School board hears proposed policies, academic calendar

Superintendent Jarod Larson was absent last week from his first ever board of education meeting in his entire career to date.

But the leader of Brandon Valley Schools had good reason: He was attending a conference to gain insight on technical education programs.

While Larson was not physically at the Jan. 13 meeting, in pre-recorded audio presentations, he enlightened board members on the proposed 2020-21 school calendar, board policies and upcoming negotiations with the Brandon Valley Education Association and more.

The school board got its first look at next year’s proposed calendar. Larson explained the calendar has been reviewed by administrators, the teacher liaison committee and the classified council, and remains consistent and corresponding to the current school year calendar. One snow day is built in, and all other missed days of school will be tacked on at the end of the school year.

The calendar will be presented to the board Jan. 27 for final adoption. 

 

Board policies

The board gave first readings to two policies, KGC – Tobacco-Free School, and FF – Facilities, planning and development.

The first policy deems the BVSD buildings and grounds as “100 percent tobacco-free at all times, for all persons,” regardless of age and whether they may legally use tobacco products. Use of any type of tobacco product on or in district parking lots, in district-owned vehicles and in personal vehicles located on school property is prohibited. 

Policy FF regards selecting a name for a new school. Until now, the district lacked the policy and its guidelines.

The policy directs the superintendent to form and facilitate a committee consisting of parents, teachers, administrators, school board building and grounds committee chair or another board member, community members and students. 

The policy stipulates school building names should be within one of the following categories:

• Donation of the land by a school district patron.

• Specific naming rights as outlined in the purchase agreement.

• Presidents of the United States.

• Persons who have achieved distinction in such fields as art, literature, music, education or science.

• Individuals who have made a significant contribution to society.

• Location of the school, its street or direction.

• Famous event or location.

The district’s forthcoming elementary, currently recognized as “Sparta Elementary,” will follow the policy process. Larson said a committee will be formed following the second reading and adoption at the board’s Jan. 27 meeting. The committee will meet in February to recommend a name, which the board will approve in April. 

Larson said the school could possibly remain “Sparta Elementary,” as location is a component of the building naming policy.

 

Supt. Larson’s report

The board was reminded of the Sparta Elementary construction timeline.

• Fall 2019/winter 2020: Construction planning meetings with administration, buildings and grounds committee and architect.

• February 2020: Bid the construction project.

• Spring 2020: Construction begins (as weather allows).

• Fall 2020: Elementary boundary line committee meets (new school will warrant change in elementary boundary lines).

• 2020-21 school year: Construction continues.

• Fall 2021: School opens.

The school board will have one vacancy this year when Ellie Saxer’s term expires in June. The open seat is a three-year term. Those interested in filing for election may begin circulating petitions April 7. Signed petitions must be at the Central Office no later than 5 p.m. May 8. Candidates must also file a financial interest statement within 15 days of filing their nominating petition.

The tentative timeline for 2020-21 negotiations/wage recommendations will begin with a pre-negotiations meeting between BVSD administration and BVEA in March, followed by negotiations between the personnel welfare committee and the BVEA. If all goes well, the board can expect to ratify the contract at their April 14 meeting. 

Larson reported the 2020-21 budget process is underway and the business office will compile and review by March. The board will hear the BVSD’s five-year plan in February, review the preliminary capital outlay budget in March and the preliminary budget in May. In July, a public budget hearing will be held, followed by board approval.

In other business, the school board:

• Approved a tuition agreement with the Sioux Falls School District and Technical Education Academy for one student, as needed, at $25.46 per hour, from Jan. 13 through the end of spring semester 2020.

• Hired the following personnel: Valerie Grieve, English Language Learner EA; Eric Perkinson, substitute for snow removal; James Linn, substitute bus/van driver; Kathy Tews, long-term substitute for Katie Murdy, BVHS counselor; Kelli DeBoer and Kristi Houser, BVHS child nutrition workers; Brittney Reiter, Brandon Elementary Jr. Kindergarten EA; Rhonda Bachmeier, custodial substitute; Michael “Shane” Weiland, BVHS evening custodian; Katie Johnson, custodial substitute; 

• Hired STEM teacher leaders, JoAnn Presler, Cassondra Shutes, Jayna Silvernail, Alyssa Johnson, Katee Lane, Tara Scholten, Mary Gile, Gina Sershen and Lisa Reinschmidt.

• Approved resignation/retirement for Sara (Kathy) Hunt, BVHS physical education; Kristine Sellers, Brandon Elementary Early Childhood teacher; and Debbie Arrowsmith, administrative assistant at Fred Assam Elementary. All three are effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year.

• Approved new position at Brandon Elementary for a part-time Jr. Kindergarten EA. This is a paid apprenticeship at $11 per hour for 15 hours per week.

• Approved transfer of Lexi Kobernusz from part-time Robert Bennis Elementary child nutrition worker to BVSD custodial substitute.

• Approved half-year lane change for Mariah Koch.

• Approved the hire of substitutes for the 2019-20 school year: Daniel Drake, Shelly Kolbeck, Lillian Lauesen and Katie Johnson.

• Adjourned until 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27.