[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6518986,"mediaKeyId","5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c","parentId",5382546,"title","Votes at a glance: Brookings School District board approves consent items, handbooks, agreements and personnel-related wage action","audioSeconds",4240,"startMs",2777000,"endMs",7017000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c&start=2777&end=7017","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c/thumbnail_2777000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6518986/South-Dakota/Votes-at-a-glance-Brookings-School-District-board-approves-consent-items-handbooks-agreements-and-personnel-related-wage-action","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518986-05217027625f7322ecbc28bbfc378e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033203&Signature=Pw-OgwTXg2iPTB1MqFBPQ1UiRm1T2qY7nx6eYkxAJ8Nxj3C7fTpusnpDEwEckAg0mzhI2kZiuc3WqUCYpiP-dUwl~ObsfeeTsSSYseDMbMVvtToapJwgIU4LPUmZO1A5q~-zjwRjUoz8LTPDars8TglW1IIP3kCK1hrE3vtHNzdjhFTElauGcGtr9SAWq1obURv0wVV2drilJkD~SvWieNhsEW4WCfNpa96-3wnMTs4FLTzFor2g3zvCZKfIEgrw3Sdj1DweWbWx6tRylR1NN~-FPJSS3kzq0oGM13J-Qn3e9OowntnZbiic7WV1iV~1tqKu7V9LKF5mMxp-gKc~rQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Brookings Bobcat Network","date","2025-07-14T13:12:50Z","article","The Brookings School District 05-1 board took multiple formal actions at its July meeting. Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript are listed below; where the transcript did not give a named vote tally the item is recorded as approved by the board.

Votes and formal approvals recorded in the meeting record

- Approve agenda as presented — motion moved and seconded; passed (voice).
- Enter executive session (personnel, South Dakota Codified Laws §1-25-2(3)) — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve bills for July — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve financial report — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve minutes of June 9 and June 27 meetings — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve supplement to the 2024-25 budget (special-education extraordinary-costs transfer of $30,000 from the general fund) — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Administer oath of office to newly seated/re-elected board members Terry Johnson and Cassie Juba (ceremonial) and convene the 2025–26 board.
- Elect Deb (Debbie) Bates as board president and Terry Johnson as vice president — nominations moved and seconded; unanimous ballot cast and approved.
- Approve preliminary budget presentation (final budget adoption scheduled for Aug. 11) — presentation accepted; final adoption pending.
- Approve consent agenda (annual renewals, calendar, personnel report, activity pass and meal prices, etc.) — motion moved and seconded; roll-call voice votes recorded as ayes and motion passed.
- Approve July donations (community donors for track team and others) — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve board subcommittees for 2025–26 (performance oversight, facilities and construction, policy and governance, school finance, ad hoc appointees) — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve longstanding agreements for pick-up/drop-off locations with Elkton School District and Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School District (use of Little Hall in Aurora and Casey’s General Store on Sixth Street, respectively) — motions moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve South Dakota State University facility-use agreement for Brookings High School football (new rental fee $2,000 per game noted) — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve memorandum of understanding with South Dakota State University for kindergarten services — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve hiring ELO CPAs & Advisors for the 2024–25 audit — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve custodians’ request to withdraw the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) as their negotiating agent — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve 1% wage increase for facilities workers and custodians for 2025–26 — motion moved and seconded; passed.
- Approve classified employees handbook, preschool family handbook, elementary, intermediate, middle and high school learner handbooks, learner activities handbook, and approval of student activities advisors for 2025–26 — motions moved and seconded; passed (high school handbook included device-use procedures and a pending recommendation for an interim assistant principal noted in the staff directory).
- Approve Project SEARCH participation and related MOU with SDSU for student transition programming — motion moved and seconded; passed.

The transcript records voice votes and roll calls for many items but does not provide detailed vote tallies for every action. No votes recorded in the public transcript indicate any item failed; all listed motions were recorded as passing during the July meeting.

Administrative and follow-up items

- Final budget adoption and levy-setting scheduled for Aug. 11, 2025; staff were asked to return with final figures once enrollment and federal allocations are clearer.
- Administration to proceed with planned communication and implementation steps for the high school device procedures, and to report back to the board on rollout.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brookings School Board July Meeting - 7/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Brookings School District 05-1 board approved a series of routine and substantive items at its July meeting, including a budget supplement for special-education costs, multiple inter-district and facility agreements, handbooks for the 2025–26 school year and a 1% wage increase for custodians.","taxTitle","Brookings School District 05-1, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",77634,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518992,"Brookings High handbook adds phone pouch policy; administrators plan parent forums",460,6320000,6780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c&start=6320&end=6780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c/thumbnail_6320000.jpg","/articles/6518992/South-Dakota/Brookings-High-handbook-adds-phone-pouch-policy-administrators-plan-parent-forums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518992-49d8e463ddc813e8b3f17395213e9b68/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033203&Signature=RfKn-UFb4doDuOfUjbtRYiK-vEI7UfdY4KEgl6xHMipDtkTbykDB0qGgy3mHveRaJogX2KvuQrJ8Amgj2h6QMoXvTp-4MqRFG5l7oWDN8-FeOsX6kZrXBOlH7BVtvFTtu4JkkBZXW0z8DDrdPe6Pag6~9SaQ3fQ9XC~JYoTk2MEr0d3P9OUSVzJbGLhJM9~8MefFU3coz96itlywtLOma~SEg3Vkzu1g-hZbm6n9Ly7plN2W1dVHcY~wW7u8RzQs6F1LuruSfmxtmVjc2dXNrAqEXavFUFa~LiG4IAEC~-Zbb9pnnEcpxmrq2febrK~GtEXtO-b95IpmgyD4jK6nDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brookings School District board approved the Brookings High School 2025-26 learner handbook after administrators described a new process intended to limit in-school cellphone use.

Board members said the change follows a district review, staff surveys and legislative conversations on technology use in schools. Dr. Schultz (identified in the transcript as superintendent) and high school administration described a rollout that will include parent and staff education before implementation.

The handbook adds a process under which students will place phones and related devices in pouches during the school day; administrators said the approach is intended to reduce classroom interruptions and address concerns about anxiety and academic focus. The transcript records a district official saying: “...the use of the cell phone during the school day has a tremendous impact on anxiety. It has a tremendous impact on academic achievement.” (comment attributed in the transcript to a board discussion of research and administrative recommendations.)

Interim high school principal Zach Thomas (identified in the record as interim principal) recommended hiring Phil Kramer as interim assistant principal; that hiring recommendation was noted in the meeting record as pending board personnel approval and appeared in the staff directory portion of the handbook draft, but it was not listed on the personnel report published with the agenda.

Board members said the district will hold forums and back-to-school events this fall to explain procedures and expectations to parents and students before the policy is enforced. Officials said they expect an adjustment period and will provide communication and training to parents and staff.

The high school handbook also reflects recent legislative changes on dual credit and other items the board said it will align with state guidance. The board approved the high school handbook as part of a package of learner and activities handbooks for the coming school year.","The board approved the 2025-26 high school learner handbook, which includes new procedures for limiting student cellphone use during the school day and a plan for parent forums and implementation led by interim high school leadership.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6518996,"Brookings schools present preliminary 2025-26 budget; federal Title II funds not yet released",742,3307000,4049000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c&start=3307&end=4049","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c/thumbnail_3307000.jpg","/articles/6518996/South-Dakota/Brookings-schools-present-preliminary-2025-26-budget-federal-Title-II-funds-not-yet-released","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6518996-4297fd26b8e1a484ad7350e951d51c66/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033203&Signature=ajN~Y7kMMhEoLFC3wkaNKNVTQTgwFMqlEspBYoj3niEB9JhPaJSbUbeKa3rYdhb3PhUHje8f0~u0s2f-OZyf1oKSJLSYHAqlIvdMDtXvIW8wBIb6Bd1jGUU8UNnuNUzVxktdYRfth8LIHFm93-Uv-s9ny9rqQ4FlT~DVL6XdrbeiQaTNPRKcytL1wo8pyUXUwyvu6v2t1GOV7qFcM9GGLmb6QYpBaC5xZaaEDsNq8XWULQZTB~NMSamEq9wDV9DGjkMp9o4WymyocfwyGNEoVHkeSkRzNJOzj1g7Z0-cAGPVQZAaMKG1kSbp1C4NvUwAxD6GbnDSkm9sqnSzXgttIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brookings School District 05-1 board received a preliminary presentation of the 2025-26 budget from Stacy Van Beek, director of business and finance, who said the district will not adopt a final budget until the Aug. 11 board meeting.

Van Beek told the board the district is assuming steady enrollment near 3,500 students for the fall while noting some outstanding applications that could alter the final count. “We will not adopt a final budget until August,” she said, adding that child-count figures are firmest in December.

A central uncertainty is federal Title II-A funding. Van Beek said the federal government had not released roughly $6 billion in grants as of July 1 and that South Dakota’s share—about $25.8 million across the state—remained unallocated. As a result, the district is planning for zero Title II-A revenue in the preliminary budget; last year the district received about $232,000 in Title II funds.

Van Beek presented fund-level details: a general-fund budget of about $29.8 million and an anticipated need to supplement the special-education extraordinary-cost fund. She said the district requested “a little over $1,000,000” in extraordinary-cost funds and received $979,000; based on recent out-of-district placements, the district is estimating about $1.2 million in extraordinary costs and may need general-fund transfers to cover the difference. At the July meeting the board approved a $30,000 transfer from the general fund to supplement extraordinary costs for 2024-25.

Capital outlay also drew attention. Van Beek said the district has near-term capital needs for the high school —roofing, plumbing and other work on the district’s oldest building—and that cash flow will be tight by 2028–29 if planned projects proceed. The district issued bonds last year for a Brookings High School boiler project and still owes about $1 million on that work. Van Beek said possible energy rebates through the project could total between $358,000 and $562,000 but are not yet confirmed and therefore not included in the budget.

Other budget notes presented to the board:

- Special education accounted for about 20% of students; child count in December showed 691 students receiving special-education services, and the total rose to about 709 by year end.
- Enterprise and preschool programs are under review; preschool enrollment is near full capacity for three sections and the district is considering expansion options.
- Health insurance budgeting assumed an 8% increase and dental 4%.

Board members and the public had an opportunity to ask questions; the board will vote on the final budget and set levies at the Aug. 11 meeting when enrollment and Title funding should be clearer.

The budget presentation also noted a broader concern about sustaining capital needs while maintaining classroom programs: Van Beek said the district estimates roughly $6 million in maintenance and improvement needs across older facilities over the next several years and warned of pressure on fund balances if major projects proceed without additional revenue.","District staff presented a preliminary 2025-26 budget that assumes steady enrollment and flags a major uncertainty: federal Title II allocations to South Dakota remain unreleased, increasing the chance the district will use fund balance or general-fund transfers to cover special-education costs and other programs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6519001,"Dozens of residents protest Brookings High principal's removal during public comment",1493,1037000,2530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c&start=1037&end=2530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5382546-8eee990961696fa23523bc6f6d87f56c/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","/articles/6519001/South-Dakota/Dozens-of-residents-protest-Brookings-High-principals-removal-during-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519001-c977d6b3c60bb2ced4c936a5fae81e52/orig.mp4?Expires=1771033203&Signature=PIaSyQKIyu~Ezi5oNryFCEX7un3KHXJUkS-IoXoKETnLhZZ8e5uGUHJwldI~4UibYT3zpZUx8NT~1pRQt2yAn1ykEl1XdZjAcE9a2K5~Onthgnv2kFQfwlMuzzZj40HHGwutl3xBBPK-~G7dmmVrave2C7z5fRFxWcoov4zuLlUQM8lTseztn~P5eTn6BpvrujDhle-eaUWPM7Enraz~rt33MjzbFOvoz5ein~cx-Q3qs5bmwclQ9WptE3rLKzGXp-4K~v31qj0Ea8QXA85lED5KuEEbNRGDFSCXphdjG7OMpRjdJzXopliQyQ8yKXyMBlFx2nHMCZGge3GUhmubbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of parents, alumni and former students used the public-comment portion of the Brookings School District 05-1 board meeting to press the board for more information and to criticize the district for removing Brookings High School principal Justin Stanley.

Rich Helzberg, the district attorney, told the meeting: “The board, under no circumstances, will respond to any personnel issues brought up today.” He reminded speakers that personnel matters are governed by South Dakota law and that the board handles such matters in executive session until any formal action is taken.

Members of the public said they did not expect details but called for clearer communication and for the board to consider the impact of the decision on students and families. Sheila Shore, who identified herself as a parent, said she stood “with Justin Stanley” while also raising a separate concern about how her child’s IEP and discipline were handled during athletics.

Multiple speakers described Stanley as a student advocate. Shannon Lore read a letter from Malachi Ramsey, identified in the recording as a former Brookings High School student now serving in the Navy, that said Stanley “believed in me” and helped Ramsey graduate. Christianne Behringer said Stanley “wouldn’t give up on” her son when he was “going down the wrong path.” Several other speakers made similar statements about Stanley’s outreach to students and families.

Some commenters urged the board to explain whether other administrators were held accountable when Stanley allegedly missed required evaluations. Nicole Weir, a parent of an incoming sophomore, asked: “If he got fired for not having an eval done, where was the person above him checking to make sure it was done?”

Morgan Kuntz, who identified herself as a school board member in another district, said the community response showed unity in support for the removed leader and called on the board to consider the decision’s impact on public confidence. Kuntz also raised a conflict-of-interest concern she said related to legal counsel; the transcript records the concern but provides no documentary detail.

Tricia Wilkins, who said she works for South Dakota Parent Connection and has children in the district, asked whether Stanley had been given the opportunity and supports to change if remediation was appropriate. Other speakers said they feared the removal would prompt families to withdraw students from the district.

The board did not discuss personnel specifics in public; the transcript shows the board had moved into an executive session on a personnel item earlier in the meeting pursuant to South Dakota law. The district did not state reasons for Stanley’s removal during the public session recorded in the transcript.

The meeting record shows the public-comment period concluded and the board moved on to business items without providing detailed public answers about the personnel action.","A large group of parents, alumni and former students addressed the Brookings School District board during public comment to express support for recently removed Brookings High School principal Justin Stanley and to question the district's process and communication around the personnel action.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Brookings School District board approves consent items, handbooks, agreements and personnel-related wage action

Brookings High handbook adds phone pouch policy; administrators plan parent forums

Brookings schools present preliminary 2025-26 budget; federal Title II funds not yet released

Dozens of residents protest Brookings High principal's removal during public comment