The Britton-Hecla Board of Education met Monday night and discussed preliminary budget planning, staffing changes, student activities, and open enrollment matters.
Superintendent Steve Benson told board members the district expects a tight budget next year due to declining enrollment and the loss of the Westwood Colony school, though he said the district is still financially stable.
Benson noted though the district may eventually need to consider an opt-out if state funding formulas do not change. “We are going to be okay next year, but things will be tight,” Benson said. “We’ll have to be creative like every other school.” He noted the district has never previously operated with an opt-out.
In staffing matters, the board approved a contract for new business manager Shannon Wegleitner. Wegleitner will officially begin the position July 1, though she will complete training hours during May and June. Benson said the hiring committee interviewed seven applicants for the position.
The board also approved resignations from band teacher Jakob Walden and paraeducator Linnea Jackola. Certified teacher contracts and working agreements for off-staff coaches were also approved.
Board members approved the district’s annual declaration that its special education program is at capacity for the upcoming school year as it relates to open enrollment applications. Benson explained the district makes the declaration each year.
The board also approved all South Dakota High School Activities Association ballots presented to the district. The proposed amendments included clarifications regarding open enrollment athletic eligibility rules and redshirt eligibility.
Board members discussed the possibility of allowing sixth-grade students to participate in track and cross-country. The district has occasionally allowed younger students to participate in other sports when participation numbers are low and when both parents and coaches approve. No formal action was taken, but Activities Director Steph Symens will continue researching the matter and report back at a future meeting.
The board also discussed a student council request regarding students seeking state office positions. While the district currently has a student council, there are no formal provisions addressing students in state office positions. The board agreed students may run for those positions, though any travel or additional expenses outside the regular school year would be the responsibility of the student and family.
In other business, the board approved unpaid leave requests, an early graduation request, and an open enrollment application for an incoming kindergarten student from Sisseton.
