Stanley County

School Board Meeting
March 1, 2000

The Stanley County School District, #57-1, Board of Education met in special session March 1, 2000, 5:30 P.M., in the study hall of the high school building with Steve Brown, Charlene Foster, Arlene Poncelet, David Carlisle and Peggy Tibbs present. Others in attendance were Superintendent Jerry Kleinsasser, Business Manager Kevin Merscheim and Principals Denise Gebur and Tony Glass. Visitors included Patrick Baker, Tony Mangan, Charles Thompson and a large delegation of concerned parents, teachers and the interested public.

The meeting was called to order by President Steve Brown at 5:30 P.M.

President Steve Brown informed the audience that a packet of information was available to address some of the concerns to be discussed in open session. School policy issues will be discussed at the March 13, 2000, school board meeting. All personnel issues would be discussed in executive session at the conclusion of the open session.

Carlisle moved, seconded by Foster, to adopt the agenda. All voted aye.

The shortage of textbooks was investigated and it was reported that any shortages have been remedied.

Student test scores were discussed in detail. The writing test scores have increased substantially since last year. The SAT 9 achievement tests are given to students each year in March. The test results are compared to information provided from the testing company to evaluate the curriculum and content standard in the Stanley County Schools. Programs such as Accelerated Reader have been expanded this year and the Accelerated Math program has been started for grades three through eight. Secondary Guidance Counselor Patricia Lindemann presented the test summary results from the Otis Lennon and the Stanford tests for the last ten years and explained the ability of the students compared to achievement test scores for each year. The Board and the public discussed these composite test scores.

The results of the American College Tests, which junior and senior students are required to take to enter college and universities, were compared to state averages for the past four years. The number of students graduating from the Stanley County Schools needing to take remedial courses in college was compared to state averages for the past three years. The number of students using the open enrollment option to enter the Stanley County Schools and our students requesting to enter another school was reviewed for the past two years. The dropout rate for students over the age of sixteen in the Stanley County Schools was compared with the state average and also the procedure used by the principal and the guidance counselor to detour students from leaving was explained. A listing of the teaching staff whom have left the school during the past ten years was presented which showed an average of under fifteen (15) percent per year.

The results of the survey conducted in 1996 of former students whom have graduated during the years of 1990 through 1992 evaluating the school performance were reviewed.

President Steve Brown presented an information sheet to help the public if a concern arises and whom to contact in the chain of command.

Last year’s high school preregistration handbook, which details the courses offered in the high school for the coming school year, was reviewed. The number of students preregistered determines the classes to be scheduled. The inability to contract with a business teacher forced two students to take accounting courses at the Pierre Schools. Block scheduling in the high school was examined.

The student discipline policy was discussed. The Board asked for public input to amend the current policy.

The Board briefly discussed state aid, impact aid and fund balance reserves and their importance to the school. Recent improvements in teacher salaries and technology are the result of this increased funding.

The Board invited the public to attend all school board meetings on the second Monday of each month. The audience suggested including a public comment section to the monthly agenda.

Foster moved, seconded by Tibbs, to go into Executive Session according to SDCL 1-25-2 for personnel reasons at 8:05 P.M. All voted aye.

President Steve Brown declared the Board out of Executive Session at 1:40 A.M.

Carlisle moved, seconded by Poncelet, to offer contracts to the Superintendent, Elementary Principal and the Business Manager for the 2000-2001 school year with the salary to be determined at a later date. All voted aye.

Poncelet moved, seconded by Carlisle, to offer a contract to the Secondary Principal for the 2000-2001 school year with the salary to be determined at a later date. Brown, Carlisle and Poncelet voted aye. Foster and Tibbs voted no.

Foster moved, seconded by Carlisle, to adjourn at 1:44 A.M. All voted aye.

Steve Brown, President
Kevin Merscheim, Business Manager

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Created 03/09/2000