going to Well, I got a scholarship actually for this um art. So, they got $200 scholarship, so that's pretty cool. Um but I will keep continuing in like a bunch of different competitions, too. You have a real talent. Have you always liked to draw? Yeah, it started at a young age. I guess I just one day I was like, "Huh, I wonder if I can just start drawing."
007So I started drawing and I mean it kind of progressed from there. So So this was your initial drawing that started the whole competition and took you through or was this a different drawing after the initial competition started? This is the just the drawing. It's always been this kind of drawing. Isabelle is a very busy student. Can you tell the board some of the other activities that you do in the community and in the school? Mhm. So, I'm also like an actor and I'm a singer. So, I do a bunch of plays. I'm in a bunch of singing gigs. I'm actually doing the talent show for the school this year. So, I'm pretty excited for that on Wednesday. And then I'm well, as you can see, I'm really like art. I'm very compassionate for it.
008So, I mean those are a few activities I've been in, not counting sports, but like I mean those are just a few activities. What are your sports? Um, I have a lot of sports. I don't really know, but I wanted I was going to do basketball, but then I decided not to. And I do softball. I do swimming. And then I was going to do tennis, but then I kind of, you know, maybe next year. You look like a tennis player. What are you going to do for the talent show? Um, I'm going to be singing a Lauren Digle song, Still Rolling Stones. Oh, okay. Yeah. Excellent. Obviously, you have a lot of talent and a lot of interest. Our only recommendation is try everything out and you never know, like you said, fifth grade,
009you decided to pick up a piece of paper and draw and look where where it's taking you. So, Congratulations. That's really special. Nice job, Dr. Guffin. We've also had every It seems like every so often we have estate winners, too. Yes. In the PTA down through the years, we've had some wonderful pictures that come. I don't recall a national winner. I think this might be our first one. So, I could be wrong, but I just don't recall a national I don't recall a national winner. Amazing. Okay, we have another good news item this evening. Melissa Erlin Bush is here this evening and she is going to be presenting the Forte International Association School of the Year award for the third time. Oh my. So, that is good news. Um, I just want to first of
010all, I'm going to start out by reading the nomination letter that I wrote for for Aine Central. AC has always been welcoming to our students since we started placing there in 2014. But this year, they've gone above and beyond for our students. This is thanks not to just one person, but the combined effort of so many in the school system. They started the school year out with eight Forte students and ended the school year with nine. This year, when one of our students chose to move in with another family, the school for the first time opened their door to accepting not one but two spring students. We also had another student go home after the first term. It was then that they agreed to accept the first spring student, and the other acceptance followed a
011short time later. But things didn't stop there. One of our students was very unsure as if she wanted to spend the entire year or just a semester as she was very homesick in the beginning. They allowed her to adjust her schedule so that she took all her required classes in the first semester so she would get credit for an entire year's worth of work and would not have to retake it in Brazil. This is not something they had to do, but they chose to do for the sake of the student. and for this she will be forever thankful. I am happy to report though that she chose to stay for the entire year. So this semester she's had a lot of fun with it. Their guidance counter counselor Riley Stadle is beyond amazing with the
012students. She gives them guidance and encouragement and friendship when they need it the most. If I have concerns about a student, she is always right there to help in any way that she can. If they are struggling in a class, she gives them the tools they need or she finds them a class that will better fit them. Shelley Sutton, the principal secretary, also goes out of her way to help, as does the assistant athletic director, Mark Anderson. They do not have to go out of their way. They choose to go out of their way. And it's because of people like this along with Dr. Jason Uttermark that make our exchange program at Abdine Central so successful. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I for one am very thankful that Aberdine
013Central High School and its staff has been part of our village for the past 10 years. It is for all these reasons that I would like to nominate Aberdine Central as Forte International Exchange Association's school of the year. And to add to this good news, this fall for the first time, the third sibling from the same family will be attending Aine Central High School. This is a first for Central and a first for Forte. Uh the oldest, Gonzalo, was super impressed with Aberdine Central that he convinced his younger sister to get go to Aberdine Central. And at that time, I was just Gonzo's supervisor or representative. And he was so impressed with my husband and I that they called and asked if she could live with us. And we said yes. And this fall we
014got the call that their little brother wanted to come and go to Aberdine Central and wanted to live with us as well. So we're super excited for that. And that says a lot for the school. if three siblings from the same family want to attend the same high school because a lot of times they want to do try out different areas of the country. So, this is a huge accomplishment. Kaen here is new to us. She's one of our local reps and we still have lots of students that need families. We have like 90. So, if anybody's interested in stepping up even for 6 to nine weeks as a welcome family, please talk to one of us. we'd be more than willing to help you. And here is the award. Very nice. Yeah. And Kaen's
015gonna actually take it and she's going to give it to Dr. Edomar at school. So she likes that. Does anybody have any questions? Thank you for your kind comments. So, of course, I love Aberine Central. I mean, that's where my son went to school. That's where I went to Old Central, though. Well, Alex found his passion and what he wanted to do in life because of Mr. McCafferty and everything Aberdine Central had to offer. So, Central will always have a big place in our heart. Well, I'd say you're a pretty nice family, too, that they want to stay with you. You know, I mean, the two that are coming this fall are going to be numbers 26 and 27 in our home. So, yeah. We it's it's the most rewarding thing my husband and I
016have ever done. And we do not we have my children but we don't have children together. So these are our children together. And out of the 25 kids we've hosted so far we still hear from a regular basis probably from about 21 of them. So Mother's Day is always really fun. It's interesting to see all the the branches because I I know there's uh staff that take on uh students as well and past. Yes. And um I I know my son who's a junior stays in contact with a foreign exchange student from last year. My son's planning to go to Europe next year and they're talking about trying to get together. And so that connection and just having that worldly view is uh so important to I know one of our exchange sons is going
017to be coming back this this fall for a wedding for for one of the friends that he made while he was here and so it's it's really fun when they come back to visit. Well, you said some very kind words about Aberdeen Central, but we owe you a thank you as well. Um this is flawless. I mean I I very very few issues when we have student exchange students with us and we appreciate them and what they offer our school as well. And I know that you work hard to find families and to keep and I I appreciate Jason so much because when we do have an issue with a student, he's right there to help us with that issue. Even if if it's at home or whatever, he's right there to help um every
018step of the way. And he um is always there to lend a listening ear. If if it's something I can't take care of myself, then he'll step in and help, too. And we've had to in the past we've had to pull in, you know, the one of the Spanish teachers to come in and interpret at the beginning of the year just because we weren't figuring things. We weren't explaining things well enough. But I think that student was just playing a game and I think we understood everything we said. Well, thank you very much. You do. We appreciate it. All right. All right, great stuff. So, uh, tonight we have the agenda in front of us. I'd ask for a motion for approval. I'll make that motion by all. Second by Dr. Bornham. All those in
019favor of tonight's agenda signify by saying I. I passed. Persons wishing to address the board. I have none. Board remarks. I have none tonight. We got nothing. Okay. I just say that uh the next time this board will get together will be uh postgraduation. We want to give the best wishes to the class of 2025 and thank all the teachers, staff, administration for a wonderful year and uh enjoy the summer months that uh they all deserve. With that, we do have the minutes in front of us from April 14th and 28th. I'd ask for a motion for approval. So moved. Motion by Murphy, second by Olsen. All those in favor of approval of the minutes signify by saying I. I oppose. It's approved. We do have the consent agenda in front of us. Does anyone
020wish to have anything pulled from the consent agenda? See none. I'd ask for a motion for approval. Motion by Olson. Second by all. All those in favor of the consent agenda. Signify by saying I. I. Same sign. Thank you. Report to superintendent, Dr. Guffin. Thank you. The first item on the agenda this evening is our school resource officer update. It looks like Officer Curtin's going to kick things off for us tonight. All right. Good evening everybody. Thank you to the board for having us uh and Dr. Guffin for having us tonight. Uh 2024 2025 school year marked the 25th year that the Aberdine School District and the Aberdine Police Department have collaborated and have had police officers assigned to the Aberdine public school district. And lucky for all of you, we are all here tonight.
021This is my 25th year on the Oh, I told you no cheap shots today. Be careful. All right. Well, congratulations on that. That's a long time. Thank you. Thank you. All right. So, I am currently completing my sixth year at Central. My 10th if we're going to count academic years. Yes. Yes. I'm just as surprised as you guys that I'm still in school. Transcripts don't exist anymore. Oddly enough, they gave me the keys to that room as well. There's no proof of how good a student I was. So, uh I have so much fun wandering the hallways, uh leaving the building. I get to cruise around the parking lot, uh interrupt teachers during class, then leaving without permission. uh maybe even play the drums when the the band director isn't watching. But for real, when
022I'm out doing these things, I find myself in one of the most unique positions a law enforcement officer can find themselves in. Being in the school, I strive to interact with as many students and staff as possible and build positive relationships with them uh each and every day. Uh and SRO's behind the scenes work may go unnoticed to many, but if you follow one of us around, I guarantee you'd be amazed at how the kids and staff interact with a police officer inside their buildings. Uh I'm building trust of students that may have not trusted law enforcement in the past. And for the most part, they get to see me and not the me I have to be in uniform. Sometimes these interactions spill into the community and they're approaching adulthood. As the Aberdine School
023District is critical to the community, I have continued to try and find active find ways to actively engage with the community. This summer when I go on patrol, there will be a focus on parks and events involving children in our community. And while working during the summer, I will participate in a lot of those events. Uh I still reside as the vice president of the South Dakota Association of School Resource Officers. Our summer conference is in Sou Falls and our board has worked really hard to bring school related law enforcement and educators to our conference. Last year was largest so far and we actually had 50 school administrators and staff that attended with law enforcement officers. So I think that's really huge um bringing everybody together. Uh so thank you again for allowing me to
024do what I get to do at Central and for the district and look forward to continuing that relationship. Any questions? Ah, I think they're I was I I almost got out of here. Did you write them down, Mr. Olsson? No. I um you know, in this day and age, you hear whenever there's a shooting across the country, you hear about it. Do you think our security system is state-of-the-art and up to speed, and is there something we as a board should be doing more as far as investing in security? I think from the time that I started at Central, I can speak specifically to Central, um not the other schools obviously, uh but Central I I mean where we were six years ago to today is amazing. Um when when we practice our lockdown drills,
025our Alice drills, everything everything works the way it's supposed to work. The notifications go out. Um all of our law enforcement officers have access to the building when when we would be in a lockdown situation. Um, our chief of police is very active in in school related incidents and making sure we're ready to go on those. Um, so I think we're fine. I think we're doing a great job. Uh, one of the principles at Central had went to a meeting maybe last year and came back and said we are leaps and bounds above the school that she was at um on on some of the stuff that we had. So she was very impressed with that. So I think we're doing a great job. I think the board is doing a great job and the
026district is as well. So very receptive when we have an issue and bring something forward. So glad to see you're moving so well, too. Yeah. Thank you. It's It's back. We're back. Glad to have you back. Perfect. All right. Well, if there's nothing else, I think we have a question for Mr. Mr. I apologize, sir. Yeah. Officer Kernan, you know, we've gone through some very challenging times legally and uh all the little incidences, but I think you should be congratulated for the adjustments that you've made. I think it's all about adjustments in your job, too. So, thank you very much. I appreciate that. Thank you. I'm curious. Do you hear from students post high school that may have some might be running into some issues post high school and they reach out and say can
027you help me here or you know yes no I guess you run into people in the community all the time kids in community be it at Walmart out eating dinner uh they always come up and they're talking to you. uh last time I was at a restaurant, a former student come up and shared her last year of school with me and what she was doing to succeed and just just started telling me that. So, I don't know. I think that's a successful part of that when a kid just comes up to you or eating dinner and wants to share their past year of schooling uh you know, secondary ed or college education with you. So, um as for reaching out, I think they they would if they need something. I I don't doubt it. They
028probably have. Yeah, that's important. So, that's what we try to do. Try to build those relationships all the way through adulthood. So, when they do see us, they trust us. So, the other thing I say every year is I'm so glad that we have continuity. You've been here six years and and I think it's really important that the kids see that continuity from year to year to year. And I'm sure that builds trust like you can't believe. I feel I feel like I don't feel like a police officer inside that building, right? I I feel like a staff member. I like a teacher. I don't think they even see me in uniform anymore. That's how I That's how I feel. I I'm another staff member in the building that's there every day. It's great. We'll
029keep it going hopefully. Awesome. Thank you. Rest of the crew is here. Well, I I believe Officer Wolf, I have Wolf written down next, so we'll see. Is he right there? I saw him. Okay. Enjoy this. Thank you, Wolf. Military. He's hard to miss. You're taking stabs at you already. That's fair. Have fun. How we doing? Evening. Good evening. Good evening. I'm Officer Wolf with Wholegate. How's everyone doing today? Good. Good. How are you? Oh, terrific. Uh, this will be year five. Yeah, this year was absolutely awesome. Um, grades way up. I think it's all because they feel safe. It's all due to me. Fantastic. Check stats on that. It's just been fantastic. But, uh, no, everything has been going really good. Uh, Holate for the most part has been kind of off the map
030pretty much all year. Everyone's been getting everyone's been getting along pretty good. Uh, it's been a very fun year. I think this year was the first. Did anyone get a chance to go out there for Christmas? We heard about it. How awesome. It was awesome. Uh my hall did not win, but uh a little police bias. I'm pretty sure they just didn't like me, so that's why we lost them. But no, it was absolutely awesome. Um if anybody didn't get I I I hope this is a normal thing now. Yeah, I hope. uh the amount of people that ended up coming in. I think the coolest thing about it is that I think it's very easy to for like kids that kind of see decorations and rip them down when they're not happy or when
031they're getting in trouble or anything like that. And uh that year like it was we had everything up since like I would say the I think Miss Netzer started like two weeks before everybody else. We were supposed to wait until after Thanksgiving, but Miss Nzer started I think like in like mid November. But I mean, with everything that we've had, no one ripped down anything. Everyone was invested in it. Everyone kept on building everything. And it was literally like, does everybody know what I'm talking about? Yeah. The Christmas Yeah. It was literally wall to- wall, you know? It was a great way to spend funding. Horrible representative for the rainforest, but it was it was good. It was really fun. Um, yeah. And, uh, as I don't know if you guys are aware, this is
032my last year. uh as the SRO. Uh you're going to have uh Miss Valencia. Uh Connie Valencia is going to be the new SRO over at Wholegate. She's great. She's exactly like me. Exactly. She's like 48. Uh just a tiny tiny thing and speaks a lot of languages. So it probably be way more helpful up there. Uh but yeah, I'll be going to a new role. Uh be a mental health resource officer through the police department. This will be the inaugural spot for it. So we've never had it before. Uh, so I'll figure I'd give that a go and uh, you know, see how it goes. And then with everybody that I kind of built up within the schools, uh, it'll make it a million times easier for when the position actually starts up. So
033it'll be, uh, cuz I'll be able to talk with teachers, professionals. I've already talked to you several times, I know, and Becky as well, or Miss Dr. Guffin, you know. Uh, so I mean, everything is uh, I think it'll all work out pretty good. I think you guys are going to get someone that's really good, way more approachable. So, but I will say this year the the video kicking drag me across the finish line kicking and screaming 100%. I did not want anything to do with it. Dr. Guffin's very aware of this. Everyone else was. So, I the only my only Did everybody see the video? Yeah. Yeah. A lunch box. That was about it. So it was it was nice to it was nice to do that because it was hated it at first
034but it was one of the things that the the kids got to watch it and the so like day one no sixth graders pretty much the same as every for the past 5 years no sixth graders want to talk to me that's pretty much how it goes I they come up with some weird things of why I'm in the school I think the best one was I was too dangerous in the streets schools fantastic But uh no, they played the video. Sixth graders became very curious. Uh started asking a lot of questions, coming in and talking to me. Uh once again, every year I I I have the same thing for the past 5 years is I'm 90% sure I've gotten at least like six kids continually in trouble every single week just because of
035them stopping and wanting to talk. And a lot of that stuff has to do with videos like that that kind of branch out and open up to the kids. I actually let them see that. Hey, well actually I actually doesn't really get to see any side. I actually do look mad in that, don't I? I can be it too. They're just looking for a bodyguard again. But no, it was absolutely awesome. And uh you know, the past 5 years have absolutely been probably the most fun uh I've had to work like ever. It was actually an absolute blast, especially get getting to spend all your money on the Christmas stuff. That was Oh, yeah. No, I I really do appreciate it. So, what's your new position? What's that? What's your new position? Mental health resource
036officer. So, anybody that has uh basically any type of mental issues or anything like that within the city of Aberdine, I'll be the one that is going to be going and dealing with them, talking with them, uh following up with them. Um, and same thing with any type of chemical imbalance between drugs, alcohol, or anything like that, I'll be able to go and help out with. Do you have professional training in that? Uh, the trainings that we basically have through uh that we actually get sent to uh through our department. Yes. I have a couple years uh dealing with uh crisis individuals back in uh Minnesota called Divine House Incorporated. So, I worked for them for a very long time. the by crisis household. They were just very very aggressive there. But it was I
037tell you what, it got to you had to learn how to talk really quick. Otherwise, you got hit with random things. So, well, good luck to you. I appreciate it. Thank you. Going to miss you. I'll miss it very much. Hopefully, I don't go too far. Uh but uh yeah, no, I'll definitely miss it. It was definitely a blast. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you. Thank you. Staying doors. Yeah, for sure. Good evening. Everybody, Officer Olsson here. And once again, I'm I'm sorry to see Officer Wolf go, but at the same time, from listening to all your laughter out in the hallway, I'm kind of glad that he's going. I don't have to follow that anymore. Um, can't believe it's uh been 5 years for me here with you guys
038already. Uh, but I guess what they say as far as time flying when you're having fun. Um, I've only got a couple of things I want to bring up here this evening that uh I wanted to address with you guys. And uh uh the first is uh Camille and I have kind of started revamping our Alice program. So, we've had a few meetings throughout the course of the school year. Um and a few of the things we want to change is as of right now uh we do we conduct two drills uh with the students and the staff uh at each uh building. So we we'll start the year um in in the fall and we'll do a drill primarily where the students and the staff are practicing locking down inside of their classrooms and
039barricading that. Uh and then the second drill that uh we typically do uh which oddly enough we did the last one today at Holgate, we give the students and staff something in the way of a scenario where we'll after the advisement comes over the PA system that the building's gone into lockdown. Um I'll have one of the school uh principles or administrators in that building advise that a certain bu uh door to their specific building has been compromised. Um and then the students and staff need to make a decision on whether or not they're going to evacuate. Um, so we've done that like that the last few years. Um, we made a decision this year that uh we wanted a little bit of feedback. So I came up with a Google doc that uh I
040think it was like seven or eight questions um that I sent to each building after we conducted the test. Um and then uh each principal sent that out to all their staff and they were asked or required to to respond to it. Um one of the questions on that Google doc they were asking about um any any changes? there's anything you can think we can do better. And one of the overwhelming responses was that they were requesting more training. So, as a police officer with the Abian Police, we love training. So, I had a quick conversation with my higherups and said, "This is what they're looking to do. It's coming in directly from the staff. They want more hands-on training with no students present um so they can have some comfortability and one-on-one time with
041me uh as we do these things." Um, of course, my staff uh loved it and the opportunity to train some more. So, um, starting this fall, um, we're still working on the schedule. We're going to start, uh, on staff development days, uh, going into each building and having, excuse me, um, we'll do a little bit more of like the PowerPoint to begin with, more than likely a safety check and things like that, but then we're going to move into different areas of the building and give the staff um, an opportunity to respond uh, to some uh, different scenarios. Um before they do that though, um we we've discussed as well as uh putting together something in the way of a training video for them to watch and sign off on as well. So um I
042think we're in agreement with that that we love that idea because one, it gives them the tool. They can they can watch it kind of in in parts or however they choose. Um it benefits them as far as uh retaining the information and then they have it to hold on to as well um before any drill or any test that we might do. They can access that themselves and go over it again. Um, so we have uh those updates. Um, one of the other things I wanted to bring up was the uh I'm sure you noticed this fall the stop lightss out here at 13th and South Third Street. Uh, we uh um Dr. Merley and Mrs. Scarro uh and I had a conversation early in the school year about uh there's a lot of
043kids walking through this area, you know, between daylight savings time and you know, it being dark and so forth. people just new to the area, sixth graders and parents and stuff coming through. Um it's a little bit different of an intersection out there between the where the stop signs are at and so forth. Um so I reached out to our city engineer, Mr. Stu Nelson. Um said, "Hey, I've got a little bit of a problem. Uh wondering if you guys and your your team can help." Um so couple weeks of emails and back and forth. Um he got a hold of me said, "I think I got the perfect solution." So, if you've noticed now, they've got the solar panels up on top and now our stop signs actually flash red. And uh you know,
044every year we've taken multiple uh traffic complaints of some some degree out here. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that that intersection's just a little different and if you're not new to the area or you're not familiar with it, you're kind of committed to the intersection, then you go, "Oh no, it's too late." Um so with that flashing, uh with all the stop signs flashing, I believe they start flashing about 6:30 in the morning. Um, and then they'll start flashing uh as well before 3. It's just helping to slow traffic down. Um, I I pulled up our stats real quick at the police department. In fact, since uh those were implemented here, we've only had one traffic complaint uh at that intersection this year. Normally, we have multiple. Um
045and and that one actually, I don't think was because of the lights or anything like that. um watching the video and speaking to to the individual, the vehicles in front of her had actually pulled over so far to the right to allow traffic because it's kind of a narrow street as well. She thought they were pulling over in parking and then as I said committed to the intersection went oh no and then she realized what happened. So, but one way or the other um I wanted to say a special thank you to to Stu Nelson, our engineer, uh with the city and then with it the street department, Mike and everyone that took their time to put those in. I think it's a huge help. Um, and then one last thing I just want to
046bring up, and uh, you know, Ben can contest to this as well, is I want to say thank you to Mr. Luke Rendell's with the works for you all here at the school district. Um, he's in charge of the doors and I've got the easy job. I go around and look for the doors that aren't working properly or kids have uh, jammed open with slamming, whatever the case might be. I get Luke on the phone and he drops what he's doing and he comes over um, and gets these things fixed right away. So, um, I know I had mentioned him last year, but I think it worth it was worth warranting to another conversation about him. So, I'm sure, like I said, Ben can contest to that because, um, I don't know how many times
047I've had to call him this year and he drops what he's doing. Yep. Be there in 5 minutes and he gets it. He understands it. It's a security thing. He stops stops what he's doing, gets over there and gets it fixed for me right right away. So, um, hard to follow, Officer Wolf, but those are just a couple of things I wanted to bring up. Um, do you guys have any questions for me? concerns. Thank you for this. If I walk out and you guys can just start laughing as a confidence boost time it questions you guys. Thank you for what you do. Hey, this is the last five years have gone by so fast. I absolutely love this position and getting to hang out with the kids and teach Dare and you name it.
048So, thank you for that opportunity to work with you guys here. Thank you. We'll time it. When I open the door, start laughing. You guys all have a good night. Appreciate your time. Lackluster, but I'll take it. We tried. Hello. Hi. How is everyone this evening? Good. Good. How are you? I'm good. You look more official. I just got off work at 5. I didn't have time to change. So, um I'm Officer Klene. Um I'm the roving SRO. Um it's kind of a new position. This is the first full year that I've had it. Um I work with all six public elementaryaries and I also deal with the four private schools as well. Um so one of the main things that I do is I try and build relationships with kids starting off younger. Um,
049I think it's imperative that they see law enforcement as a positive thing instead of only hearing negatives or only seeing negatives. So, this year I've really worked hard on not only building that relationship with the kids so that they see law enforcement as someone that they can trust and that they can appeal to, but also with the staff at the schools as well. So, when they need something, they can call or if they have questions, they can bounce things off of me as well. Um, another thing that I work on is the school safety, like the buildings itself. So, my goal every day is to try and get to as many schools as I possibly can. Usually, I can get to all six public schools unless a call comes up. Um, when I go to
050the schools, I go through and I walk around the entire building and I pull doors to make sure doors are secure. If they're not, we figure out why and we get them fixed. We let staff know like, hey, maybe there is pressure because some of the doors will pop with pressure. We need to make sure that we're pulling doors closed behind us, you know, stuff like that, just to make sure, you know, that the staff is aware. Um, sorry, I'm looking at my notes. Um, I do a lot of calls, especially with all the schools that I go to. Not only that, but I also help. If Kernan is gone, I'll go to the high school and I'll sit up there. Or if the middle school SRO are gone, I'll fill in at their schools.
051So, I bounce around quite a bit. Um, over the last year, this is just a snippet of the calls I've taken. I won't give numbers because some of them there's a lot, some there's not so much. Um, I've done an assault, child abuse reports, disorderly conduct, domestics and enttrapment, fight, intentional damage, weapon offenses, lost kids, um, out of control kids, sex offenses, threat calls, tobacco, truency, and a whole lot of welfare checks. And that's just to name a few. And most of those are all at the elementary schools that I'm dealing with. Um, I also answer calls. Staff will call me constantly if they have questions like, "Hey, you know, this we have this going on. Is this something that needs to be reported or not?" So, I take a lot of phone calls from
052the staff and answer any of those questions that they have. Um, this year I also gave the shape presentation for smoking and vaping to all fourth graders throughout the district. Um, I had to come up with the PowerPoint myself, which I always give credit to my daughter because she had to help me put the PowerPoint up. Um, and then I did that. Um, and the other thing I did is I sent towards the end of the year, I sent an email out to the kind of like the admin that I deal with a lot at the elementaryaries just saying, "Hey, you know, we this is a first full year of this position. Did you think it was good to have an SRO in the schools? you know, is there something that you think could be
053better? Anything like that? And overwhelmingly, pretty much I think every email I got returned was positive. So, any questions? I thought you did a great job in the Mike Miller um parade. Thanks. Yeah. I wondered the kids were all wearing police hats and then when the parade started and there was a because they had floats that signified what Mike Miller had done. So then the one and then you were just walking with all the kids with their hats on. I thought, you know, you could tell they felt comfortable with you. How do you get to all of the schools though and feel light? I mean I put on a lot of steps every night. I should actually wear something that monitors my steps. Um, sometimes I'll be at a school for as little if they're
054all in classes. You know, I don't bother any of the classes. I just go pull doors. I talk to the people, the principal or whoever's at the front office. So, some schools I'll maybe only be there 15, 20 minutes. Um, other schools, you know, if there's a gym class, depending what they're doing. I'm not that young, so I can't, especially with scooters. I don't. Um, but some of their gym classes I'll stay and help them, you know, with gym. So, I'll maybe be at at school for like an hour and then switch. And I also try every day I go to a different elementary and spend the entire lunch period with that school. Um, helping open up milk cartons and, you know, just monitoring the lunchroom and talking with kids and answering questions that they
055have. Um, it's hard, but I I do it the best I can. Not every day will I get to every school, but that's just the goal that I have. Did you consider replacing officer Wolf? I did not because I love elementary. Like I mentioned earlier, continuity is I think it's been so great for the officers in our schools. I think the kids get to know you all and they follow you and I'm sure there's a level of trust that developed. So, and you can tell as a school year has gone on, it's gone from they're just like, "Hey, police officer. Hey, police officer. And now even, you know, in kindergarten classes, it's officer Klein. You know, they're getting to know who I am personally. And, you know, I think maybe briefly for like a second,
056I thought, but I didn't want to leave the elementaryaries. I really love the spot that I have. Thank you for your service, officially. Thank you. Y you guys all have a great next item on our agenda is the approval of the 2526 transportation contract. Michaela has that. Yes. So next year's transportation rates are increasing ranging from 2.1 to 2.5%. pay for cited a 12% increase in their insurance, a 35% increase in the cost for new buses in the last three years, as well as an increase in the cost of parts, and a wage increase for drivers as the reasons the increase was needed. How long is our contract for with them? I mean, they don't do the annual adjustments, but is our contract with them for a longer period of time? I think it's just
057annually. I don't think there's no like a fiveyear or anything. There's a clause that we have to provide if we're going to cancel on either side. Yes, Rob. When you look at the rate increase, it seems to be of a reasonable nature. I think if you know what's going on in the country here and and rising costs and inflation, I just think it's reasonable. That's my opinion on it. Haven't heard any complaints about any of the transportation. We used to a number of years ago, but Oh, yeah. Yeah. But I heard none. So I move approval of the transportation contract. Motion on the floor by Olsson to approve, second by alm. Any further discussion related to the transportation proposal? See none. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Okay. And
058the next item on the agenda is the approval of the 2526 preliminary budget. Okay. So, this slide shows all the funds for next year. The debt service fund did drop off since our last um CHS bond issue payment was January of 2025. Um more to come on that in a few slides. Starting with general fund, our funding formula revenue is estimated to be 29,82,000. We won't know that amount until the last Friday of September. Um, that's the enrollment date. So, this should be conservative. It's a 1.25% increase to the funding formula. However, based on projected 165 student decrease, we are expecting a decrease in revenue of 434,000. For other revenue, I subtracted new beginning revenue and then used a 2% increase. Transfer from capital outlay fund. We've been doing a $600,000 transfer. We increased that
059to $800,000 this year and now we're increasing to $1 million starting next year. State law allows us to transfer up to 45% of capital outlay tax revenue to general fund. This $1 million equates to 10.8%. 8%. Moving on to expenditures, I started with the current year expenditures as a base. The salary and benefit increase, we gave a 1% increase in salaries, 6% increase in health insurance, and 5% increase in dental insurance contribution. insurance increases. There was a $125,000 increase for property liability insurance premium and a $56,000 increase for workers comp. Inflationary increase. I used a 2% increase in the projection. I expect the actual increases to be SRO wages 15,000. That equates to 13.5%. They received an 11% raise from the city in 2025 and they'll receive another raise probably around 4% based on my
060discussions with the administrative sergeant. And then busing 21,000 which is 2 and a half%. So this projection should be a little conservative for that. Then for decreases to expenditures, we've got staffing decreases. There's a 7ft FTE decrease in teaching staff through attrition and a 1 FTEE decrease in EA staff. We also reduce salaries by 75,000 for estimated savings from the partial allocation of elementary, music, and PE teacher salaries to the sped fund. Other decreases were required budget reductions to various departments districtwide of 5%. This is that total. And this brings us to an estimated deficit of 86,000 which includes a $200,000 contingency. Our 63024 fund balance was 6.3 million. We won't know what our current year deficit is until all adjustments are posted, which goes until August. Um, but I budgeted for a $695,000 deficit
061this year. So with that deficit and this $86,000 deficit, our def our fund bonds at 63026 would be estimated at 4.8 million. However, with that debt service fund being closed out, I'll be proposing a transfer of that remaining fund balance into the general fund in June. And that current balance is 527,000. So that'll be a nice bonus to the general fund. Next is capital outlay. We already approved this at the November 25th board meeting. Total estimated revenue of 9,432,000. Projected expenditures of 9,627,900 and an estimated deficit of 1 million or 196,000. We weren't originally projecting a deficit back in November, but we increased the trans transfer to general fund by 200,000. Our projected 63026 fund balance would be 3,482,000. Moving on to spread fund projected funding formula revenue 12,36,000. We know this with reasonable certainty
062since this fund's revenue is based on fiscal year 25 enrollment. The state increased rates for all disability levels by 1.25%. Other revenue I used a 2% increase from prior year expenditures for staffing increases we increased one teaching position two EAS and one counselor and then we increased salaries by that 75,000 for the partial allocation of elementary music and PE teachers to the sped fund from general fund inflationary increases I added 85,000 due to busing costs being over budget this current year and due to the increase in rates for next year. And then I used a 2% increase for other purchase services and supplies. Other increases 12,000 of that is the net increase in teach costs. Remaining 22,000 is the increase in longevity bonus payments. projected decreases in expenditures. There's just 70,000 which is estimated savings
063from new teaching staff. There's a couple highly paid teachers retiring this year and we're gaining a couple first year teachers and that gets us to an estimated surplus of 60,000. Our 63024 fund balance was 2,822,000 which was 23.5% of our expenditures. The max is 25%. We budgeted a deficit of 204,000 this year. So with this current year deficit and this surplus next year, our 63026 fund balance would be 2,678,000 which is 19.5% of expenditures. Obviously there's a pretty big increase in expenditures for next year. So that percentage decreased by quite a bit. Next is the arena fund. We transfer 10% of ticket sales to this fund to be for renovations and repairs to the CHS arena and theater approximately 8,000 per year. We use the fund balance in fiscal year 23. 63024 fund balance was
0649,754. We are not estimating any expenses out of the fund for next year. Next is food service fund. This is using a 10-cent increase to breakfast and 15 cents to lunch which equates to a 3.7% increase. This is just an estimate for now. We don't know what the federal reimbursement rates will be yet. In this projection, I used a 3.2% increase. Moving on to expenses, the FSMC fee increase I estimated to be just under 78,000. I've not heard from LSI yet on what that on what they'll be increasing our contract by. For this projection, I used a 3.2% increase. For projected decreases in expenses, I'm estimating a staffing decrease of 42,000. Our 63024 net position was 696,000. We budgeted for a current year deficit of 130,000. So our projected 63026 fund balance would be 381,000.
065Lastly is the other enterprise or driver's ed fund and we budget for an equal amount of revenue and expenses. So we price drivers ed so we about break even on that. Our 63024 net position was about 40,000 in this fund and that's all I have. Proposed budget will be presented in July. Final adoption September. questions from the board. So, on slide 10, I was just wondering about u the staffing increase. I see a staffing increase. Um that's probably be due to new staff being added for special programs that are going to be forthcoming as by the department of ed. Just wondering about that under Janet or special ed. Yeah, it's under special ed. Yes, we're adding one teacher, two a two EAS and one counselor just due to the increase in fed students. Okay, I
066see. Thank you. Some of the estimates that you've made for the future, are they based on what we've done here or do you talk to other schools about what they are doing in these areas of guesstimating the future? Um, it's more so what we've seen here. Um, but other schools are in a similar situation to us. Do you know how many employees we still have in the food service versus our contracted service? I believe we have about 20 full-time staff still that are still with us working for them. We have about 20 full-time that we still employ. Yeah. Um I'm not sure how many they employ. more of a broader question here with all the rumblings on what's happening with funding and how this might look with state funding and all that stuff. Are you
067um able are you getting proper guidance on this from wherever you might receive the guidance from? Um I believe so. It's kind of up in the air but received from a yeah the federal revenue we don't know that changes October one correct so the bond issue for new central which is old central goes away so that's a savings for the taxpayers Yes. As long as our valuation hasn't increased. Correct. I I know that game very well. But, you know, as I mentioned, I mean, I've said before, I mean, I um appreciate the information, but the money is only going to go so far in the next couple years, especially if the state doesn't allow more funding. So, I I think at sometime this board's going to have to at least talk about other options for
068for revenue. I mean, I can't I can't do magic and I don't know where what we're going to do and I hate I've been through the cuts of people. Uh I went through that when we reduced I don't know 18 or 20 positions. It wasn't great. Wasn't fun at all. It was terrible. So, uh anyway, I think we got our work to do in the next couple years. So, And I really really know when you look at our fund balance on the deterioration for the last six or seven years, we've had some big chunks going down. And I think this is a sign of we need to take a look at the future very carefully and how we can correct that. you know, unless there's more children in the pipeline, which I don't hear is
069the case, um, I think it's just going to be tough sluting for us for the next couple years to figure out how to balance the budget. Further questions regarding the budget. I would accept a motion for approval. Who makes that motion? Motion by all second by Olen. All those in favor of accepting the 202526 preliminary budget signify by saying I. I. Same sign. Thank you. Thanks for your work. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. The next items on the agenda are a series of items that are coming from the South Dakota High School Activities Association. Uh these are recommendations that come from various subgroups that are part of the activity association. There are five amendments that we're going to walk through this evening. Um these did come from support of their various subgroups that they do
070have as well as the board of directors who just recently met. So the first one is amendment number one. Uh this one is some cleanup language that uh cleans up language for schools that are now maybe on a trimester schedule. The previous language simply addressed semesters but there are a few schools that are on trimesters. Move approval of amendment one. Motion on motion second by Dr. All those in favor of amendment one signify by saying I. I. Same sign. Okay. Amendment two provides um consistent language between middle school and high school participation. There's a few students who do um petition up as middle school students and this clarifies the um amount of time that they're able to play. I move approval as for for approval. A motion on the floor by Olsen for approval. Second.
071Second by Murphy. Further discussion. None. All those in approved approval for second amendment signify by saying I. I. Thank you. Amendment three um provides some clarity in regards to um out of district moves and what a bonafide move would would look like. Uh this clarifies that that move would need to be outside of the boundaries of a school district's school district of the original residence or attendance center by Dr. Bortnham. Second by Olson. Any further discussion related to amendment three? I think this is a good amendment myself. Any further comments? See none. All those in favor of amendment three signify by saying I. I oppose. Same sign. Okay. Okay, amendment four. Uh, again, some clarity for districts that have a little bit different schedule. There were some districts that were on a 4-day week, some
072districts are on a 5-day week, some districts are on a blended four and five day week. Uh, the current language specifically talks about how many weeks a student may have to sit out. And this uh clarifies what that sit out period would look like regardless of what your school calendar looks like. So, moved by Murphy, second by all. Any further discussion? Amendment four. This applies to private schools also. It does. Yes. Equally. Yes. Okay. The other thing I forgot to mention about amendment four, this one also clarifies um you need to move into the district before the start of the school year. There are some sports that games that have started before the start of a school year. So, if there's a a team that we'll use soccer as an example, uh this determines um
073you need to be in your location when that roster is established, not necessarily the start of school. That would prevent bouncing around from school to school. Any further discussion or comments? See? None. All those in favor of amendment four signify by saying I. The same sign. Amendment five uh requires if there is a student that is transferring from one school to another that they happen to have a pending or an ongoing suspension that the um sending school must notify the receiving school of the suspension. We didn't do that before. Apparently not. My question was this dates my history. Does that also apply to a student transferring in from out of state to our state? I don't think we can govern what other states do because there was a situation where a kid transferred from out
074of state to instate and that student was in trouble. Part of the reason I think they transferred is because of that. But it'd be nice to know those types of things. And I I know we can't legislate that probably, but um and it doesn't require the enforcement of that into the new school, just that they have to be notified. Yes. Yeah. It's up to the school. Yeah. To make that determination. Hope they do the right thing. I move approval of that amendment on the floor by Olsson, second by Murphy. Any further discussion related to amendment five? All those in favor signify by saying I same time. Y okay. Uh now moving on to the election of future board members. The first one is the small school board. Um Billy Clanton is running unopposed from the
075Harding County School District. We would recommend voting for moved by second by Dr. Borum. All those in favor of the small school board education representative by saying I I sign. The next one is the East River at large representative. Uh our very own assistant principal Dr. Tina Bour is running for this position. We would recommend Dr. Tina Bour. So moved. Second by Murphy. Second by all. All those in favor of Dr. Bard serving on the East River at large representative signify by saying I. I. Okay. And then district one has to is must either be a Sou Falls or a Rapid City individual. Uh Coach Syler and I did meet to talk about these and we are recommending Steve Moore from Sou Falls to represent district excuse me division one. So moved motion on the
076floor by Olsen second by all those in favor of Mr. Mo as the division one representative signify by saying I. All right. And uh coach Tyler and I would recommend uh for division two uh Jeff Shehan from Hamlin High School. His strong connections back to northeast South Dakota uh has also been very involved coaching and managing athletic programs. So moved by Murphy, second by Dr. Borton. Any further discussion? My only comment would be it's it's a little bit alarming to see the turnover of four individuals on that board. um having previously served on it as Mr. Murphy did too, it it takes a year or two to kind of figure things out usually. But anyway, there's nothing we can do about that, but hopefully these these individuals are prepared to do what they need to
077do. So, how many are on the board? There was nine. I don't know. Nine if I remember right. That is a big chunk. It is. I think that was 50%. Like I said, I I found it to take a year or two to kind of figure out where your seat was. All right. All those in favor of Mr. Shehan representing division two signify by saying I I same time. Thank you very much. See nothing in front of us as part of the agenda goes, I'd ask for a motion for adjournment by Olson, second by all. All those in favor signify by saying I. I.