B-H BOARD CONSIDERS CELL PHONE POLICY

    The Britton-Hecla Board of Education met Monday night, with much of the discussion focused on the district’s cell phone policy. Board President Troy Knecht and Vice President Heather Landreth recently attended the state school board convention, where they learned from other districts—such as Platte-Geddes and Gettysburg—that have gone “device-free.” Landreth suggested the board consider approving a resolution to set a goal of becoming cell phone–free by Jan. 1, which would require formal policy adoption.
    The board members cited a range of benefits reported by other districts, including reduced screen time, improved student development and social skills, better mental health, greater student responsibility, less cyberbullying, and fewer liability concerns. Some officials also noted that teachers were no longer expected to “police” students on behalf of parents during school hours. Some schools use locking phone cases—opened with a magnetic device—that allow students to keep their phones with them but inaccessible during the school day.
    Considerations would include avoiding extra burdens on the school secretary, setting expectations for teacher cell phone use, and making accommodations for medical needs.
    In Gettysburg, a teacher survey found classrooms were 100% more productive under the policy. While acknowledging there is no perfect solution, the Britton-Hecla board expressed strong interest in the idea and agreed to seek input from both teachers and parents.
    The board approved the next fiscal year’s budget with the following levies set (as voted on by the legislature)-
•    Agricultural Property: $1.125 per $1,000
•    Owner-Occupied Homes: $2.518 per $1,000
•    Other: $5.211 per $1,000 of taxable property
    The board approved increasing the capital outlay transfer from $350,000 to $525,500 and raising the special education levy from $750,000 to 850,000 due to increased needs. 
    The board approved new school meal prices for the coming year. Superintendent Steve Benson explained that gradual increases will be necessary over the next two years to keep the program sustainable as they no longer have a nutrition budget surplus, preferring smaller annual adjustments rather than a single large hike. For the 2025 school year, K–12 breakfast will remain at $1.95, K–5 lunch will rise from $2.40 to $2.80, 6–12 lunch will increase from $2.85 to $3.15, and adult lunch will go from $5.00 to $5.15. 
    The board accepted bids for Colony meals at both Westwood and Sunset Colonies, with breakfast set at $1.50 and lunch at $2.30, the same as last year.
    In staffing matters, the board accepted the resignations of Ryan Nack as head golf coach, and McKenzie Butler, assistant business manager. They also approved a working agreement for Shawn Kalbrener in food service.
    The board reviewed several open enrollment requests. They approved a fourth-grade student from Sisseton and a kindergarten student from Langford. However, they denied requests for a sophomore and a sixth grader from Sisseton, both of whom are on Individualized Education Programs, citing that the district’s special education program is currently at capacity.
    In his report, Benson discussed school vouchers as a topic at the recent state convention. He also noted that Nick Fosness of Britton is the new District 1 representative and expressed optimism that, as a former school board member, Fosness will be a strong voice for public education.
    A board member asked about the status of the school resource deputy agreement. Last year, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and the school announced plans for a deputy to be present at the school periodically throughout the week. However, no agreement has been finalized, as legal counsel for both sides disagreed on whether school administrators must be notified before a student is questioned.
    The next board meeting will be Sept. 8 at 6 p.m.