May 12, 2025 at 5:00 PM - DOUGLAS SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION

Discussion:  All actions in these Minutes were by unanimous vote unless otherwise stated.

President Tanya Gray called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case recognized the ten staff members retiring this year.  They represent 270 total years of service.  

Discussion:  There was nothing  for public forum.

Discussion:         Approved Regular Board Meeting Minutes of April 28, 2025.

Discussion:         Approved Personnel Action for May 12, 2025. (Attachment)

Discussion:         Approved Accounts Payable Report and April 2025 Payroll Report. (Attachments)

Discussion:         Acknowledged presentation of staff and volunteer recognition awards for the 2024-25 school year. 

Discussion:         Approved election ballots for representation on the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) Board as recommended.

• Small Group Representative - Billy Clanton of Harding County
• East River At Large Rep - Tim Leibel of Hitchcock/Tulare
• Division I Representative - Jordan Bauer of Rapid City Central
• Division III Representative - Jeff Sheehan of Hamlin

Discussion:         Approved Amendments No. 1-5 to the South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) By-Laws as recommended.

Discussion:         Approved South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) Annual Membership Resolution for the 2025-26 school year.

Discussion:         There were no conflicts disclosed as defined in SDCL 3-23.

Discussion:         Approved declaring library books from Douglas High School, Badger Clark and Vandenberg libraries as surplus (surplus for sale or discard).

Discussion:  Elementary and Secondary Curriculum and Instruction Items:

Discussion:  Executive Director of Elementary Academics Ann Pettit reported on the first year of the PreKindergarten program.  The program was a relative success with a few minor adjustments identified for future improvement. Due to current facility constraints, the program is unable to be expanded, despite continued high interest from families. This spring, the screening process was revised to include all applicants. Approximately 125 children participated in the screening, and we will now move forward with selecting 36 students (18 per classroom) for enrollment in the upcoming school year. Looking ahead, we plan to incorporate the PELI (Preschool Early Literacy Indicators) assessment into our regular assessment schedule, similar to how we use Acadience for K-5. This will allow us to monitor early literacy development and bring relevant student data to the board starting in fall 2025.

Discussion:  Superintendent Items:

Discussion:  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Douglas School Board hereby recognizes and commends the following staff members on the occasion of their retirement. Their many years of dedication and service to the Douglas School District have benefited countless staff and students. The Board wishes them success and happiness in the future.
     Kristine Boeding             32 Years
     Mary Braun-Coates        38 Years
     Tamara Merrill                10 Years
     Tammy Pacheco-Bahr      8 Years
     Kevin Plooster                33 Years
     Pegge Poppe-Basham   26 Years
     Denise Schleusner         28 Years
     Luann Schock                35 Years
     Lisa Scofield                  33 Years
     Deborah Smith              27 Years

Discussion:  Operational Support Services Items:

Discussion:  Informational Reading of Revised or New Board Policies as follows:
       Revised Board Policy GCPD-(N) - Suspension without Pay and Dismissal of Professional Staff Members
       Revised Board Policy GBN - Staff Flex Time
       New Board Policy IKFB - Graduation Ceremony Decoration
       New Board Policy GBED - Fragrance Free Workplace

Discussion:  Reports:

Discussion:  Superintendent Kevin Case and BOE President Tanya Gray attended the Pennington County Planning Commission meeting today with regard to a proposed rock quarry east of town on the south side of 225th Street. June 23 is the date of the next commission meeting.  The District may want to consider making an official recommendation in response.  

The Douglas Senior Graduation will be Sunday at the Box in Box Elder.  

Discussion:  Committee Reports from Board Members and Comments from Associate Board Members

Board members thanked retiring staff members for their many years of service to our Douglas students.

Amy McGovern will attend the Box Elder Chamber of Commerce next week.  Also there is a virtual Facilities Master Planning Committee meeting this week.

Discussion:  President Tanya Gray called the Board out of executive session at 5:42 p.m.

Discussion:         Approved Certified Negotiations.
       Approved Classified salary schedule and handbook language changes.
       Approved Administrative salaries.

Discussion:  President Tanya Gray called the Board out of executive session at 6:40 p.m. 

No action taken.