[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6163145,"mediaKeyId","5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4","parentId",5436488,"title","Superintendent outlines back-to-school operations: construction status, bus-pass deadline, free meal applications and enrollment trends","audioSeconds",600,"startMs",497955,"endMs",1098425,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4&start=497&end=1098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4/thumbnail_497955.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6163145/South-Dakota/Superintendent-outlines-back-to-school-operations-construction-status-bus-pass-deadline-free-meal-applications-and-enrollment-trends","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163145-d3776b8e80ede0c36ab9080a4540c4a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054007&Signature=g9ixxtQd0dgsOKdAWF8oQ5VgXpr5TofeLRv7jJiPyIer6drEZQI2kovbe58ykIWv201OFplt-BeC9Zyw~pejCPjl0SnWZ32OD6l~1ec1AyrI-54~pz8Ld5fbKgf1AizFmnOIMHEtIeIEJME2G1PVaAfEfQ7yRkzvCJ1lpqWQBY8JhracYGp6-WjdmidQzC-IRTbf9BkNrZv8OfiUzLz80zNGw2Oxqijk4mCFDvrRWAnTbojQ4cIrsuGXqeQY-7z0dnrdliISA1laqZyrHiOrz1HB4XfYJR8V5cMxOcjJMNE9DrjCtSdC5oTtPs9fGbekQcO~-tFZkO4Ki0Hxz-dXww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-22T03:32:57.92Z","article","Superintendent Larson told the Brandon Valley School District Board of Education that district facilities and operational preparations are progressing for the new school year but noted continuing construction, a firm bus-pass deadline and uncertainty in final enrollment counts.

Larson summarized facility work across schools: Brandon Valley High School commons and the auxiliary gym are being refurbished (the auxiliary gym is receiving a decades-overdue paint job); the Brandon Valley Middle School addition is roughly 50% complete with the district citing about a year remaining on that project and a focus on completing a parking lot and a west-side kitchen addition before school starts. Berkman Valley Elementary (project name as recorded) will be about 50% complete after the payment processed at this meeting. Other schools received flooring, concrete repair, asphalt and sidewalk work.

Why it matters: Ongoing construction affects building access, traffic patterns and the district's readiness to open for students; bus routing and a firm bus-pass deadline are critical operational items for thousands of riders.

On transportation, Larson said the district is routing approximately 2,000 students and set a bus-pass purchase deadline of July 25. The district has sent phone calls, emails and marquee notices and will issue reminders before the deadline; staff stressed that late enrollments complicate route timing and schedules. Larson said the district will work to accommodate students if a closure or road delay persists at the start of school, but that closures such as the 20 Sixth Street work between Veterans and 6 Mile Road could cause delays if not completed.

Larson said the free and reduced meal application is open and that the district will again provide free meals to those who qualify for reduced-price status for the 2025-26 school year; families must complete the application in Skyward to qualify. The district will present student meal rates for board approval later in the agenda.

On staffing and calendars, Larson said new staff will be brought in on Aug. 12, staff report for in-service Aug. 14, a full in-service day is Aug. 18, and the all-staff welcome is Aug. 19 at approximately 10:10–10:30 a.m. The first day for grades 1–12 is Aug. 20; junior kindergarten and kindergarten students will have staggered start meetings and early childhood begins Aug. 25.

Enrollment remains in flux. Larson characterized the current numbers as a little old and said enrollment trends have improved in recent weeks; he said the district is \"cautiously optimistic\" it will be near 5,200 students but could not confirm a final count until the August 9 board meeting. He noted that families both enroll and withdraw during the summer and that staff will have firmer numbers in August.

Ending: Larson invited board members to several upcoming events, urged families to meet the bus-pass deadline and complete meal applications, and said staff will continue to monitor construction and routing to minimize disruptions when classes begin.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Brandon Valley Annual Organizational Board Meeting 07/21/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Larson reported multiple facility projects nearing completion, warned of roadwork that may affect start-of-school travel, reiterated a July 25 bus-pass deadline for routing approximately 2,000 riders, confirmed free/reduced meal applications are open and offered an approximate enrollment projection near 5,200.","taxTitle","Brandon Valley School District 49-2, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",65993,"location","South Dakota","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6163150,"Brandon Valley board approves $7.9 million in bills; major purchases include desktops, Chromebooks and construction payments",127,342630,470495,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4&start=342&end=470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4/thumbnail_342630.jpg","/articles/6163150/South-Dakota/Brandon-Valley-board-approves-79-million-in-bills-major-purchases-include-desktops-Chromebooks-and-construction-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163150-9186bfe274f758e44fee4397509fe44f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054007&Signature=QEw4mQN34SG05~AlgIHZj~PSvKD~1n9TBpwCaWRl23SWAPuknD0zcUZSsGPIeuhVotNsWSg9oQIHum8ndv94eoAecQ7qpya8HP6n69EldjIwXvpj-k6bCe7rFl327tXdrcpeVWfxHDUwXGwLEREHGX8tbhF2bThyGp9UG30Ed~jc3fJHCbavJ7ucRi2l6PvYZuQr3miwJ~UaVrrlcHJHBttnqv2sx2~L9l4fYyz1rdAlofywyVkDzwYTV~T5WaPRCA5IP6Cs5U3-s78DBHjgv2LZSSObn4d6ib0Io6BQLFQaos8I4Hkw95jsPZH2pVx6VGXegS7cqpTnIs56d5zZsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brandon Valley School District Board of Education approved $7,895,471 in bills and claims at its July meeting, including technology purchases, a large Chromebook order and construction progress payments, the district's finance officer reported.

The payments were presented by Mr. Lundberg, who said the bill listing included $177,700 to Byte Speed LLC for about 200 desktop computers and a High Point Networks Chromebook purchase for the high school of about $1.4 million. A construction payment (payment number 10) to Pesca Construction of $1,200,000 was noted as bringing the Berkman Valley Elementary project to roughly 50% completion with about a year remaining on the schedule. The board also approved $2.6 million in debt service payments to U.S. Bank tied to capital allocation certificates and general obligation bonds for multiple school projects.

Why it matters: The approved claims cover major capital and technology expenditures that affect classroom resources, ongoing construction projects and the district's debt obligations.

Mr. Lundberg summarized the district's June cash report: beginning cash around $38.7 million, $5 million of receipts and $7.5 million from the middle school addition capital outlay debt issuance, total funds to account for of roughly $51.2 million, and $7.765 million of disbursements leaving an ending cash balance near $43.4 million. Fund balances he listed included about $11.7 million in the general fund and roughly $6.0 million in the capital fund; other funds included special education and bond redemption totals. He did not read every line of the detailed financial statements but referenced a capital projects statement and project-specific summaries for Berkman Valley and the middle school addition.

The board moved to approve the bills and claims after questions were invited and none were raised. A motion to approve was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

On payroll and benefits, Mr. Lundberg reported June payroll of $2,868,000 and deductions and benefits of about $1.7 million. The district's food service reported a $400,000 loss versus a projected $300,000 loss, increasing the shortfall by roughly $100,000 and bringing that fund's balance to $1,673,000.

The board then approved the monthly financial report by motion and voice vote.

Ending: The approved claims will be paid as presented; staff provided project-level financial statements for upcoming board review and the board scheduled further review of the capital project reports and the food service deficit as part of routine financial oversight.","The board approved $7,895,471 in bills and claims that include technology purchases, Chromebook rollout, construction draw payments and debt service; financial reports show June cash and several fund balances.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6163155,"Brandon Valley board administers oaths, elects officers and approves spouse employment waiver",113,44975,158565,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4&start=44&end=158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5436488-a1c890e45e875c521cf8ef735cd66bd4/thumbnail_44975.jpg","/articles/6163155/South-Dakota/Brandon-Valley-board-administers-oaths-elects-officers-and-approves-spouse-employment-waiver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6163155-92ac731bcf8585d0d84f65f9e327c457/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054007&Signature=WjHdXf5TWwkjOUlwaTq7~oVVR31QxM8UlFriw9wgNMOhvA6LlOWEvVsJFShAD3bJMLehHjCiOzuooaaY5zVUXSogio0BIJC1YooT1YrwILzrYYr6dH1L-MDAdVxrJZ~05zDCbOp7TtJf08cUPkq5x2BqkGgHnn2CaKiePRtSLqotIfC69LwkbmWmgj9R20Mx-JhTu-~sIh7-TR6zlP69FaMXilq8v0SewtGffdw-LftvlIs-x9SUhknRdStrfrmKNr3H0uGhcXB0uL15jGTwunXFRJRRLpCXGgtyHbQZnFmlszsR8MGpcaHz1HYkrgfBdoKH4AMc59Sv3w8-UQ0coQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Brandon Valley School District Board of Education administered oaths of office to two newly elected board members, then unanimously elected board officers and approved a conflict-of-interest waiver at its July meeting. Mr. Lundberg administered the oaths; the board then voted to install the officers and granted a waiver for a board member whose spouse is employed by the district.

The actions came at the start of the board meeting after the pledge of allegiance. Mr. Lundberg read the oath for a board member identified in the record as Renee (first name only), who had been elected without opposition and accepted the oath. The board then administered the oath by telephone to David Bell, who also had been elected without opposition.

Why it matters: Election and ethics actions set the board's leadership and clarify conflicts of interest for the coming year. Granting a waiver for a member whose spouse works for the district prevents a formal disqualification while preserving the board's obligation to disclose and manage potential conflicts.

After the oath administration, the board held officer elections. A motion to nominate Renee (first name only) for board president received no further nominations; the board moved to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot. The chair announced the vote as 5-0 in favor. Greg Odey was nominated and elected vice president after a motion to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot.

Separately, a board member disclosed that their spouse is employed by the district as a school nurse and asked the board to grant the statutorily required annual waiver. That disclosure was made during the conflict-of-interest item. A motion to accept the waiver was made and seconded; the board approved the waiver by voice vote (motion passed; no roll-call tally recorded in the minutes).

Discussion versus formal action: The transcript records the oath language, the nominations and the motions to cease nominations and cast unanimous ballots; it also records the disclosure about the spouse's employment and the motion to accept the waiver. The board discussion on the waiver was limited to the disclosure and the subsequent motion; no conditions or limits on the waiver were recorded.

Meeting procedural items that followed included approval of the agenda and minutes and the board moving on to financial and administrative business.

Ending note: The board announced its officers and recorded the waiver; further procedural and substantive agenda items were considered after these formal openings.","The Brandon Valley School District Board of Education administered oaths to two newly elected members, unanimously elected board officers and approved a conflict-of-interest waiver for a board member whose spouse works for the district.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Superintendent outlines back-to-school operations: construction status, bus-pass deadline, free meal applications and enrollment trends

Brandon Valley board approves $7.9 million in bills; major purchases include desktops, Chromebooks and construction payments

Brandon Valley board administers oaths, elects officers and approves spouse employment waiver