Monday Meeting Recap
After calling Monday’s Board of Education meeting to order and offering a time for public forum, the Wessington Springs School Board went into executive session for personnel.
Once in regular session, the board approved the agenda as proposed as well as the meeting minutes from June 10, 2024.
Following the business manager’s financial report and approving bills presented for payment the oath of office was administered to install new board members Gene Gaikowski, Jonathan Arhart and Scott Kolousek. Dustin Weber was elected as the board chairperson and Derek Zastrow was elected as vice chairperson.
The following appointments for board standing committees were made:
Budget, Insurance and Negotiations - Sara Thompson, Dustin Weber, Derek Zastrow
Buildings, Grounds and Operations - Gene Gaikowski, Darrick Van Dyke, Dustin Weber
Policy and Emergency Management - Jonathan Arhart, Scott Kolousek, Derek Zastrow
Curriculum, Instruction and Technology - Gene Gaikowski, Sara Thompson, Darrick Van Dyke
Legislation/ASBSD - Dustin Weber
CORE/MCEC Representative & alternate - Dustin Weber, alternate - Jonathan Arhart
The board once again set the time and place for regular school board meetings: the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
Open enrollments were then approved and surplus items were discussed. The primary surplus items are from the vo-ag shop as well as out of date computers.
Being the start of the fiscal year, the school designated the following: American Bank & Trust as official depository of district funds, Rodney Freeman as official school attorney and True Dakotan as official legal newspaper. The board also moved to take care of the following:
Authorize Business Manager to use signature stamps and/or check signing in SUI software for signing warrants
Authorize continuation of existing district funds or accounts and appoint Business Manager as administrator of Custodial Fund 71
Appoint Superintendent as Federal Projects Director and the Business Manager as Authorized Representative and approve participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program for the 2024-25 school year
Authorize the Superintendent to close school in the event of an emergency or inclement weather
School volunteers involved in coaching, after-school program, preschool program and classroom activities/field trips to be covered by Workmen’s Comp
Authorize the Imprest Fund to be used for official’s salary, mileage/gas, dues and fees, group meal allowances, postage, government documents, lodging and supplies and equipment (only when necessary)
Approve 2024-25 LEA Comprehensive Plan
A public hearing was scheduled at 7:30 p.m. for the proposed budget for FY 2025 school year, followed by a discussion about rates for the 2024-2025 school year. Lunch rates all increased to the following recommended levels except for adult lunches, which were increased to $5.25:
PK-4 $2.70 (recommend $2.85/meal)
5-12 $3.00 (recommend $3.15/meal)
Seconds $2.15 (recommend $2.30/meal)
Milk $0.75
Adults $5.00 (recommend $5.15)
Driver’s education rates increased from $200 to $250 in district and from $400 to $450 out-of-district.
The second reading for Policy KG: Community Use of School Facilities was next up on the agenda and was approved.
The building committee update was up next and former School Board Chairman Todd Grohs, who was sitting in the audience, said that mock ups for rec center building signage is underway.
During the building committee update, the conversation turns to rates for the fitness center. A rate of $60 per household and a veteran / 65 and older rate of $35.
Scott Kolousek said that at a recent Build Springs Committee meeting, members of the Build Spring board would like to see it lowered to $50 per household and a veteran / 65 and older rate of $25. He said the board feels it would be appealing to the public.
Sara Thompson then said, “I think it could even go lower, to $40 - and $25.”
The board then made the motion and approve the rates of $40 an $25 as mentioned. Kristi Hine, Editor/Publisher of the True Dakotan raised her hand from the audience and when called on, addressed the board. She asked if the agenda had been amended because rec center rates were not on the agenda. She then explained that public boards are not allowed to discuss or take action on any item not on the agenda.
Derrick Van Dyke the brought up the topic of accountability in the rec center.
“People need to be held accountable if mad is drug in or something spills. Maybe we can have a spill kit,” he said.
Business Manager Macy Argo mentioned that the custodian does spend a lot of time in the fitness center as it is already.
Dustin Weber mentioned that oftentimes, weight arena’t being out back in their place.
Jason Kolousek, Athletic Director said the coaches and student athletes. Are working on getting the weights put away. He then continued about pricing.
“Prices are chasing away who we need in there. Our athletes. Forty dollars is too much and there are some that can’t afford it,” he said. “It seems like we’re doing opposite of what was meant for the facility.”
The board and Kolousek then brought up a discussion about parents of student athletes being able to obtain a fob to the rec center for free if only the student athlete would be using the facility.
They continued the discussion about needing an adult in the facility to supervise students. While coaches are present for workouts in the morning, student athletes who can’t make it at that time or may be working have to find a parent or another supervisory adult to be at the race center during workouts. A discussion about possibly hiring someone to supervise was held but no decisions were made at that time.
Moving to the superintendent report, Dr. Michael Ormsmith said they have a couple of business manager interviews this week but the junior high football coach, assistant and head volleyball coach positions have no applicants.
A change in bus transportation was brought up. This year, it is proposed that parents will have to list a primary and secondary drop off location to help the school organize better and get transportation under control.
Concerns about preschoolers and other young students were brought up.
Jason Kolousek said the will work on a solution for the board to consider.
The board then moved into executive session for personnel and school safety.