Brandon Valley School District - Minutes
Brandon Valley School District
_________ Minutes _________
Brandon Valley Board of Education
The regular meeting of the Brandon Valley Board of Education, Brandon, SD was held at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th of May, 2020 at the Brandon Valley High School Community Room with the following members present: Renee Ullom, Gregg Ode, Dan Klumper (via phone), Ellie Saxer, and Gregg Talcott (via phone). Absent: none. Also present were Superintendent Jarod Larson, Business Manager Paul J. Lundberg (via phone), Brandon Valley Middle School Principal Brad Thorson (via phone), and Brandon Valley Middle School Assistant Principal Amanda Nelson (via phone).
Renee Ullom called the regular meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to approve the agenda as amended to correct General Item #5 from the rate of $55.00/hour to the rate $50.00/hour. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Klumper, Talcott, Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Administrative reports were presented. Superintendent Jarod Larson outlined the Sparta Elementary School construction timeline:
Spring 2020: Construction has begun
• Footing work and foundation walls in progress
• Collaborative BVSD and City of Sioux Falls Playground/Park Development/Expense Agreement in progress
Summer 2020: Naming Facilities Committee
Fall 2020: Elementary boundary line committee meets
2020-21 School year: Construction continues
Fall 2021: School opens
The 2020-21 Budget process is underway with budget forms/documents distributed on January 6, 2020. The Business Office has compiled and reviewed all budgets in March 2020 and these budgets have been returned to all schools for summer requisition preparation. The 5-year plan was presented at the February 24, 2020 Board of Education meeting. On March 9, 2020, the preliminary Capital Outlay budget was presented for approval in order for major items to be bid in a timely manner. A preliminary budget was presented on May 11, 2020 and in July 2020, we will hold the public budget hearing for potential action.
The Child Nutrition Services Department is planning a “Lynx Lunch Express”. This is a mobile feeding unit and a bus has been outfitted with a generator and air conditioner for this purpose and a Visual Art (wrap) of the bus has been completed. A transfer of this asset to the Child Nutrition Services Department will be presented under General Business on tonight’s agenda. The plan is for the “Lynx Lunch Express” to visit portions of our School District which have been identified by census data for eligibility for summer lunch programs.
Superintendent Jarod Larson updated the Board of Education on the Child Nutrition Services Shared Services Program. The purpose of this CNS Shared Services program is to enhance and improve the Brandon Valley CNS program, all while supporting and providing industry expert leadership and service to neighboring rural school districts. This will allow BVSD to obtain a Registered Dietician and provide shared services to participants. This will also provide CNS Directorship services to these small districts in need of industry expert leadership, allowing approximately one day per week of CNS Director time allocated to participants, approximately one day per week of Registered Dietician time allocated to participants, while allowing BVSD to gain three additional days per week of CNS support and leadership. This program will enhance BVSD CNS productions and services, increase training opportunities, and increase community education nutrition offerings and services. The participating South Dakota School Districts are as follows: Chester Area, Colman-Egan, Deubrook, Howard, Lake Preston, Menno, Montrose, Oldham Ramona, Rutland, and Sioux Valley. Each of the participating school districts has provided a “letter of commitment” to participate in the shared services program with the annual $2,000 fee for the two-year pilot. The group will be utilizing a $75,000 “Share Our Strength” Grant for each school year 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. We anticipate all annual program expenses would be paid by this grant and participant fees.
COVID-19 CARES Act Funding has been in the news lately. This is a funding allocation provided to each school based on Title I funding. We have only received preliminary information thus far. A basic overview from the US and South Dakota Department of Education is for funding the prevention, preparing, and responding to COVID-19. It will focus on budget needs and student learning recovery and advancement. We are still awaiting the Brandon Valley School District allocation from the South Dakota Department of Education. The school district has through 2022 to use these allocated funds.
COVID-19 Update. Superintendent Larson continues to send staff/parent/community emails with COVID-19 Information as well as maintaining the BVSD COVID-19 Website as the Central Community hub for the Distance Learning Plans and Grab & Go Lunch updates. During the week of May 18th, the Distance Learning Plans web-site focused on relationships, recovery and return with a K-6th grade drive-through goodbye and computer return.
Grab & Go lunch distribution will continue a week’s full of meals one day a week only (continuing through the month of June) to reduce exposure to staff and students while maintaining the service. The Brandon Valley School District Pandemic Response Plan continues to prevent-prepare-mitigate-respond plan with two strategies: reduce the spread and sustain educational functions and operations. We will abide by recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Health.
With regard to the 2020 Graduation Ceremony, the Brandon Valley Administration utilized senior student and parent focus groups via a survey. The strategy going forward is as follows: Graduation postponed to Sunday, July 19, 2020 with a back-up date of Sunday, August 2, 2020 if needed. If the August 2, 2020 doesn’t allow for an in-person ceremony, a Virtual Graduation will be held on August 2, 2020.
The summer 2020 – return to school plan, phase I running from June 1-30, 2020 can be found on the following link: https://brandonvalley.k12.sd.us/covid/Summer2020.html
Motion by Talcott, seconded by Saxer to approve the following General Business:
Approve the Brandon Valley School District 2020-21 Comprehensive Plan for Special Education as presented.
Approve the 2020-21 Associated School Boards of South Dakota dues in the amount of $4,764.74.
Approve the South Dakota Department of Education Notification of School Closing with Plan to Instruct during Closing, March 16, 2020 to May 22, 2020.
Approve transfer of asset (2011 Thomas School Bus) to the Brandon Valley School District Child Nutrition Services, for the depreciated value of $5,360.00, effective May 27, 2020.
Approve service contract by and between the Brandon Valley School District and Pamela Hedman for Extended School Year (ESY) Speech/Language Therapy services, at a rate of $50.00/hour, effective June 8, 2020 through August 16, 2020, as presented.
Approve Share Our Strength – Shared Child Nutrition Services Grant for $75,000, effective May 11, 2020 through June 30, 2021.
Approve administrative recommendation for the refunding of half of the 2019-20 semester two bus pass fee and one-fourth of the 2019-20 Grade 12 parking fee.
Approve Brandon Valley School District #49-2 Petition for a Residency Exception effective for the 2020-21 school year (#21-001), as presented.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Talcott, Saxer, Ode, Klumper, Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to accept the resignation of Dan Klumper, Brandon Valley Board of Education member, effective June 5, 2020. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Talcott, Ullom; Abstain: Klumper; Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Talcott to approve the following personnel items:
Approve resignation of Kathryn Pope, BVIS Special Education Educational Assistant, effective May 22, 2020.
Approve recommendation to hire Hayley Schacht, FAE Third Grade Teacher, MA Step 6 ~ $49,390.00, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
Accept resignation/retirement notification from Anita Hume, Child Nutrition Services, RBE Head Cook, effective May 22, 2020.
Approve resignation of Joshua Postin, RBE Night Custodian, effective May 22, 2020.
Approve recommendation to hire Adam Olson, BVHS Custodial Supervisor, $17.49/hour, effective May 27, 2020.
Approve recommendation to hire Emily Harris, Elementary Pool Teacher Position, BA Step Base ~ $46,754.00, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
Approve recommendation to hire Chad Schaeffer, BVMS Smart Lab Facilitator, MA+15 Step 10 ~ $51,322.00, effective for the 2020-21 school year.
Approve resignation of Noah Leners, BVHS Special Education Educational Assistant, effective May 22, 2020.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Talcott, Ode, Klumper, Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
The following communications were presented from the Central Office and Board of Education:
Thank you from Andy Johnson for years of service certificate and gift card.
Thank you from Jolene Roozenboom for the years of service gift card and continued payment during the COVID-19 closure.
Thank you from Debbie Arrowsmith for the retirement bell.
Thank you from Jeff and Leah Lockner for years of service certificate and gift card.
Thank you from Susan Nifong, Jolene Weber and Susan Fritz for compensation during the COVID-19 closure.
Thank you from Susan Nifong for staff virtual banquet and years of service gift card.
Thank you from Laurie Adams for Sunshine gift card for years of service recognition.
Thank you from Kim Becker for Sunshine gift card for years of service recognition.
Board reports were presented. Board Vice President Gregg Ode reported on the Building & Grounds Committee. Ode recently toured the new site for the Elementary School being built on Sparta Avenue in Sioux Falls. He was pleased to report that there has been no delays thus far with weather or materials.
President Renee Ullom reported on the Alternative Education Committee and a recent Teachwell meeting. Teachwell has signed a contract on a new building and also reviewed current and new programming.
Travel reports were reviewed.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to go into Executive Session at 6:47 p.m. per SDCL 1-25-2.1 ~ Personnel and SDCL 1-25-2(4) ~ Superintendent Contract Negotiations for the school year 2020-21. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Talcott, Klumper, and Ullom. Voting nay: None. Motion carried.
The Board of Education came out of Executive Session and into Open Session at 7:58 p.m.
Motion by Ode, seconded by Saxer to approve the following School Board Appointment Process:
Eligible candidates are to submit a letter of interest by Thursday, June 4, 2020 to Board President Renee Ullom at the Brandon Valley Administration Center.
The announcement of vacancy will be included on the district website, included in district-wide communications, and placed in the legal newspaper.
Letters of interest may be submitted via postal mail, via email to Renee.Ullom@k12.sd.us, or in-person
The letter of interest should outline the following:
• Why are you interested in School Board appointment?
• Describe your passion for public education?
• What key attributes would you bring to the governance team?
At the Monday, June 8, 2020 Board of Education Meeting the board, in executive session, will review letters of interest and discuss candidates.
At the Monday, June 8, 2020 Board of Education Meeting, in open session, the board will take action on the next step in the appointment process.
For more information, contact a Brandon Valley Board of Education Member.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Ode, Saxer, Klumper, Talcott, and Ullom. Voting nay: None. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Ode to approve the following Superintendent contact negotiations for the school year 2020-21 as follows:
2.2% Salary Increase
One-time wage/salary enhancement of $1,500 to be paid with the November 2020 payroll.
All other contractual components remain in effect
The above salary increase and salary enhancement for the 2020-21 Superintendent Contract Negotiations is subject to renegotiation in the event of a Special Legislative Session that reduces revenue for FY21.
On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Ode, Klumper, Talcott, and Ullom; voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Motion by Saxer, seconded by Klumper to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m. On a roll call vote, the following voted aye: Saxer, Klumper, Ode, Talcott, and Ullom. Voting nay: none. Motion carried.
Signed
Business Manager
Approved by the Board of Education this 8th day of June, 2020
Signed
Chairperson
Published once at a cost of $124.34.
June 3, 2020
