The Langford Area Board of Education met Monday morning and approved the district’s 2026-27 budget and tax levies.
Two changes were made from the budget previously published in The Marshall County Journal. Capital outlay operations increased by $152,000, while the transportation budget increased by $60,000. The board approved the maximum levy allowed under state legislation.
For the district’s existing opt-out, the board approved asking for $235,418 in taxes. The district’s approved opt-out allows for up to $575,000 to be collected.
The board also declared a piano as surplus property and approved several staff contract lane changes. Board members again agreed that all members will serve as representatives for the South Dakota School Boards Association’s Legislative Action Network.
In administrative reports, Principal Abby Kwasniewski discussed implementation of the district’s new grading scale. She also reported on the district’s cell phone policy, which prohibits students from having phones out between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Superintendent Shad Storley reported that the district is purchasing a bus for $155,000 and has hired a new bus driver. Staff will participate in training with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota in the coming weeks.
Storley also reported on work being done on the district’s crisis management plan. He expressed appreciation for the assistance of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and local fire departments.
The board entered executive session to discuss market pricing and strategies. No action was taken following the closed session.
A separate story about the district’s current financial situation and how its finances have changed since the opt-out was approved about a year and a half ago will appear in next week’s Journal.
