B-H BOARD: TALKS ABOUT COLONY SCHOOL LEAVING DISTRICT

    Concerns about the potential withdrawal of a colony school from the district, policy updates and goal-setting were among the topics discussed Monday night during the Britton-Hecla Board of Education meeting.
    During the meeting’s open forum, Audrey Schuller addressed the board regarding graphic material she said is still available through the Sora e-book app used by the district. Schuller provided examples and asked the board to reconsider the district’s use of the service.
    Jeanne Ahlgren also spoke about Sora concerns, as well as referencing the 2025 U.S. Supreme Court case Mahmoud vs. Taylor, which she said establishes a nationwide precedent requiring public schools to provide notice and opt-out options for curriculum that parents believe interferes with their religious upbringing of their children. Ahlgren provided examples of materials districts might use to notify parents and allow them to opt out.
    Board members did not comment on the matter during the meeting. 
    In other business, Benson updated the board on discussions with Westwood Colony regarding its school. Benson said the colony has for several years discussed the possibility of withdrawing from the district and operating a private school, noting that other Hutterite colonies in South Dakota have made similar decisions or are having those discussions.
    The colony has now voted to pursue a private school in 26-27. Benson said enrollment at the colony school next year is estimated at about 49 students. If the colony school leaves the district, it would result in a loss of enrollment-related revenue for the district.
    Because the district must vote to release the colony school from the system, the board considered the matter but ultimately tabled it in hopes of having further discussions with Westwood.. Benson and some board members said they would like to continue discussions with colony officials before taking action.
    The board also approved several policy language updates and additions. Changes were made to the district’s student firearms and weapons policy to add language to include the threat of bringing a weapon to school which carries a consequence of a suspension for a calendar year, but gives the superintendent the authority to reduce the consequence but  requires the superintendent to document the reason in the student record and provide a rationale for that decision. 
    Updated policies are available on the district’s website.
    Board members also discussed the possible use of an outside trainer to assist with district goal setting and planning. The trainer would conduct an outside review of the district, including academics, culture and operations, and help identify areas that are working well as well as opportunities for improvement.
    Two options were discussed: a single-night goal-setting session that would provide concrete action steps for administrators to implement, or a more comprehensive strategic planning process. Board members noted the longer process would involve greater cost but could include surveys of teachers and community members along with both short- and long-term planning.
    Board member Dan Tracy said he supports a more comprehensive process and cautioned against repeatedly choosing short-term planning over a long-term strategic plan.
    “There needs to be an understanding that this is not an indictment of the administrators, the faculty, our policies,” Tracy said. “It’s an opportunity to move forward with a fresh direction, with a new plan, and make sure we put the resources into where we want to go.”
    At the conclusion of the discussion, the board directed the vice president to gather additional information about options for a more comprehensive strategic planning process.
    In staffing matters, the board accepted the resignations of girls basketball coaches Terry Nelson and Kurt Zuehlke.
    In his report, Superintendent Steve Benson also provided an update on developments in the state legislative session. He noted that proposed state funding for schools has increased from 1 percent to 1.4 percent.
    Benson also highlighted several education-related bills. Senate Bill 198, which addressed cell phone use in schools, was defeated. Benson said many superintendents had hoped the measure would provide a clearer statewide standard, but the bill largely left decisions about cell phone policies and consequences to individual school boards.
    House Bill 1017 would allow school boards to assign students to alternative educational settings for aggressive or violent behavior, while House Bill 1082 establishes guidelines for reimbursing schools that provide free or reduced-price meals to students. Legislators are also considering several measures related to property taxes.
    The board later entered executive session to discuss personnel and negotiations. No action was taken following the sessions.