School Board Approves Resignations and New Hires

The Milbank School District Board of Education met on Monday, April 14, to review staffing changes and facility projects planned for this summer. The board also recognized Superintendent Justin Downes for earning a statewide honor.

Downes was selected for the Community Leader Award from the South Dakota School Superintendents Association. The award honors an administrator who has gone above and beyond their district duties to positively impact their community. 

Staff resignations accepted:

• Bridgette Downes, Gentrie Vatthauer, Mari Athey, and Lori Sherod (Teachers)
  
• Bree Schwandt (Behavior Interventionist)
  
• Karen Zagami (Paraprofessional)
  
• Kelsey Peery (Cheerleading Coach)
  
• Brian Pauli (Head Girls Basketball Coach) and Tony Howard (Assistant Girls Basketball Coach)
  
• Wyatt Winter (Assistant Wrestling Coach)
  

New hires also approved:

• Taylor Ash (Teacher and Assistant Track Coach)
  
• Karen Zagami (Teacher)
  
• Carter Malone (Teacher)
  
• Tony Howard (Head Girls Basketball Coach)
  
• Wyatt Winter (Head Wrestling Coach)
  
• Hope Karels (Middle School Tennis Coach)
  
• Jeffrey Trapp (Assistant Wrestling Coach)

• Brady Femling (Assistant Cross Country Coach)
  
• Janelle Huber (Elementary Teacher)
  

Downes provided an overview of upcoming projects and maintenance work. A recent roofing inspection identified repairs expected to total approximately $30,000. The repairs are scheduled for this summer. Downes said, ”I don’t think they will be as expensive as the theater roof repair because that required special cranes. The report also revealed two roofs could require replacement within four to six years. Several more could need work in seven to nine years. Roofs on Milbank Middle School and MHS were on the list. “That is something we need to start banking towards,” Downes suggested.

Downes stated, “Almost all of the facility has been updated with LED lighting. The gym is one of the last areas to be done.”  Upgrading gymnasium lighting to energy-efficient LED fixtures (including rebates) is estimated to cost  $25,000 to $30,000. Downes noted, “This would be for the north and south upper-end areas.”

Cooling solutions for the middle and high school kitchen were also explored because the kitchen becomes excessively hot in warmer months.  “It’s hot!  We have a bunch of steamers and ovens running, and we need to find relief,” Downes said. “The only way it’s cooled now is through exhaust and pulling cold air from the hallways.” Options range from $8,000 mini-split systems to $63,000 make-up air units.

Autonomous floor scrubbers to increase custodial efficiency were discussed. The programmable sonar machines are being considered because they can clean large areas like hallways and CTE (Career and Technical Education) gym independently. The machines would allow custodians to focus on specialized cleaning. Downes reminded the board that when the CTE area was added, another custodian was not hired to cover the extra square footage. Costs for the autonomous scrubbers range from $35,000 to $40,000.

The board also discussed the aging condition of the theater and its equipment, including stage lights, backdrops, and the stage. Downes said, “These are some of the summer projects on our radar and we are working to figure out the budget and to prioritize them.” 

The board also approved:

• Membership in the South Dakota High School Activities Association
  
• Out-of-state travel for the national speech and debate competition
  
• The 2024 district audit
  
• The negotiated agreement and certified staff contracts
  
• Open enrollment applications
  

Milbank Elementary School Principal Dave Graf reported the elementary school chose not to have an Artist in Residence this year. The PPE (Parents Promoting Education) group is partnering with the Grant County Library on projects. Graf stated,” If this is successful, in the future, we will do away with the Artist in Residence and replace it with some of our local resources.”

Claire Snaza and Max Schuelke were recognized as MHS Students of the Month for March and April, respectively.  Max Shuelke was honored as District Student of the Year in debate. MHS had 157 students participate in the state HOSA convention, of which 14 are advancing to Nationals. Johanna Fischer was named HOSA Adviser of the Year. Seventeen students participated in State FBLA.  Mr. Snaza also attended the convention.  Ryan Wendland was chosen as a state FBLA officer. Over 20 students participated in the spring play.  Twenty-five students attended the 2025 Special Olympics State Basketball Tournament. Two high school students placed in the state Arts Wars contest in Aberdeen.

Milbank Middle School recognized Charlotte Gastineau, Harper Wendland, Nuria Rodriguez Duron, Matthew Moe, Ariana Prisinger, and Brooklyn Wittrock as Students of the Month for March. The middle school collected 92 pounds of pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Sioux Falls. They plan to deliver May Day baskets to 161 residents in four local care facilities.

Marie Ivers, director of special services, mentioned the kindergarten roundup is to be held on May 6. Ivers also reported the math-themed Title Night was a success. Approximately 80 families attended. “We hired a couple of interpreters to help with the games and to help greet at the door,” Ivers said. She noted there are six applicants for the summer transition program. 

Downes reported the district received a zero percent increase in insurance rates this year. He and board members Dick Schwandt and John Christensen also met with city officials to begin discussions on renegotiating the school resource officer contract.  Downes, Schwandt, and Annelies Seffrood are exploring local daycare solutions.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 12.