BVSD explores joint turf project

A cooperative effort with school districts in Yankton and Mitchell could potentially turn into a cost-saving measure for the Brandon Valley School District. The trio of Eastern South Dakota Conference districts are all exploring artificial turf for their outdoor activity complexes. For BV, the artificial turf is one of the final pieces of improvements at the stadium. The track, concessions/restrooms, ticket booth, lighting and crow’s nest were all addressed in recent years.

Superintendent Dr. Jarod Larson updated the BV Board of Education on working cooperatively with Mitchell and Yankton at their Sept. 25 meeting.

“I would note that we have met with and are working unofficially with Yankton and Mitchell, who are also entertaining artificial turf for their outdoor activity complexes at this time,” Larson said.

The cooperative effort, he added, “could drive down costs to get the most advantageous possible bid,” in addition to using one engineer for all three projects.

The benefit of switching from a grass field to artificial turf, Larson said, is increased usability of the space.

The artificial turf project is tentatively planned to be completed prior to the start of the 2018 football season.

Larson said an early October meeting is planned with Yankton and Mitchell administrators. 

Larson also reported the construction project at Brandon Valley Middle School is ahead of schedule. Contractors are completing the final stages of the new middle school office and are closing out punch list items. Larson plans to present a more formalized update at the board’s Oct. 9 meeting. 

Reconfiguration of the former high school offices will also be addressed next year. Larson anticipates advertising bids for that project in January/February. 

Looking ahead, board member Cary Schroeder reported the district’s Facilities Review Committee will reorganize in the fall of 2018. Larson said the committee will assess the district’s future growth facility needs to provide non-binding recommendations to the board. Larson also said all of recommended projects from the 2013 Facility Review Committee have been addressed.

In addition to a variety of school personnel, a handful of district patrons will also be called on to serve on strategic planning focus groups. Larson has asked building principals to select two parents from their respective building to be part of the focus group, which will be tasked with developing district goals and action strategies to develop district goals and action strategies to further advance student outcomes. Focus groups will review student achievement data, patron survey data, academic research, current practices and best practices in education. 

Two public strategic planning meetings have been scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12 and April 24, 2018, which will be held in the BVHS Community Room.