[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6171632,"mediaKeyId","5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef","parentId",5393742,"title","Board approves classified‑staff agreement with pay and benefit changes","audioSeconds",263,"startMs",6249000,"endMs",6512000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef&start=6249&end=6512","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef/thumbnail_6249000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171632/South-Dakota/Board-approves-classifiedstaff-agreement-with-pay-and-benefit-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171632-d46ce1549186cf50cf9a22e71d54371e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137078&Signature=hxeTGBTC5algesMz3l8Ht71wRAbqqBSHzTtM0ASMyduQG7WOytHpEEgtqH4HNNGR-04qy9CG95o9z9l8Y11zeQ5TvIoFOc9~zPK0SjqITr~CngxIErmf2Pe2sNUp18NVxFpRSxtJPn1c-YbUVfD-lEDK6f0GuwqakJmoyYgMKr4R30AD6sgHiPXmBGvBOLYRoUYvNb22~ZgOLiDz18l94TjdfFEMALgAk~HZhTfvrsQahaptNlqYL4zroCGiIViQzOs2qqv7jdc~7cYleDP8LLZJYI06q0Lf8mxTItMkWoSlxlHOrHU4WbDeDfPTTs-6YfGRTf1fYyWsd449CrTg9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vermillion School District 13-1","date","2025-07-15T01:50:22Z","article","The Vermillion School District 13‑1 School Board on July 14 approved the negotiated agreement with classified staff (paraprofessionals, educational assistants, building administrative assistants and school librarians) for 2025–26, the administration reported.

Key terms summarized by district staff included a 50¢ per hour wage increase for represented classified positions, and employer absorption of a 1% increase in single‑health insurance premiums and a 5% increase in single‑dental premiums. The agreement also modified sick‑leave payout and retirement resignation provisions (adjusting years of service thresholds and per‑day reimbursement levels), added two paid holidays during the December break, and preserved certain benefits such as district activity passes and bereavement and military leave provisions. The packet included job‑description attachments, grievance procedures, wage‑calculation worksheets and evaluation forms.

District staff told the board the bargaining teams spent time over the summer completing the contract and that the measures were negotiated to balance recruitment/retention with budget constraints. The board approved the agreement as part of a consent motion that also approved other items in the packet; the motion passed in open session.

Speakers
- Doctor Elvey, superintendent
- Negotiation team members (present but not individually named in transcript)

Authorities
- other: Collective bargaining agreement (negotiated agreement; referenced in meeting materials), referenced_by:[\"classified staff approval\"]

Actions
- motion: \"Approve negotiated agreement for classified staff including paraprofessionals, education assistants, building administrative assistants and school librarians.\" mover: \"Mike\" second: \"Mark\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Agreement includes wage increase and benefit adjustments.\" identifiers:{}

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: 50¢ per hour wage increase; employer absorbed insurance premium changes; sick‑leave payout changes; two paid holidays in December; attachments include grievance packet, job descriptions.
- Directions: staff to implement payroll and insurance changes and apply contract provisions effective for the negotiated term.
- Decisions: Agreement approved; staff to implement.

Clarifying details
- \"wage_increase\":\"$0.50 per hour for represented classified positions\"
- \"health_insurance_rate_change\":\"District absorbs 1% increase for single health insurance\"
- \"dental_insurance_rate_change\":\"District absorbs 5% increase for single dental insurance\"
- \"paid_holidays_added\":\"Two paid holidays during December break (paid in January paycheck)\"

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Vermillion School District 13-1\",\"type\":\"agency\"}

Community relevance
- geographies:[\"Vermillion, SD\"], impact_groups:[\"classified staff\",\"students\"], funding_sources:[]

Meeting context
- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":3,\"duration_minutes\":10,\"items_count\":1}, implementation_risk:\"low\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-07-14\",\"note\":\"Classified staff agreement approved and packet includes attachments for implementation.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"labor agreement\",\"classified staff\",\"wages\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s6249.98\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":320,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"For me to go through that, doctor Ellis? Please. You can see here there is a summary packet and then the new grama, which, isn't terribly lengthy. I think what do we end at? 19, 20 pages maybe? Not for sure. But, really good, work there for, both teams. Just summarizing from the summary page, there's a 50¢ per hour wage increase. For insurance, school district does absorb the 1% rate increase for single health insurance, and we will absorb the 5% rate increase increase for single dental health insurance.\",\"tc_start\":\"02:20:49\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s6352.68\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":160,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So, good work on the team. Appreciate everybody. That was a lot of, time spent in their valuable summer, so appreciate, everybody for that.\",\"tc_start\":\"02:25:52\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.48,\"overall_justification\":\"Agreement affects pay and benefits for classified staff and has operational implications for staffing and payroll.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Directly affects district employees and operations.\",\"attention_level\":\"medium\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Important to staff and families but routine to board operations.\"},","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-07-14 Vermillion School Board","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved a negotiated agreement for classified staff that raises hourly wages by 50¢ and includes health‑ and dental‑insurance rate adjustments and changes to leave payout rules.","taxTitle","Vermillion School District 13-1, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",55678,"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},6171637,"Elementary restroom plan must be reworked after state plumbing plan review denial",409,6457000,6866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef&start=6457&end=6866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef/thumbnail_6457000.jpg","/articles/6171637/South-Dakota/Elementary-restroom-plan-must-be-reworked-after-state-plumbing-plan-review-denial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171637-93aa33997cedd58a25ed537b5c4bc20d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137079&Signature=UD8rK4YV-vqlAyVU9pUEwb93aRsc6-AjeBKvCfwde2e6yP5wdA~eAE4~KYSTrL-3z4RSasKqRdXUySUF7nQmIScftvDwtANRYmvQSTyMhkSLxXl0aZnm3nkVuPZ~6M8hQzp4qRMxojRegVuaIDY29MLB0FP3NA8~wnU2~77Dq8CzwHwFH1VL0QGchoDDrXfW0ewOCReUPH0McIVRBlUdnMua5e1sCQr~-vWUY2dgc-9KkpjdSHid8ZWkfSUMwfuXslrwIiSsvdGsyK5uCZrulbnDEuTyDrpIVK65LcNJycjKmk8GXnG9bZfgVeZpkiFiTPUfCmSIXKCtCpgMhHGRgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators told the Vermillion School District 13‑1 board on July 14 that a planned run of unisex restrooms in the new elementary area failed plan review with the state plumbing official and must be reconfigured to a traditional boys/girls arrangement.

Superintendent remarks and concern: Doctor Elvey explained that the district’s originally designed unisex restrooms mirrored existing unisex facilities elsewhere in the building, but the state plumbing plan reviewer said the corridor and approach in the new design did not meet code interpretation for unisex stalls opening into a corridor. The reviewer told the district to revise the plan so the restroom approach meets the code interpretation or to reconfigure the space into separate boys’ and girls’ restrooms.

Impacts described by staff: The superintendent said the only practical way to meet the reviewer’s direction was to change the restroom configuration, which will require adding walls and reworking the interior layout; district staff said they would meet with the contractor and plumbing reviewer to resolve the issue and to seek waivers where appropriate. The district said it had asked for reconsideration and had been pursuing a meeting with state reviewers but had not yet secured a waiver.

Other facility work: The board heard updates that project work continues across the district, including roof sections at the high school, irrigation upgrades, middle‑school kitchen work, and replacement of theater house lights. Staff said they would coordinate any change order costs and report those to the board.

Speakers
- Doctor Elvey, superintendent
- John Walzer, facilities/maintenance designee (referenced by title in meeting)

Authorities
- other: State plumbing code and plan review (referenced during discussion), referenced_by: [\"elementary restroom plan review\"]

Actions
- No formal board action recorded; the item was informational. Staff to meet with contractor and state plumbing reviewer and return with revised plans and cost implications.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: plan review denial by state plumbing reviewer; reconfiguration options (reorient restrooms vs. remove supporting wall — not feasible); potential change‑order costs.
- Directions: staff to meet with plumbing reviewer and contractor, redesign restrooms to meet code interpretation, report back with revised plans and cost estimates.
- Decisions: none completed in public session; staff to pursue administrative resolution.

Clarifying details
- \"plan_review_finding\":\"State plan reviewer denied unisex restroom layout citing corridor approach and UBC code interpretation\" (as stated by superintendent)
- \"anticipated_adjustment\":\"Reconfigure to boys/girls restrooms by adding walls; custodial wall cannot be removed\" (stated by superintendent)

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Vermillion School District 13-1\",\"type\":\"agency\"}

Community relevance
- geographies:[\"Vermillion, SD\"], impact_groups:[\"elementary students\",\"parents\"], funding_sources:[]

Meeting context
- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":2,\"duration_minutes\":15,\"items_count\":1}, implementation_risk:\"medium\",\"history\":[{\"date\":\"2025-07-14\",\"note\":\"Plan review denial reported; staff pursuing redesign\"}] ,

searchable_tags:[\"facilities\",\"restroom\",\"plan review\",\"elementary school\"],

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s6457.43\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":560,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"You bet. Lots of things here again. First of all, thanks to the custodial staff and John Walzer and his crews for all the work they're doing around the school district, keeping everything clean and moving along. We're making great progress, but also just doing normal, you know, reconstruction, painting, carpet, all the things that go along with that. Facilities updates, some things there. We've been working with, you know, restroom work at the elementary school, which I shared with you guys in a memo, from Friday as we've had a little bit of a glitch with our our, restroom addition at the elementary school. The state plumbing. It's I'm just reading my note that I sent to you guys had denied our plan review for our 6 unisex bathrooms in our handicapped accessible bathroom, quoting that there was a UBC code indicating space allowed for the 7 stalls does not open into a corridor or hall, similar to the unisex bathrooms that you have in the main elementary. We designed those specifically to be like the ones at the elementary school.\",\"tc_start\":\"01:47:37\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s6646.77\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":220,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So that's where we're at is, basically, we've got a plan that looks like this 1 that you see on, you know, the gray, And John Walker and his crew will that are working on it. We'll we'll be meeting with them tomorrow to find out, because now we've been sitting on hold for a week, basically, trying to to work through this, asking for waivers. And this this plumbing inspector has has not been, ideal to work with. He's just very, very concrete sequential, and he says, I'm not going to sign off on your plan. You have to do it this way or stop stop doing your plan.\",\"tc_start\":\"01:50:46\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}] },

salience:{\"overall\":0.45,\"overall_justification\":\"Facility plan‑review issues affect project cost and schedule for the new elementary restroom area; important operationally but not core policy.\" ,\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Directly affects elementary students and the construction schedule in Vermillion.\" ,\"attention_level\":\"medium\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Potential cost and schedule implications; requires administrative follow‑up.\" }} ,{","District staff told the board that a state plumbing plan reviewer denied the district’s proposed unisex restroom layout for the new elementary area and required a traditional boys/girls configuration; the change will require redesign and likely a change order.",{"_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},6171642,"Vermillion board reorganizes leadership, names business manager and administrative designees",684,1254000,1938000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef&start=1254&end=1938","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef/thumbnail_1254000.jpg","/articles/6171642/South-Dakota/Vermillion-board-reorganizes-leadership-names-business-manager-and-administrative-designees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171642-9c14abbc17ed6aea3cd5957b6e825b40/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137079&Signature=lX1EzNke6qKNFoumU512XeBfr~qtRb6J~59S0Qoxsqh9iyrQTzPtpQ-t~0ix27BS5d~5FrRJTnmyzHd2btepJcOTjs0N12K016rK0VwLL~U35C8VBr3qUkMcGM-ZqjYXgC6WjDplFzo2l34CE5QaMMFLETITMZk5kE~ut-W4ZZI4PSnsiLrk3OiH1zS3vv9ih0fdOhBl0Ht-k7OveHA~zpcoGD7yYGgGJfWz7BOJi8oTSNKFURci59gbgFEOJwDOaMtB0FhjASZl-Z-aqQRhv9kFdsbefeS1~pMfrsjnWFjRWG~RoZi0sbJYaK96BhAogGMEHzuOjFb1rgEOKpJQIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the July 14 organization meeting the Vermillion School District 13‑1 School Board elected officers for the 2025–26 term, administered oaths of office to incoming members, and approved routine annual appointments and procedural designations.

Elections and oaths: Board members nominated and elected Rachel Olsen as board president (motion by Jacob, second by Mark; voice vote) and Carol Ward as vice president (nominated by Rachel Olsen, seconded by Mike Phelan; voice vote). Earlier in the meeting two members completed oaths of office for the 2025–26 term as part of the organization proceedings.

Annual appointments and designations: The board approved a slate of annual organizational items (items a through r on the agenda) that included: designating Kevin Kosher as business manager and custodial of accounts; appointing the superintendent as the ADA director/EEO officer and authorized title‑program representative; authorizing the superintendent to dismiss school in emergencies; appointing purchasing agents; authorizing check signers (board president and business manager); authorizing use of the facsimile stamp and signature plate for the board president by identified staff; appointing Jennifer Olafson as homeless/migrant director; appointing building staff as Section 504 co‑directors at their respective buildings; naming KSB (and Brent Madder Law as noted) as school attorneys; designating John Walzer as AHERA/asbestos designee; and designating First Bank and Trust and the South Dakota Public Funds Investment Trust (SD FIT) as official depositories. The Plain Talk was designated the official newspaper. The board set bonds for business‑office personnel at $400,000 and other district office personnel at $100,000.

Meeting schedule and board member compensation: The board set its regular meeting schedule at the second Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m., at City Hall, with contingency to move if the date falls on a holiday. Board member compensation remained at $60 per meeting with an enhanced rate for meetings exceeding two hours, as reflected in board packet materials.

Why it matters: Organization and annual appointments establish who may execute district business, sign checks, represent the district for federal programs and ensure compliance with state reporting and administrative requirements.

Speakers
- Rachel Olsen, board member / board president (elected)
- Carol Ward, board member / vice president (elected)
- Kevin Kosher, business manager
- Doctor Elvey, superintendent
- Jacob Skelton, board member
- Mark Winegar, board member
- Mike Phelan, board member

Authorities
- statute: South Dakota Codified Law 3-23 (conflict of interest disclosure referenced in meeting), referenced_by: [\"conflict of interest disclosures\"]
- statute: South Dakota Codified Law 1-25-1 (open meetings annual review referenced), referenced_by: [\"organization meeting process\"]

Actions
- motion: \"Elect Rachel Olsen as board president for 2025–26.\" mover: \"Jacob\" second: \"Mark\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Voice vote conducted; Olsen assumed gavel.\" identifiers:{}
- motion: \"Elect Carol Ward as vice president for 2025–26.\" mover: \"Rachel Olsen (nomination)\" second: \"Mike\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Voice vote.\" identifiers:{}
- motion: \"Approve organizational items a through r including business manager designation, depositories, check signers, and appointments.\" mover: \"Carol\" second: \"Mike\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Annual routine appointments approved.\" identifiers:{}

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: conflict‑of‑interest disclosures were read aloud by each trustee and noted where an interest existed (e.g., Jacob Skelton noted that his wife substitutes in the district; Mike Phelan noted ownership of a local bookstore that sells titles to the district below market price); confirmations of depository and bond amounts.
- Directions: staff to file oaths and organize signatures and depository paperwork.
- Decisions: Election of officers and approval of annual appointments.

Clarifying details
- \"official_depositories\":\"First Bank and Trust; South Dakota Public Funds Investment Trust (SD FIT)\"
- \"official_newspaper\":\"Plain Talk\"
- \"bond_amounts_business_office\":400000
- \"bond_amounts_other_office_personnel\":100000

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"First Bank and Trust\",\"type\":\"business\"}
- {\"name\":\"South Dakota Public Funds Investment Trust (SD FIT)\",\"type\":\"other\"}
- {\"name\":\"Plain Talk\",\"type\":\"other\"}
- {\"name\":\"KSB\",\"type\":\"organization\"}

Community relevance
- geographies:[\"Vermillion, SD\"], impact_groups:[\"district taxpayers\",\"students\",\"staff\"], funding_sources:[]

Meeting context
- engagement_level:{\"speakers_count\":8,\"duration_minutes\":40,\"items_count\":20}, implementation_risk:\"low\", history:[]

searchable_tags:[\"organization\",\"appointments\",\"oaths\",\"depository\"]

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s1254.59\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":140,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Alright. It is, time to, organize for the 2526 school term, and so under our first order of business is we would take nominations for school board president.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:20:54\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s1861.82\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":96,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Alright. We have a first by Carol. Second. Second by Mike. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Post, same sign. Motion passes.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:31:01\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}] } , ","At the July 14 meeting the Vermillion School District 13‑1 board elected Rachel Olsen president, Carol Ward vice president, administered oaths, and approved annual administrative appointments and procedural designations including depositories and check signers.",{"_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},6171648,"Board pauses on library‑materials and gender‑equity policy changes after legal review request",3492,3147000,6639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef&start=3147&end=6639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6171648/South-Dakota/Board-pauses-on-librarymaterials-and-genderequity-policy-changes-after-legal-review-request","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171648-b6d16c1db970454c145ac8950aaca6ee/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137079&Signature=CMI-qock79tVDlg7xCFlgpKjo~EPEaikt~KQKbnV4pSDcSEY7SYlHfkKqMqvkXXKTuoZhNCOD6X2fU~Gg9pSMwhIMVgw09k0W8SjXk80iQdnVXHqKBQ0T7pNRykrjgKf0AncmaHKpalggQJXXjWvss~AWgXqxVawK0ZPTvrLHgvy9O4mkn0xloP24mHEI9eA61sT9iSdBWTXwrp9GHbh7XBLcri83ZBQaWh-wjg2R4qQtMrGtvNkPmhF5cnwWbhFjv~Aoz8OId~3F6QQzMYc124wdUYgy93msFWQRNhzVxOYqsL3pqnmvqKen0Tx2QHQv6Zsv9Q-EZ9WoSS9zGf4-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vermillion School District 13‑1 policy committee presented a package of policy updates on July 14 and the school board approved most recommended changes but held two items — the library‑materials review policy and the gender‑equity and access policy — for additional legal review and later action.

The policy committee told the board that KSB, the district’s legal firm, had recommended edits to many policies to align with recent state law and administrative guidance, and committee members explained the recommended changes during the board meeting. The board approved a large set of updates — including updates tied to state law on background checks, procurement thresholds, record retention, Title IX wording adjustments, and time‑away rules for facilities — but paused two items where committee members and some board members disagreed on specifics and legal exposure.

Library materials and review process: Committee members said recent state legislation (referred to in the meeting as HB 12‑39) requires school districts to prevent minors’ access to obscene materials through filtering on public‑access computers and to provide an appeals process that allows a school board decision to be subject to judicial review. KSB’s draft included a more detailed review process and a five‑year limitation on re‑reviews. Some board members supported KSB’s suggested process because it creates an administrative trail and shields classroom teachers; others objected to portions of the draft — notably a requirement (in the draft’s section 7) that staff list potential political, religious or social perspectives in material summaries — as overly broad and potentially chilling to normal instructional selection. The board agreed to send the library‑materials policy back for a cleaner version and to request specific legal scenarios from KSB showing the implications of including or striking the contested language.

Gender‑equity and access policy: The district’s existing policy on gender identity and access generated the most significant disagreement. The policy committee reported that KSB recommended removing the district’s standalone gender‑equity policy because state statute enacted this year (discussed in the meeting as HB 12‑59) changes the legal landscape for how public facilities and school programs must be handled. The superintendent and the policy committee recommended removing the policy from the manual to align with the attorney’s advice and to avoid a legal challenge that could draw state attention to the district; other board members pressed to preserve protections and language for transgender and gender‑nonconforming students, or at minimum to annotate the policy to indicate which provisions are currently unenforceable under state law and would come back into effect if state law changed.

Committee and attorney involvement: Board members asked for more written legal analysis. The policy committee chair and district administrators said KSB had advised the board and that KSB would provide details if requested; the board asked district staff to schedule follow‑up counsel time so trustees could question the attorney directly before final action. The board specifically asked KSB to provide example scenarios that show legal risk of including contested language in the library policy’s selection steps and to explain the legal basis for recommending removal of the gender‑equity policy.

Board action and next steps: The board approved the package of policy changes except for the library‑materials review policy and the gender‑equity policy; the board asked administrators to obtain KSB legal scenarios and to return a cleaned, annotated draft in time for a subsequent meeting so staff can finalize handbooks for the coming school year. The motion to approve the majority of policy changes (with the two exceptions) passed in public session.

Speakers
- Mike Phelan, board member (policy committee participant)
- Jacob Skelton, board member (policy committee participant)
- Doctor Elvey, superintendent
- Tyler (KSB attorney, referenced by staff as the district’s counsel)
- Carol Ward, board member

Authorities
- statute: South Dakota Codified Law 1-25-1 (open meetings) (referenced with respect to annual open‑meetings review), referenced_by: [\"open meetings review\"]
- other: Bill HB 12‑39 (described in meeting as relating to library computer filtering and appeals), referenced_by: [\"library materials policy discussion\"]
- other: Bill HB 12‑59 (described in meeting as relating to public‑facility restroom/overnight‑accommodations language that affects gender‑equity policy), referenced_by: [\"gender‑equity policy discussion\"]
- other: KSB (law firm) — counsel and policy recommendations, referenced_by: [\"policy committee recommendations\"]

Actions
- motion: \"Approve recommended policy updates a–r, with the exception of the library‑materials policy and the gender‑equity policy to be returned for legal review and revision.\" mover: \"Mike\" second: \"Mark\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Board approved multiple policy updates but deferred two items for further counsel review.\" identifiers:{}

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: KSB’s recommended language to comply with new state law; contested language in library selection process (section 7) that would require listing perspectives deemed non‑universal; whether the district’s gender‑equity policy should remain in the manual or be removed to align with state law.
- Directions: staff to request written legal scenarios from KSB; schedule a meeting with KSB counsel for board Q&A; rewrite the library policy to a cleaner draft that shows options with/without contested language; consider narrow edits or annotations to the gender‑equity policy rather than wholesale removal if legally feasible.
- Decisions: Approved the bulk of recommended policy updates; deferred the library‑materials and gender‑equity policies pending legal analysis.

Clarifying details
- \"library_bill_referenced\":\"HB 12-39\" (as stated by presenters; meeting participants described its primary requirement as filtering obscene materials on public access computers and requiring appeals and judicial review)
- \"gender_policy_bill_referenced\":\"HB 12-59\" (as stated by presenters; described as affecting restroom/overnight accommodations and public facilities)
- \"KSB_recommendation\":\"KSB recommended a streamlined Title IX and other wording updates and proposed a detailed library review process; also advised removal of the district gender policy per counsel guidance.\"

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"KSB\",\"type\":\"organization\"}
- {\"name\":\"HB 12-39\",\"type\":\"other\"}
- {\"name\":\"HB 12-59\",\"type\":\"other\"}

Community relevance
- geographies:[\"Vermillion, SD\",\"state of South Dakota\"]
- impact_groups:[\"students\",\"parents\",\"teachers\",\"library staff\"]
- funding_sources:[]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":6,\"duration_minutes\":150,\"items_count\":6}
- implementation_risk: \"high\"
- history:[{\"date\":\"2025-07-14\",\"note\":\"Policy committee presented KSB recommendations; board deferred two items for counsel review.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"policy\",\"library materials\",\"gender equity\",\"KSB\",\"HB1239\",\"HB1259\"]

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s3147.285\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":320,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Yeah. So policy committee, met with, doctor Alvey, on the June 30 and went through, recommendations for policy changes, from KSB, our law firm, based mostly on state law. I will note that there for most of these are were all in agreement, and, I'll go through those first, and then there are some that we are not in agreement. And we'll present those to the to the board more specifically.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:52:27\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s6399.275\",\"local_start\":0,","The policy committee recommended multiple policy updates; the board approved most but deferred a library‑materials review policy and the district’s gender‑equity policy for further legal guidance and discussion.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171652,"Vermillion school board adopts 2025–26 budget, declares special-education open enrollment closed",2043,63000,2106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef&start=63&end=2106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5393742-73a747b93199b884b8ebea619ed82cef/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6171652/South-Dakota/Vermillion-school-board-adopts-202526-budget-declares-special-education-open-enrollment-closed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171652-a3828d4f8df0ba9c0a8a5f5a5120a2f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137079&Signature=CelvGMHKjYkpCf0-9TaqDzdgNiNwJTqL7YW~hW~eFkaKXSp1Q0FuIc-cRXigIYOdubtSJvl~jTuymbyDZlKE54Ec5GuUltWA7m~0YNYUIUhMShTFKPl5G5tJ7W4DkhcFlAkgrFYC06gXvJ5BnVS62FdsfGySmIM~xz0DLc0Dsq~yN1vnToK-QNfis8qAlA2f7qWq~ljkpPyt0KL6Cy3seGlpQ2a~hI1lQiAhe~FQ0f-ZUBgkpOJtkzjOsgYq6GHJgXzPZ43zbApAikztcd~PAiCaK1we8yAhQ~f6BWzz0TAOSduq-13hGPsCZLnDmkTyRu6PyKy9UYVUNk3yHMRCMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vermillion School District 13‑1 School Board on July 14 approved the district’s fiscal year 2025–26 annual budget and the district’s levy requests, and the board declared the district’s special‑education department at capacity and closed special‑education open enrollments.

Board action adopted the district’s presented totals for the fiscal year running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026: General Fund $12,917,748; Capital Outlay Fund $3,278,175; Special Education Fund $3,361,630; Debt Service Fund $1,377,500; Food Service Program Fund $1,054,000; Enterprise Fund $176,050. The board also certified levy requests and other levy elements to county auditors as read at the meeting.

The budget matters were presented by the finance committee and district staff, who framed the budget around a modest enrollment decline and constrained revenues. The budget presentation said district enrollment used for budgeting was 1,385 students last year and the district projects 1,340 students for 2025–26. Staff told the board projected state aid includes an increase the state set at 1.25% and that the district is conservatively estimating revenues while budgeting expenditures to not exceed available resources.

District staff identified primary revenue drivers as local property taxes and state aid. Staff described revenue adjustments including: increased taxable valuation driving capital outlay property‑tax revenue; a 7% increase in taxable valuation from 2024 to 2025 noted for the district; some federal grant carryover being used in earlier years; and use of an allowed transfer from the capital outlay fund to the general fund (staff noted a planned $300,000 transfer). The budget presentation also listed federal grant changes including reductions where carryover was used and increases tied to a high‑school TSI grant that funds the JAG position and related professional development.

On the expenditure side, the budget incorporates a 2% pay increase for returning staff and adds a third‑grade teacher and a JAG coordinator at the high school. Transportation costs reflect ability to use 15% of capital‑outlay payments to support bus-related costs; the district also noted a small increase in contracted bus rates and higher travel costs for student activities. Operations and maintenance increases were attributed primarily to higher property‑insurance premiums, which staff said have grown between about 13% and 30% in recent years and to costs associated with the new elementary school building.

Staff reported fund‑balance targets and planned use of reserves in several funds. For the general fund the packet and presentation said the district budgeted approximately $404,000 of reserves to be used (described by staff as around 3% of the general‑fund total, a target level). The special‑education fund included a planned use of about $475,000 of reserves; staff explained that special‑education state aid is subject to a roughly one‑year lag and the district’s current fund balance affects next year’s special‑education aid. Food service fund reserves were discussed at roughly $45,000, which staff said they will monitor.

After the budget presentation the board voted to adopt the budget and levy requests (motion to adopt moved by Jacob, second by Carol; motion passed). Later in the meeting, during new business, the board formally declared the special‑education department to be at capacity and directed that the district will not accept new special‑education open‑enrollment requests at this time. The motion to declare the special‑education department at capacity and close special‑education open enrollments was moved and second during the board’s approval of several organizational items and passed in the public meeting.

The board packet and discussion also noted several one‑time and capital items included in the capital‑outlay budget, such as theatre house lights, irrigation upgrades, classroom furnishings, and an athletic‑facility visual display project partially supported by the Vermillion Athletic Boosters and the Vermillion Public School Foundation. Staff emphasized multi‑year planning for large, one‑time capital purchases and said the capital‑outlay fund showed flexibility due in part to prior project completion.

What the board approved
- Adopted the 2025–26 annual budget totals as read at the meeting and certified levy requests to county auditors.
- Declared the special‑education program at capacity and closed special‑education open enrollments until capacity changes.

What remains for staff and the board
- Staff will continue routine monitoring of fund balances, grant carryover, and enrollment trends.
- The board requested continued attention to special‑education staffing; staff reported a current active vacancy for an additional special‑education teacher that remains advertised.

Speakers
- Kevin Kosher, business manager (presented depository/banking, bond and procedural items)
- Jacob (finance committee presenter)
- Doctor Elvey, superintendent
- Rachel Olsen, board president
- Carol Ward, board member
- Jacob Skelton, board member
- Mark Winegar, board member
- Mike Phelan, board member

Authorities
- statute: South Dakota Codified Law 13-11-2 (referenced for budget publication), referenced_by: [\"budget adoption\"]
- statute: South Dakota Codified Law 1-25-1 (open‑meetings requirement cited during organization/announcements), referenced_by: [\"budget hearing\",\"organization meeting\"]
- other: South Dakota High School Activities Association (policies referenced by staff for sport physicals), referenced_by: [\"policy changes noting duplication\"]

Actions
- motion: \"Adopt the proposed budget and changes thereto to be its annual budget for the fiscal year 07/01/2025 through 06/30/2026.\" mover: \"Jacob\" second: \"Carol\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Adopted budget totals and certified levies as read.\" identifiers: {}
- motion: \"Declare the special‑education department at capacity and close special‑education open enrollments.\" mover: \"Jacob\" second: \"Mark\" vote_record: [] outcome: \"approved\" notes: \"Staff: special‑education vacancies remain; program will not accept new open‑enrollment special‑education students until capacity changes.\"

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion points: enrollment decline; revenue drivers (property tax and state aid increases); insurance premium increases; grant carryover; capital projects.
- Directions: staff to monitor reserves, pursue filling special‑education vacancy, implement capital projects as budgeted.
- Decisions: budget adopted; special‑education open enrollment closed.

Clarifying details
- \"budget_enrollment_last_year\": 1,385 (stated)
- \"budget_enrollment_projection\": 1,340 (stated)
- \"general_fund_budget_total\": 12,917,748
- \"capital_outlay_budget_total\": 3,278,175
- \"special_education_budget_total\": 3,361,630
- \"debt_service_budget_total\": 1,377,500
- \"food_service_budget_total\": 1,054,000
- \"enterprise_fund_total\": 176,050
- \"planned_general_fund_reserves_use\": 404000 (described as about 3% target)
- \"planned_special_education_reserves_use\": 475000
- \"noted_transfer_from_capital_outlay_to_general\": 300000 (stated in presentation)
- \"property_tax_valuation_increase\": 7% (from 24 to 25, stated)

Proper names
- {\"name\":\"Vermillion School District 13-1\",\"type\":\"agency\"}
- {\"name\":\"Vermillion Public School Foundation\",\"type\":\"organization\"}
- {\"name\":\"Vermillion Athletic Boosters\",\"type\":\"organization\"}
- {\"name\":\"Johnson Controls\",\"type\":\"business\"}

Community relevance
- geographies: [\"Vermillion, SD\",\"Clay County, SD\",\"Union County, SD\"]
- funding_sources: [\"local property taxes\",\"state aid\",\"federal grants (ESSER, TSI, COPS, E‑Rate)\"]
- impact_groups: [\"students in Vermillion School District\",\"special‑education students\",\"taxpayers\"]

Meeting context
- engagement_level: {\"speakers_count\":8,\"duration_minutes\":120,\"items_count\":20}
- implementation_risk: \"medium\"
- history: [{\"date\":\"2024-06-09\",\"note\":\"Minutes referenced in consent agenda.\"}]

searchable_tags:[\"budget\",\"levy\",\"special education\",\"capital outlay\",\"Vermillion\"]

provenance:{\"transcript_segments\":[{\"block_id\":\"s63.11\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":245,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"So, just reviewing the budget, we'll have some slides up that'll have, the budget itself. But just as a reminder, sorry about that. So just as a reminder, the budget is split into, 6 different categories, and so we'll have them on the, the screen here and go through, each of them. Any questions, certainly lehi us know, but that'll, explain kind of the incoming revenue for the district to that particular fund and then the money going out, which will be the expenditures for each of the different categories.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:01:03\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"},{\"block_id\":\"s1886.0651\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":220,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"We, went over the specifics of the budget, at the budget hearing. Thank you to our finance committee for all of the help, presenting that and on the decision making as we went through that process. I will read the motion here that we would be required to have to both pass the budget and to set the levies for the upcoming year to, meet all the revenues that that we have outlined in our budget.\",\"tc_start\":\"00:31:26\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}]},

salience:{\"overall\":0.88,\"overall_justification\":\"Adoption of an annual school budget and levies sets district spending levels and taxes for the coming year; impacts staffing, programs, and taxpayers.\",\"impact_scope\":\"local\",\"impact_scope_justification\":\"Directly affects Vermillion School District households and property taxpayers.\",\"attention_level\":\"high\",\"attention_level_justification\":\"Budget adoption and special‑education capacity decisions are time‑sensitive and have immediate operational implications.\"},

engagement_forecast:{\"newsworthiness\":{\"national\":0.05,\"regional\":0.20,\"local\":0.90,\"justification\":\"Local fiscal policy and special‑education capacity are primarily of local interest; limited regional relevance.\"},\"notify_recommendation\":{\"audience\":\"city\",\"reason\":\"Local taxpayers and families with students should be notified about budget adoption, levy requests, and special‑education capacity closure.\",\"justification\":\"High local impact on services and taxes.\"}}},{","The Vermillion School District 13‑1 board approved the 2025–26 budget, set levy requests, and moved to close special‑education open enrollment because the district says the special‑education program is at capacity.","actionData","errors"]

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