The Britton-Hecla Board of Education met Wednesday, Aug. 12, and formally adopted the district’s preliminary budget as the official budget for the 2026-27 school year, incorporating changes discussed during the board’s July meeting.
The board also set its requested mill levies for taxes payable in 2027. Under South Dakota law, the maximum general fund levy is $4.867 per $1,000 of taxable valuation for general (commercial) property, $1.051 per $1,000 for agricultural property and approximately 67 cents per $1,000 for owner-occupied single-family dwellings.
Superintendent Steve Benson said the district will need to begin looking ahead to next year’s budget by the end of the calendar year. Enrollment will be a significant factor in determining the district’s financial outlook.
“We’ll have to reevaluate,” Benson said, noting the district may need to take steps to address future budget challenges. He said conversations about potential changes will likely need to begin by October or November, including the possibility of asking voters for an opt-out from state-imposed property tax limitations.
In other business, the board approved working agreements, including Jameson Peters as junior high football coach, and approved two early graduation requests.
The board accepted Holland Brothers Oil’s bids for gasoline, diesel and fuel oil. It also accepted bids for meals provided to Sunset Colony at $1.50 for breakfast and $2.30 for lunch.
The board approved several open enrollment applications, including one first-grade student, one ninth-grade student, two 10th-grade students and one 12th-grade student. Three other applications were denied because the district is at capacity for special education services.
In his superintendent’s report, Benson announced the district received $14,706 through the Naddy Grant to support teachers.
Benson also discussed the district’s efforts to address its band program. Because the district was unable to find a certified band teacher, it has been working through the permit process to allow the program to continue by potentially hiring a community member with applicable experience for the job. Benson said that if the district can make it through the current school year, he has already heard from some people who may be interested in the position for the following year.
The board later entered executive session to discuss personnel matters. Following the executive session, members approved an agreement with the company EdAssist to provide assistance to the business manager as the district’s new hire continues learning the position.
A special meeting of the school board was held Tuesday, Aug. 18, with the only item on the agenda being an executive session for personnel matters.
Following the closed session, the board accepted the resignation of the current business manager Shannon Wegleitner, who said the position she had held for the past few months was not the right fit.
Current business office assistant Kyla Kriese had expressed interest in the business manager position, and the board offered her the position, which she accepted.
With Kriese moving into the business manager role, Wegleitner will move into the business office assistant position.
