Milbank School District Approves Purchase of 2018 Activity Bus

The Milbank School District Board of Education approved an amended contract with DeFea Transportation for the purchase of a new bus. The consent was obtained during the regular meeting of the board on Wednesday, October 11.

Under the agreement, DeFea Transportation will own the 2018 Freightliner 52-passenger coach bus. The district will pay half the cost.

The bus will be used as the primary bus for all student activities, including athletics, FFA, band, chorus, debate, and field trips. “This bus is not just for athletics, but will be utilized whenever possible for all trips,” stated Superintendent Tim Graf. The district will have the option of buying the activity bus for 50 percent of the actual cash value at the end of the contract ending June 30, 2022.

The board also approved the second reading of the crisis management plan. The plan includes the new lockdown policy.

The first draft of the proposed school calendar for the 2018-2019 school year was presented. Currently there are 181 days scheduled. “We have an extra day in the calendar,” noted Graf. “We are talking with the MEA to discuss the many options for that extra day.”

The board also agreed to gather information using a facility audit and study of Koch School. “ACE Consulting (Associated Consulting Engineers) is primarily a group of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers out of Sioux Falls who will give us an estimate of what it would take to bring the building up to current standards,” explained Graf. “They will also be doing other work in the Milbank area that could lead to some savings and efficiencies. Once the board receives initial information back from ACE, they will determine if they will look further at educational programming and/or facility shortcomings.”

Two open enrollment applications were approved for students from the Ortonville and Big Stone School Districts. Mrs. Robin Simmons and Mr. Eric Townsend explained their Global Read Aloud Program during the School Spotlight discussion.

Reports were given by Amy Brandriet, Koch School principal; Keri Schliesman, elementary special education director; Kris Evje, middle school principal and special services director; Dan Snaza, high school principal; and Graf, superintendent.

Graf reported the final enrollment number for this school year is 958 students. That number is used for state aid.

The November board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 13, at 6 p.m. The meeting includes a new staff meet-and-greet at 5:30 p.m.