HURON — Many congratulations were extended at Monday’s School Board meeting by Superintendent Terry Nebelsick, in recognition of all the successes throughout the district during a busy time of year.
“Thank you to everyone involved in making a community happening very special with coordination of fan buses down to the Dome, with over 1,000 people going to support the football team,” Nebelsick said. “How our community held together was a fantastic and athletic educational experience. The team, their coaches and those who followed them have a lot to be proud of, congratulations on what was a tremendous three week run.”
As well as the Huron Tigers football team making the state championship, the volleyball team was also congratulated as the girls prepare for the State Tournament. Nebelsick said there will be a fan bus running to Sioux Falls on Thursday.
“I want to congratulate the volleyball team on winning their qualifier in SoDak 16. The state volleyball tournament starts for them at 1:45 p.m. on Thursday at the Premier Center in Sioux Falls against Watertown, which should be a great rivalry,” Nebelsick added. “There is a fan bus organized for the Thursday afternoon game to support the girls on their quest.”
The full list of congratulations are available to view on the Huron School District website.
A report was given regarding the ACT test data taken by Huron students, which is a college entrance exam where students address core subjects.
“We look at the ACT scores for a couple reasons. We hope that they validate the things we are doing and they help us to make data-based decisions,” explained Mike Radke, Huron High School Principal. “We look to see where we are strong, where we are weak and then try to find solutions to that.”
Radke presented the numbers of ACT scores based on comparing the success rate of students from 2002 to 2018. “Historically since 2009, scores are a little bit lower; however, I have not seen a significant drop that really worried me,” said Radke.
In new business, policies were reviewed by the board in order to keep up to date and ensure the views and beliefs stated in the policy books are maintained consistently. The policies can also be viewed online.
The 2019 Associated School Boards of South Dakota Legislative Resolutions and Standing Positions were looked at by the board, and discussed to prepare for the upcoming ASBSD assembly.
“We do this every year where we go through these items and discuss our thoughts on them generally,” Board President David Wheeler explained. “Shelly Siemonsma will be representing us at the ASBSD assembly this year.”
Many resolutions and positions were reviewed, as the Huron School Board of Education came to conclusions for both approval and disapproval of various changes. They also decided where the board stands on the wide array of subjects.
Nebelsick noted that the Superintendent’s Organizations are in outreach to the Governor’s transition team, creating meetings and developing relationships to work with the new Governor.
“I did want to note that I have a report from every school on what they are doing for gifted and talented,” Nebelsick said, explaining a report will be compiled and presented all at once. “I am very optimistic how the students have scored and how the teachers have worked with the students. We will see some good things in the state report card.”
Forward movement was made with the development for facilities maintenance and repair plans. Business Manager Kelly Christopherson explained the proposed list of projects will be reviewed and studied, after the board approved the motion for Koch Hazard to produce a report of what the list of projects may look like and cost.
Board member Garret Bischoff responded, “One of our school board goals this year was to look at school safety. This is going to address what I think is one of the biggest safety issues we have. It will be nice to know what the cost is going to be for that so it can be addressed.”
It was also brought to the public’s attention that the district will help pack the Salvation Army Christmas boxes to help families in need at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Women’s Building on the S.D. State Fairgrounds.
The meeting ended with two executive sessions. In one, action was taken in public session as the board approved a request of open enrollment for a student to return to the Huron School District after the deadline of Aug. 1.
The next meeting will be Monday, Nov. 26.
