Brandon Valley School District: May 5
_________ Minutes _________
The regular meeting of the Brandon Valley Board of Education, Brandon, SD was held at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th of April, 2021 at the Brandon Valley High School Community Room with the following members present: Renee Ullom, Ellie Saxer, Gregg Talcott, and Nick Scott (via phone). Absent: Gregg Ode. Also present were Superintendent Jarod Larson, Business Manager Paul Lundberg, Brandon Valley High School Principal Mark Schlekeway, Brandon Valley High School Assistant Principal Bill Freking, Brandon Valley Middle School Principal Brad Thorson, Brandon Valley Intermediate School Principal Nick Skibsted, Brandon Valley Intermediate Assistant Principal Rick Pearson, Special Service Director Kyle Babb, and Director of Instruction Sherri Nelson.
Renee Ullom called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Talcott to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Administrative reports were presented. Superintendent Jarod Larson outlined the Inspiration Elementary School construction timeline:
Spring 2020:
° Construction in progress
° Collaborative BVSD/Sioux Falls Playground/Park Development/Expense Agreement ($336,823)
Fall 2020: Naming Facilities Committee: November 23, 2020 recommendation; Process completed
Fall 2020: Elementary boundary line committee: Process completed
2020-21 School year: Construction continues
Fall 2021: School opens (July 31, 2021: Substantial Completion; August 13, 2021: Punch List Completed)
The new elementary school staffing continues, with a majority of the teaching staff hiring (regular and special education) complete. All encore staffing will be provided through other building shared staff while the Classified staff assignments/hiring is in progress.
The 2021-22 Budget process is on-going. The Business Office has reviewed and compiled completed budget requests, returning them to each building/department. In February 2021, the 5-year plan was presented, and at the March 8, 2021 regular Board of Education meeting, the preliminary Capital Outlay budget was presented and approved for major items to be bid in a timely manner. In May 2021, we will hold a preliminary budget presentation and in July 2021, we will hold the public budget hearing.
Dr. Jarod Larson reviewed the updated COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan. The CDC/SD DOH Close Contact Quarantine Update protocols include two alternative timelines for 7-day and 10-day quarantine that both require specific criteria. Quarters 3 and 4 COVID-19 restrictions remain the same as Quarters 1 and 2 of the 2020-21 school year; Summer 2021 Facility Use COVID-19 restrictions, beginning June 1st , will allow buildings to be open to all Brandon Valley students and staff. A Pandemic Response Planning Committee has been reinstituted for the week of July 12, 2021 and any necessary mitigation strategies/plans will be finalized the week of August 2, 2021.
Professional Awards and Staff Recognition Banquet will be held “virtually” on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. through Alliance Communications via the LYNX channel. The 2020-21 Brandon Valley School District Teacher of the Year is identified as EVERY teacher from the 2020 school year! Because of the unusual circumstances of COVID and the extraordinary efforts put forth by all staff, we want to honor and thank all BV staff! A special thank you to the First National Bank for sponsoring our Teacher of the Year banquet, along with the Brandon Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and Bill Miller for making this banquet a “virtual” reality!
The 2021-22 Brandon Valley Distance Learning Academy will continue as follows: Grades K-4: Brandon Valley Teachers/Platform; Grades 5-12: SD Virtual School (5-6 Black Hills On-line Learning/7-12 SD Virtual School).
Brandon Valley High School addition priorities continue to be reviewed and discussed as follows:
- General Classrooms, Ground Floor Special Education, Science Lab Classrooms, Maximize Land Usage/ Upgrade East Facility Face, Minimize Impact to parking.
The tentative BVHS Addition timeline is as follows:
- Preliminary planning in-progress: Preliminary planning with the Building and Grounds Board Committee, Central Office Administration and BVHS Administration
- Fall 2021 – Information sharing as follows: Community with Board of Education, Administrative Council, Teacher Liaison Council, Classified Council, and the Brandon Valley High School Staff
- Winter 2022 – Bid the project
- Spring/Summer 2022 – BVHS Addition begins
- 2022-2023 School year – Construction in-progress
- Fall 2023 – Addition opens
Information sharing regarding the BVHS Addition begins with preliminary planning (in-progress) with Building and Grounds Committee, Central Office Administration and BVHS Administration. In the Fall of 2021, Communication will continue with the Board of Education, Administrative Council, Teacher Liaison Council, Classified Council, and the Brandon Valley High School Staff.
The 2021 Summer Lunch Program has been approved for June and July of 2021. The format will be “Grab & Go” on Tuesdays (5 breakfasts/lunches provided every Tuesday) from June 1 – July 27, 2021 with location(s) and time(s) to be announced. There will be lunch provided on-site for EL Summer School and Boys & Girls Club summer programs.
The USDA has approved the extension of the Waiver for Free Meals for the 2021-22 school year. South Dakota must “opt in” for schools to be eligible to participate and additional information will be provided as it becomes available. The “Share our Strength” grant has been confirmed for school year 2021-22. This grant covers the cost of the Registered Dietician while we, in turn, share services with our rural school district partners.
Current School Calendar items include the following: Sunday, May 16, 2021 ~ BVHS Graduation; Wednesday, May 19, 2021 ~ last day of school for students (2-hour early dismissal), Thursday, May 20, 2021 ~ Staff in-service day, and Friday, May 21, 2021 ~ Workshop day (extra paid day).
Superintendent Larson also presented updated pictures of work in progress for Inspiration Elementary School including Playground Concrete/Earth Work in-progress, Curb for playground tile surface, gravel base for asphalt playground surfaced, and lastly, a Kindergarten Wing – Flooring, and 1st-4th grade wing ceiling grid.
Director of Instruction, Sherri Nelson, presented the seven-year adoption of the JrK-12 English Language Arts Curriculum delivery model at a one-time cost of $1,159,221.39, effective with the 2021-22 school year. Motion by Talcott, seconded by Saxer to approve the seven-year JrK-12 English Language Arts Curriculum adoption as presented. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Scott to approve the following Personnel items:
1. Accept the resignation/retirement notification from Nancy Brown, BVMS Administrative Assistant, effective June 11, 2021.
2. Approve recommendation to hire Wanda Logan, long-term substitute for Kayla Richard, Inspiration Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher, on or around August 24 – September 10, 2021.
3. Approve resignation from Katie Rivers, Oral Interpretation Assistant Coach, contingent on finding a suitable replacement, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
4. Approve recommendation to hire Rebecca Munsch, FAE 4th Grade Teacher, MA Step 2 ~ $48,012.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year
5. Approve recommendation to hire Nina Ulrich, FAE Library Educational Assistant, full-time, $15.90/hour, effective August 25, 2021.
6. Approve recommendation to hire additional American Sign Language Interpreter (1.0 FTE) for the 2021-22 school year.
7. Approve recommendation to hire Samantha Hyronimus, BE Special Education Teacher, BA Step 2 ~ $47,361.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
8. Approve recommendation to hire Craig Nelson, K-12 Health/PE Teacher, MA+30 Step 10 ~ $51,767.00; Head Boys Basketball Coach, 16% of Extra-curricular Step 9 ~ $7,001.00; Head Girls Golf Coach, 12.5% of Extra-curricular Step 9 ~ $5,470.00; total contract: $64,238.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
9. Approve recommendation to hire Kate Kirkebak, FAE Reading Interventionist, 86% of BA Step Base ~ $40,208.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
10. Approve recommendation to hire Ivy Sieperda, BE Art Teacher, BA Step 1 ~ $47,054.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
11. Approve recommendation to hire Marie Gosse, STEM Technology/Integrationist, MA Step 10 ~ $50,905.00; 3-day extended contract ~ $844.00; total contract: $51,749.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
12. Approve resignation from Thomas Sundling, BVHS COVID Educational Assistant, effective May 19, 2021.
13. Approve resignation of Brianna Postma, Assistant Girls Golf Coach, contingent on finding a suitable replacement, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
14. Approve recommendation to hire Lindsey Hale, Assistant Girls’ Soccer Coach, 8% of Extra-curricular Step Base ~ $3,459.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
15. Approve recommendation to hire John Flint, Assistant Freshman Football Coach, 8% of Extra-curricular Step 7 ~ $3,440.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year
16. Approve recommendation to hire Cody Linneweber, Assistant Boys’ Golf Coach, 6.5% of Extra-curricular Step Base ~ $2,645.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year
17. Approve recommendation to hire Devon Melillo, BVMS Band Teacher, BA Step 1 ~ $47,054.00; Middle School Band, 7.5% of Extra-curricular Step 1 ~ $3,074.00; Assistant HS Marching Band, 10% of Extra- curricular Step 6 ~ $4,263.00; total contract: $54,391.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
18. Approve recommendation to hire Clarissa Lindstad, BVMS Life Science Teacher, BA Step Base ~ $46,754.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
19. Approve recommendation to hire Lisa Fuccello, BVHS HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) Advisor, 5.5% of Extra-curricular Step Base ~ $2,238.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
20. Approve recommendation to hire Chad Nelson, BVHS Art Club Advisor, 4.5% of Extra-curricular Step Base ~ $1,831.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
21. Accept the resignation/retirement notification from Kevin Brick, Performing Arts Center (PAC) Manager, effective June 30, 2021.
22. Approve recommendation to hire Maxwell Larsen, BVMS Life Science Teacher, BA Step Base ~ $46,754.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
23. Approve resignation of Katee Lane, Fall Sideline Cheer Advisor, contingent on finding a suitable replacement, effective at the end of the 2020-21 school year.
24. Approve amended start date for new Assistant Technology Coordinator from July 1, 2021 to June 1, 2021, as presented.
25. Approve recommendation to hire Evan Hacker, Assistant Technology Coordinator, full-time ~ $42,500.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
26. Approve recommendation to hire Jody Lambert (through employment recall), BE Reading Interventionist ~ $45,135.00, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
(Information Only):
27. Transfer Traci Rohmiller from BE Special Education Educational Assistant to BE General Educational Assistant, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
28. Transfer Sherri Pickthorn from FAE Special Education Educational Assistant to FAE General Educational Assistant, effective for the 2021-22 school year.
Motion carried.
Superintendent Larson acknowledged a recent gift from Greg and Sherry Carmen. The Carmen’s donated a pink “breast cancer awareness” guitar signed by music artist Carrie Underwood. This guitar will be prominently displayed in the Brandon Valley High School with special help from Tom Grode’s Woods Class providing a case to showplace this special gift! Thank you, Greg and Sherry!
Board reports were heard. Board member Ellie Saxer reported on a recent Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) State Executive Board Retreat. Review items included legislative bills that were recently passed and also what is on the horizon. They also asked that school districts “hold” any home school enrollments for students requesting any activity involvement until specifics are released at the state level. The executive board also discussed how to get further involved in the next legislative session and how best to proactively support our state legislators. Saxer reminded everyone to please check out the ASBSD web-site for award nominations. Saxer was also proud to share Brandon Valley’s 6% wage increase as “good news” from our District to the ASBSD.
Motion by Talcott, seconded by Saxer to adjourn at meeting at 6:56 p.m. Motion carried.
Signed
Business Manager
Approved by the Board of Education this 10th day of May 2021
Signed
Published at the approximate cost of $123.11.
May 5, 2021
