School Board Considers Calendar Changes and Accepts Resignations

The Milbank School District Board of Education met Monday, October 13, for its regular monthly meeting. Superintendent Justin Downes and Dick Schwandt, president of the board, led the meeting. Board members present also included Amy Thue, Annelies Seffrood, and Jeremy Steffensen. Jon Christiansen was absent.

Calendar Options for the 2026-2027 School Year
Downes presented three potential calendar configurations for the 2026–2027 school year. He explained that Christmas and New Year’s Day will both fall favorably to facilitate a clean schedule using a 181-day contract. Three options are under consideration: one features a  traditional layout, one provides for a full week off for Thanksgiving, and the other allows for a weeklong spring break. He said the goal would be to have OST open during that week if school were closed. Downes noted he has met with the Milbank Education Association (MEA) to gather feedback.  He also reported the teachers’ suggestion for moving the inservice day on January 4 to sometime in April to break up a long stretch of school days A formal response from the MEA is expected before the November board meeting.

Snow Days
The board approved a snow-day plan that forgives the first two missed days and adds three additional days to the end of the school year if necessary. The makeup days would be  May 20, 21 and 22.  If additional days are needed, they will be determined at the April school board meeting. Downes quipped, “If the winter is as wet as the past summer, we’re in trouble!”

Approvals and Resignations
The board approved the minutes from the September meeting, along with the business manager’s financial report. They accepted the bills presented for payment. The approval was given for a promissory note for $180,000 to come from the general fund to finance capital outlay.

The board approved several personnel actions, including accepting the resignations of Jennifer Schulte, the middle school volleyball coach, and Amber Fraasch, a gymnastics coach. Teacher Nikki Evje resigned, effective at the end of the school year. 

Robin Schuelke, one of two Educators Rising advisers, resigned, effective immediately. Downes recommended allowing co-adviser Nicci Stengel to remain in place as the sole adviser for the rest of this school year. Up until now, the two had chosen to split the duties and the compensation. 

The board approved the hiring of Out of School Time (OST) workers Chris Peery, Maddie Parry, and Annabelle Schwenn. A supplemental contract for speech therapist Karla Kastrup was also approved.  

The board approved paying $20 per hour for a medication-certified substitute when registered nurses are not available. Downes stated, “We will always strive to get an RN in the building when any of our nurses are gone.” 

Sports volunteers approved: Toby Schneck and Tate Schlueter for boys varsity wrestling, Josh Schmeichel for girls wrestling, Owen Fisher and Brady Krause for middle school wrestling, and Nick Sipe for strength training.

Board member Annelies Seffrood was appointed to represent Milbank at the upcoming South Dakota School Board Association Delegate Assembly in November and again during the 2026 legislative session in February.

An open enrollment application was approved for a kindergarten student who applied and attended before student count day in September.

Reports
Elementary Principal Dave Graf reported that the first quarter ended successfully.  He praised staff for establishing strong routines and relationships with students. He noted, “Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for next Monday and Wednesday (October 20/22).” Graf  also acknowledged October is Fire Prevention Month, “We appreciate the Milbank Fire Department coming to the school every year and visiting with the kids.”

Special Education Director Andrea Hagen reported a strong start to the year and praised the district’s English Language Learner team for hosting a well-attended parent night on September 15. The event drew 65 parents and 30 students. Twelve high school students provided child care, and pizza and other food was served to the participants.” An interpreter was also present. Topics during the event included school communication, weather procedures, and classroom expectations.

Milbank Middle School Principal Ryan Scoular shared student achievements, including the middle school marching band’s first-place finish at the Groton competition. He highlighted the $350 donation from the student council to the Orphan Grain Train that was raised by selling  concessions at the middle school football games. Scoular also noted 150 students attended the recent middle school dance. Their next dance is scheduled for December 18.

Scoular, speaking as the athletic director for MHS, said the fall sports season is wrapping up with cross country, golf, and tennis performances earning recognition statewide. He stated “Saturday Milbank will host our big volleyball tournament with eight schools.. It will be a nine-to -five type of tournament.” He also reminded the board that only two football games remain until the playoffs.  

Student and Program Highlights
Downes reported robust student participation in non-athletic extracurricular programs: FBLA (55 students), HOSA (72), FCCLA (36), and Educators Rising (10). He thanked the Valley Queen Foundation for donating $15,000 to student organizations and $40,000 to upgrade the lighting in the theater. He also touched on  the success of Homecoming week and career exploration programs.

Boys & Girls Club
Downes informed the board that the district has been approached by the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains, headquartered in Brookings, about establishing a Milbank location. The proposed partnership would expand after-school and summer opportunities for K-12 students and could include meal service programs. The club’s access to federal and corporate funding could enhance what Milbank’s current OST program offers. Discussions are in the early stages. Community surveys will follow.

Grant County Development Corporation Update
Traci Stein, executive director of the Grant County Development Corporation (GCDC), updated the board on GCDC’s new capital campaign. The organization is working to raise $1.5 million to support key local initiatives, including housing, childcare, workforce recruitment, and business retention and expansion. Stein stated she believes housing shortages and childcare needs remain the largest challenges for attracting and keeping workers in the Milbank area.

Policy
The Board continued to review the first reading of board policy sections A and B. They also recommended and approved updates to policy sections K and L.

Other Business
Downes confirmed that the district met the state’s teacher-pay accountability standards He shared a letter of appreciation from the Milbank American Legion for allowing use of the school facilities for a banquet during state baseball tournaments.

The next regular meeting of the Milbank School District Board of Education will be held Monday, November 10.