The Britton-Hecla Board of Education held its annual reorganization meeting Monday night, officially closing out the 2024–25 school year and setting the stage for the year ahead.
Before reorganization, the board addressed several carryover items, including the approval of student handbooks. A notable addition clarified the state’s compulsory attendance law, which now states students may withdraw at age 17 with parental/guardian consent.
Board members also revisited concerns over the transparency of benefits and insurance policies for administrative and classified staff. Board member Audrey Schuller pointed out that language detailing employee expectations and benefits was lost during a policy update last year.
“Salaries are 85% of the budget,” Schuller said. “Taxpayers deserve to know what they are paying for, and employees need to know what they are expected to do.” She referenced the Warner School District as a model for better documentation. Superintendent Steve Benson said he would follow up with legal counsel and Warner officials for more information.
Following that discussion, the 2024–25 board was officially adjourned. Schuller’s term ended, and Dan Tracy was sworn in to begin his new term. Officers for the 2025–26 board remained unchanged, with Troy Knecht re-elected as board president and Heather Landreth as vice president.
During business manager reports, Madi Neiber noted the upcoming delivery of a new mid-sized bus costing $98,000. Tracy introduced a motion to end the district’s Overdrive contract (a provider of Sora ebooks), but it failed for lack of a second. He also cast the sole vote against approving the district’s bills.
The board moved swiftly through annual reorganization items, setting regular meetings for the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. (except October when the meeting will be on the 14th), confirming official designations and appointments, and approving fee structures and service contracts. Some committee appointments were shuffled around and Tracy was added to the policy and process committee and the technology committee.
Marshall County Auditor Megan Biel also addressed the board to discuss South Dakota’s new election law, HB 1130, which requires municipal and school board elections to coincide with the June primary or November general elections. She explained the district could include school board races on the county’s ballot and emphasized the need for early, clear communication due to potential ballot combinations.
The meeting also included a public budget hearing. Neiber outlined tax levies for 2026 as set by state law:
• General Fund: $5.211 per $1,000 of taxable property
• Agricultural Property: $1.125 per $1,000
• Owner-Occupied Homes: $2.518 per $1,000
The board approved increasing the capital outlay transfer from $350,000 to $525,550 and raising the special education levy from 0.75 to 0.85. Neiber said the proposed budget looked similar to past years but noted rising financial pressures.
Superintendent Benson echoed those concerns, especially regarding the state’s 1.25% funding increase—below the 3% that is generally expected to mirror inflation. “Everyone is starting to get squeezed a bit,” Benson said. He and others acknowledged that large capital outlay transfers are not sustainable long-term and that alternative funding sources may need to be considered.
The next board meeting will be August 11.
Temperature: 70°F Town: Britton, SD
Pressure: 1016 hPa
Wind: 6 mph
