Blake Gardner

The strategic plan for Hill City School District 51-2 focuses on empowering students to succeed in a rapidly changing world through advancing educational opportunities. Key areas include improving student behavior and support, enhancing curriculum and professional development, and bolstering staff support. The plan emphasizes academic excellence, emotional health and safety, community engagement, empowering faculty and staff, and fiscal responsibility to provide personalized learning experiences and a safe environment for all learners.

The meeting included reports from the Maintenance Director, Special Education Director, Technology Coordinator, Athletic Director, Elementary Principal, MS/HS Principal, Business Manager, and Superintendent, covering topics such as the boiler plant progress, special education projects, new server installations, sports participation, school finances, and upcoming events. The board approved the 2025-2026 budget and the levy request for 2026. An executive session was held to discuss marketing or pricing strategies. The board also discussed strategic plan updates focusing on student support, board development, and staff support.

The goals focus on student behavior and support, curriculum and professional development, and staff support. Key areas include staff training, reducing student discipline referrals, ensuring students have trusted adults at school, mental health presentations, and customized Ranger Time groups. Additional goals include aligning textbook adoptions to state standards, surveying staff for professional development topics, and reducing staff turnover.

The meeting included discussions and decisions on various topics such as the approval of the agenda and consent agenda, financial reports, and claims. The board also addressed personnel matters, including resignations and advertising for new positions, and budget amendments for the fiscal year 2024-2025. Additional discussions covered conflicts of interest, board reports, and the superintendent's report, which highlighted progress in grounds and building improvements and the district winning the ASBSD School Board Award of Excellence. The board also reviewed and approved several annual business items, including board meeting schedules, rules of order, compensation, committee appointments, and various financial and operational policies. New business included approving a propane contract, property and liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and authorizing the superintendent to approve change orders on the boiler project. The board also discussed fire mitigation power outages, school board committee timelines, and new state laws impacting board policy. Finally, the board entered an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

The board discussed financial reports, claims, and personnel updates, including the end of employment for Toni Brun and Theressa Milliken. They approved the SPED Director Contract for Breanna Lende Hanson. The board also discussed the SDHSAA Run Off Election and Policy DID changes. The achievements of the Track and Golf teams at State Meets were highlighted, along with the recognition of Hill City School District Employees of the Year. Potential legislative actions affecting the funding formula were discussed. Updates were provided on various reports, including those from the Technology Coordinator, Maintenance Director, Activities Director, Special Education Director, Elementary School Principal, MS/HS Principal, Business Manager, and Superintendent. The board discussed concerns about potential blackouts proposed by Black Hills Power and plans to identify critical services and explore generators and grant opportunities.