School board recognizes teachers, staff of the year

by Benjamin Chase

of the Plainsman

HURON – Five staff awards were given out to six Huron School District staff members at Monday evening’s Huron School Board meeting.

The elementary teacher of the year was Dani Lowe, a special education teacher at Madison 2-3 Center. Her award was presented by Madison 2-3 Center Principal Heather Rozell.

Middle School Principal Laura Willemssen presented the Middle School teacher of the year to Claire Gilbert, a seventh-grade math teacher.

Brandi Fitzgerald, math and CTE instructor with the high school, was recognized as the high school teacher of the year. Her award was presented by High School Principal Rodney Mittelstedt.

The professional support staff member of the year is Tisha Harvey, the nurse at Madison 2-3 Center and McKinley Learning Center. Madison 2-3 Center Principal Heather Rozell presented her award.

The Classified Employee of the Year was shared between Lona Moser, high school library paraprofessional, and Cassie Reinhardt, school nutrition high school manager.

Jolene Konechne presented the good news report about the English Learner (EL) program. There were 951 students in the program this year, down 61 from last year. Students in their first year in the country were down from 44 last year to nine.

Business manager Kelly Christopherson presented the five-year capital outlay plan. Christopherson explained that this plan is required by the state because the district has debt in the capital outlay fund. Christopherson also presented the proposed budget for 2026-2027. Projected revenue is slightly more than $46 million for the district, and budgeted expenses are based on that number.

The board also:

– Approved three new hires.

– Approved a request to increase meal prices for the 2026-2027 school year.

– Approved the milk bid for the 2026-2027 school year.

– Approved the fuel bid for the 2026-2027 school year.

– Congratulated and expressed best wishes to nine retiring staff.

– Approved the certified negotiations.

– Approved the activity director’s recommendations on the SDHSAA 2026 official election ballot.

The next meeting of the board of education is Tuesday, May 26, at 5:30 p.m., in the IPC room on the second floor of the Huron Arena.