Milbank School District  Hires an American Sign Language Interpreter

The Milbank School Board held its regular meeting on Monday, July 15.  Board members addressed a full agenda of budgetary matters, personnel updates, and student programs. The board approved the hiring of Alyssa Linaugh, a part-time American Sign Language interpreter. According to Superintendent Justin Downes, this is a position the district has long sought to fill. The role will align with the student’s needs. The board also accepted the resignation of longtime paraprofessional Kelly Whitsett and thanked her for her years of service. Whitsett is moving from the community.

The board approved the minutes from the June board meeting as well as bills pending from the 2024-2025 school year. The business manager’s financial report was accepted and a transfer of $700,000 from capital outlay to the general fund was approved. The board also approved the transfer of interest from capital outlay and the special education and bond funds to the general fund as per policy.

Contingency transfers and the adoption of the supplemental budget resolution to account for overspending on some functions were approved to ensure all departments are aligned for the upcoming fiscal year. The board then adjourned.  

Immediately following the regular meeting, Downes called the reorganization meeting to order. 

The meeting began with the reinstallation of board members Dick Schwandt and Annelies Seffrood.. No election was held due to only two petitions being circulated for the two open positions. Schwandt and Seffrood recited a pledge to uphold state laws and serve the community impartially. During the election of officers, Schwandt was re-elected as board president, and Amy Thue was re-elected vice president.

Discussion items included a conflict of interest disclosure, board policy review-G/H, open meeting laws which the South Dakota Secretary of State produced and the school will have available online.

Student Max Schulke and advisers Nikki Stengel and Robin Schuelke from Milbank’s Educators Rising chapter reported on their experience that included four other students at the national competition in Orlando, Florida, this past June. Although no awards were brought home due to an unresolved scoring discrepancy, they highlighted the educational value of breakout sessions on legal rights in teaching and innovative lesson design.

Mrs. Schuelke noted South Dakota’s strong presence at the event, which included national recognition for state leaders and high student participation. Students also gained exposure to colleges and peers from across the country.

The board approved the consent agenda: 1. Establish the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. as the date and time for regular board meetings.  2. Approve bills for 2025-2026 presented for payment. 3. Approve the bonds of the business manager. 4. Designate the business manager to invest and reinvest school district funds within statutory limits as deemed necessary. 5. Designate First Bank & Trust, First Interstate Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank as official school district depositories for FY26 and authorize continuation of existing funds and accounts and, if  necessary, to also establish new accounts. 6. Designate Grant County Review as the official district newspaper for 2025-2026. 7. Authorize renewal of membership in ASBSD for 2025-2026 school year for $2,276.14. 8. Authorize renewal of membership in South Dakota United Schools Association for 2025-2026 for $500. 9. Authorize continuation of existing district funds and accounts and appoint the business manager as custodian of all school district funds and as the administrator of custodial accounts. 10. Appoint the superintendent as the authorized representative for federal programs and other forms/documents on behalf of the school district. 11. Approve participation in the School Lunch/Breakfast program and appoint the business manager as the authorized representative for 2025-2026. 12. Authorize the superintendent to close the school in the event of inclement weather or an emergency. 13. Designate Rodney Freeman, Jackson Schwandt, and KSB as the school district’s attorneys.

Board compensation for 2025-2026 remains unchanged. The rate paid is $140 per meeting for each member and $165 for the president. (The allowable maximum is $166.)

Updated rates and fees for the coming year were approved, including increases in adult meal prices based on federal reimbursement tools. Breakfast will be $2.60 for K-12 students and $3.00 for adults. Lunch will be $3.95 for K-5, $4.10 for 6-12 grades, and the adult lunch price will be $5.00. Milk price remains at  $.50. 

The admission price for all activities are $5 for adults and $3 for students– with the exception of doubleheaders ($6 and $4), Prom Grand March and Homecoming Coronation admission is $2. Activity tickets for grades 1-8 are $20, and high school is $25. Adult 10-punch passes are $40. Adult season passes are $100. An annual Golden Age Pass for $25 for those age 65 and over. 

Yearbook prices are $20 for elementary, $23 for middle school, and $45 for high school.

Schwandt was selected to serve as a liaison between the school and Associated School Boards of South Dakota ( ASBSD). He has served in this capacity for the past several years.

Substitute pay rates were set at $110 for non-certified teachers and $120 for certified teachers.  Hourly pay is $15 per hour. Nurse substitute pay will increase from $20 to $25 per hour. Downes commented that the district struggles to find nurses to fill in. 

The board approved open enrollment applications for eight new students, including three third graders, one fifth grader, one sixth grader, two seventh graders, and one tenth grader.

Lane changes were approved for Jackson Graf, Brian Pauli, Becky Johnson and Ryan Conrad.

The board approved policy updates for Sections E and F with minor changes noted. Discussion included clarifying how extracurricular activities should proceed during weather-related school cancellations. The board agreed that administrative discretion would remain in place for those decisions.

Board members also approved the formation of a new Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA )chapter at the high school. Sarah Koepke was hired as the chapter’s first adviser. This program was formerly known as FHA.

In the superintendent’s report, Downes reminded the board of the upcoming annual Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) convention in Sioux Falls from August 7- 8. 

Downes reported on ongoing summer maintenance. The wooden gym floors have been waxed, but gym floor issues in the CTE gym are being re-evaluated due to peeling paint from improper application. Hasslen is planning to bring in a new contractor to address the issue.

Downes reported that the contractor is expected to do the roof repairs soon. He also noted that the football field acquired a problem with weeds, but it has been reseeded in some areas, and regrowth is starting. Cleaning and painting projects are ongoing throughout the district’s buildings to prepare for staff and students.

Downes stated that this year’s P-card (purchasing or procurement card) rebate is $1,163. The rebates are a benefit of using the system for everyday purchases and streamlining the process,  thereby reducing paperwork.

Three Milbank paraprofessionals have been accepted into South Dakota’s teacher apprenticeship program this year – Cody Johnson, Judy Shakespaere, and Connor Bender.  Downes noted, “We are down about  400 teachers across South Dakota, and the state is investing in solutions to address teacher shortages. Each year, about 80 apprentices are allowed into the program; however, there is no guarantee of employment upon completing the program. The apprentices go into the pool just like everyone else.”

Downes confirmed that all buildings, vehicles, and grounds of the former Big Stone School have officially been transferred to the City of Big Stone as of June 30. The district awaits financial reimbursements totaling over $300,000.

Downes and Nancy Meyer, business manager for the district, noted there is a freeze on some Title funds. The district is waiting on Title II funds that would help pay for a Title I teacher. They are also waiting on migrant education funds. Last year, the district had $30,000  that helped to support supplemental materials and tutoring.

An update to school board elections was mentioned. According to the new law, elections must now be held either during the primary election in June or during the general election in November. 

The 2025-26 school year starts on August 19. Staff registration and training will begin prior to the arrival of students on that day. The board will consider the 2025-2026 calendar at a future meeting.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 11, at 6 p.m. at the high school.