[{"_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",6462093,"mediaKeyId","5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d","parentId",5812010,"title","District report shows most graduates enroll at South Dakota universities; career-readiness test to be discontinued locally","audioSeconds",367,"startMs",1138000,"endMs",1505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d&start=1138&end=1505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d/thumbnail_1138000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6462093/South-Dakota/District-report-shows-most-graduates-enroll-at-South-Dakota-universities-career-readiness-test-to-be-discontinued-locally","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462093-570f171e38b4881513581b2c60325724/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516016&Signature=iYVnOgL2ptBsA43Alz0VlDhhX7DkWHvd~H5mOzvIZz5uZX-S2JanBH7ltfsvgX33Zo1NCt95e2gh7rFx2bUiR-clz5FE-oohPhz-n4yIk3qFD4F3-Wsd9kpfAAXpXWPF92MCME37ua1HssoARw0Yr1wq9lHu71MUusW9sdy-y4l2GG178g9DrUVqJ-oW8JHQ6In7fGmJePrN3RGKN88xWOK3bB99pIn0CcCs5k9DqGldRifhWdtnE4DzWjDuu-n~9qOnHM39Fdw--kfSxa0lFkvic~uUrdaq3Mo16RiOlIxjVi9JAl9wDj3vl1v-I39jLxjQRHGH15RASy4KflP16g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sioux Falls School District","date","2025-09-23T00:14:32.297Z","article","Dr. Zeke, the district staff member who presented the Sioux Falls School District 49‑5 post‑secondary report, told the school board the district tracks where graduates go after high school to inform curriculum and program planning.

The presentation showed that roughly 59% of graduates enroll in some form of post‑secondary education during their first year, and that the top destinations for district graduates include South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota and Southeast Technical College. “A high percentage of our students who graduate in the Sioux Falls from the Sioux Falls school district go to South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota,” Dr. Zeke said.

The report included multi‑year tracking that follows cohorts for several years after graduation and highlighted different student pathways: immediate employment, two‑year and four‑year schools, technical training, apprenticeships and returning to education after gap years.

Dr. Zeke also said the district will no longer administer the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) in the district. He described the change as tied to an earlier state initiative that had paid for testing through the Department of Labor; “they are no longer gonna do that moving forward. So we chose not to follow that, going into this year,” he said. In the district’s final year of administering the assessment, he said about 89% of students who took it achieved a bronze level or higher.

Board members asked how the data informs curriculum decisions such as dual credit, career and technical education (CTE) and internships. Dr. Zeke said district staff meet with local post‑secondary partners including Southeast Technical College, SDSU and USD to align course offerings and discussed new initiatives such as an apprenticeship program allowing juniors and seniors to earn wages and credentials during the school day or summer. He also referenced an emerging cyber apprenticeship program and a teacher pathway program that allows paraeducators to earn credentials while gaining classroom experience.

A board member asked about supports for first‑generation college students. Dr. Zeke said the district partners with TRIO programs from USD and SDSU and is piloting college and career access counselors at Jefferson High School to help students secure dual credit and other supports. Board members suggested a future work session to show the career exploration process from middle school through high school.

A motion to acknowledge the post‑secondary report was made and approved by voice vote.

The board did not set policy changes in the presentation; presenters and board members described the report as informational and said it will guide discussion of curriculum alignment and pathway expansion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 9-22-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Zeke, the district staff member who presented the post‑secondary report, told the Sioux Falls School District 49‑5 Board of Education the district tracks graduate pathways to inform curriculum and program planning.","taxTitle","Sioux Falls School District 49-5, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",12940,"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},6462098,"Terry Redlin librarian describes programs behind district library award",145,783000,928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d&start=783&end=928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d/thumbnail_783000.jpg","/articles/6462098/South-Dakota/Terry-Redlin-librarian-describes-programs-behind-district-library-award","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462098-814939e2cbf7fc6a003cb0f411aa0699/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516016&Signature=OCvDnCeUQ8dD6SWLTsGoiBzTBBDOTPo6733YSv5tXczoT-JQBHbY2N4~ez7fLcc3j0QalhGGwM2gXXBWvICaLxuyL04JwgYLVT81ghY-uGXSSsxOdHgO8gW7TRZaoApiWDHvqmRG4vSV4e81xlIcVUSO~MGdnzp8IDKEt-7ctKDWI0YCMqrtArDTnLx7jfCANLHVSgPBdjJKkchadLJhPXobHUiIMfn2WJl4RiyqX1CuBA6n6B~1TY2R~fLrnKfdvutrf3-0C7AkWQbAKoP2tb1BQMSgDAlCtu7ncEOznGtevHb7ajIDhWEarUvBmFKfL92Xc6cR4g-LKM3Ip2aeKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stephanie Hague, the librarian at Terry Redlin Elementary, told the Sioux Falls School District 49-5 Board of Education that a series of literacy and hands-on STEM offerings helped the school be recognized with a district library award.

Hague said Terry Redlin’s library held a “One Book, One School” initiative, Read Across America events, summer reading incentives, a book swap and “book tastings” to introduce students to new genres. “The book vending machine added a little fun and interactive way to reward our readers who demonstrated outstanding behavior,” she said.

Hague credited partnerships with classroom teachers, building administration, the district foundation and volunteers for the programs’ reach. She also thanked the district: “We appreciate the Sioux Falls School District and your support of our schools as we continue to build our lifelong learners and readers and we are truly grateful.”

Board members praised the library’s work. One member noted past traditions at John Harris — including a reading dog and gingerbread house displays — and said the library had been “an integral part” of that building’s community. Another board member relayed an anecdote from a retired teacher: after the first week of school a ninth‑year‑old could not stop telling a grandparent, “My librarian” was their favorite teacher.

The board approved the minutes, agenda and consent agenda earlier in the meeting, and there were no formal votes tied specifically to the library recognition. School officials said the district will provide a vinyl window cling reproducing the state seal to each recognized school to display the award for 2025–2028.

Board members asked Hague to stay nearby for questions and congratulated the Terry Redlin staff.","Terry Redlin Elementary librarian Stephanie Hague outlined reading and STEM programs that helped the school win a district library award and said the school will receive a state seal cling marking the recognition through 2028.",{"_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},6462078,"Board approves waiver applications to certify five special education teachers through alternative program",122,4347000,4469000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d&start=4347&end=4469","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d/thumbnail_4347000.jpg","/articles/6462078/South-Dakota/Board-approves-waiver-applications-to-certify-five-special-education-teachers-through-alternative-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462078-54cef14adad45dd9aea12d292af451fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516016&Signature=MgBPRjZabgUDJqbLEK4H3ZmOy-0lNqozyXS1hVVWoDIZnDy~YKDF34OKaoctP0Xz1-OW1GTy473GfEwPS4c8TWa17SGuivNbtfiJQzSH7iBU5Aat~i3YPd7Bc91Wc-baZdk8aYy5Y9jbpaRX9oiIbICwE0WJh434x0UW6IEtydQ1aUdignTt1pXWuD-oFvzJFAzlokcK4z2No~sNTRkjEN5TmnAzU~om~HSGQZj0nKoe7tWhYLXAJRGvmerBYuage3tPIGTdHzQqSpUozYxtSg1P6xe3V8sdZGa4MvcLwZDGVCtpDQQrPxhYvyLululFvlH2SvPgxkO~sEAbkk8RnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Becky Doorman, a district staff member, requested permission for the district to apply for waivers to administrative rules to allow five staff members who are currently working in non‑teaching roles to become certified special education teachers through the Department of Education’s Special Education Alternative Certification Program.

“...to ask for your permission to apply for waivers to administrative rules so that 5 of our staff members who are currently working as special education teachers can reach their certification under the Department of Ed's Special Education Alternative Certification Program,” Doorman said.

The board opened a public hearing; no members of the public addressed the board on the item during the hearing. After the hearing the board moved to approve the application waivers. The motion passed by voice vote.

Board minutes show the action was limited to approving the application to seek waivers; actual certification and program enrollment are subject to state Department of Education approval and any conditions the state imposes.

The board then recessed before moving to an executive session.","The board approved staff requests to apply for waivers to administrative rules so five staff members working in other district roles can pursue special education certification through the Department of Education’s Special Education Alternative Certification Program.",{"_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},6462083,"Child Nutrition reports rising participation, central kitchen deliveries and concerns about federal verification changes",754,2947000,3701000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d&start=2947&end=3701","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d/thumbnail_2947000.jpg","/articles/6462083/South-Dakota/Child-Nutrition-reports-rising-participation-central-kitchen-deliveries-and-concerns-about-federal-verification-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462083-47ba69024b5e3eb2917270980e177d2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516016&Signature=PzRA376hrBJnJxH23GEqm98H8aawTsO8v3o~UABW5-gAjYAWHVJnSXSAo-h2JSWw~2shhAJSXuD4FPOce3dTChwFcMtrhU2UOe3pSVc5N5JZlKS4Pk8V08fgaTlU7vs81OrgnZ3-H6uVxl0YeMxh5GHTJjHk-Xn3RpH3AlRU~xoATRbm8s16SBI6YnDbSikIt9ERD4yJnG8ueWaekF0nlBUvbFrlnEKyRBoag9fOcSiyOICbnoDNFs0V8rGTGpZ-nOTjqFMu~eIpBN440ItsAqlWSWAI2PGDfHXaXcG~sjttuFeERa4kGxipcsMLe2lCC~HLH78MWQLpuTIUIRZD1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gaye Anderson, director of Child Nutrition for Sioux Falls School District 49‑5, told the board that breakfast and lunch participation are up so far this year and described changes intended to improve meal quality and reduce waste.

Anderson said breakfast participation was up about 3.85% compared with the prior school year, serving roughly 4,700 breakfasts per day at the time of the report, and that lunches were up about 1.8% with approximately 15,237 lunches served daily. She said the district is preparing between 10,000 and 11,000 hot meals a day in central facilities and delivering freshly prepared hot food to partner schools in order to improve temperature and quality for students. “When you're doing between 10 and 11,000 hot meals a day in a central facility, we're able to cook that food later in the morning and shift some of that so we can improve the quality,” Anderson said.

The department has tested a central‑kitchen delivery model at several schools and expanded it so Ben Reifel (Ben Bridal in transcript) and other secondary kitchens prepare hot food for nearby elementary schools; Anderson said the changes have produced warmer food, less waste and more accurate lunch counts. She reported a high average health inspection score last year — “99.99,” she said — and noted the department is working to meet new USDA meal pattern rules that reduce sodium and add limits on added sugars.

Anderson also reviewed free and reduced meal application activity. She said more than 5,200 families had submitted applications online or on paper and that roughly 69 applications were pending. Under the 30‑day reapplication grace period, Anderson said about 1,235 families still had not reapplied as of the report, affecting about 1,800 students; she expected that number to decline before the district’s 30th day (October 3 at the time stated). The district’s free and reduced rate was reported at about 49.7%.

Anderson detailed proposed changes tied to federal legislation that will affect SNAP direct certification and verification requirements for income‑based applications. “We currently only verify 3% of applications,” she said; “if we have to verify 100%, that's a little bit of a daunting thought process.” Anderson and board members discussed the potential need for additional staff or temporary workers to handle verification and noted language barriers and the need to collect pay stubs and other documentation.

Anderson also outlined revisions to the district’s Angel Fund strategy, which pays for meals for families who fall just above income thresholds. She said the district is expanding the income band covered by donors so more students receive free meals as long as funding lasts; the Angel Fund covered 211 students last year and is currently supporting about 336 students in the “Angel Fund free” category. Anderson said the program will be re‑assessed in November or early December to confirm donor funding levels.

A motion to acknowledge the Child Nutrition report passed by voice vote.","Child Nutrition Director Gaye Anderson reported higher breakfast and lunch participation, expansion of centrally prepared hot meals delivered to elementary schools, and flagged potential burdens from upcoming federal verification and SNAP changes affecting free and reduced meal eligibility.",{"_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},6462088,"Education Foundation awards record grants; endowment passes $1 million",601,2092000,2693000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d&start=2092&end=2693","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5812010-d0b174b457ea48847001bfde16540f8d/thumbnail_2092000.jpg","/articles/6462088/South-Dakota/Education-Foundation-awards-record-grants-endowment-passes-1-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6462088-ef9f94ee37f8888d63db35b5e7d11a5f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776516016&Signature=G2aYMNTqKh6WZlfXGpDVbB0dN7PuAkjo4NRTZuBVdtqKIaaAftxGxDZwzpP9ULrppO3QARfMLF4Iu66ifWMNApOXjdecp-DOPIk0PEcT1X5beUgUMHbZozLAsiQDxWZJUzOAhgMXtIR489-ljU3lOfmVJFwScLosbAEUjLaV03BP-UvDSbk0s544zeKz-Hgg~2z5uWTgCBsUkJiov3PQ7GxLPKbDGdC6WVuvOpEAlCawM77qOwzLw-iNMEBhmPCH54K9rQy05APndosP6cy616iqu7-XM1Hc46r7X7GR~LmvSVR2sDTNkyQJEkPVJI0Km5fRSTVe80S-Lk101Az-sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Allison Shruk, Executive Director of the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation, updated the board on grants and programs the nonprofit uses to support district classrooms, staff and students.

Shuk (reported to the board as Allison Shruk) said the foundation focuses on three pillars: curriculum enhancements, talent and recognition, and student success. Under curriculum enhancements the foundation awarded $189,000 in Public School Proud grants in 2025, a record total that the foundation said reflected a $100,000 gift from the Winkler family designated for arts programming. “They made a donation to support arts programming throughout the district and every art teacher who applied received funding,” she said.

The foundation also awarded 67 first‑time teacher grants at $250 each and 150 “Replenish the Room” grants totaling nearly $40,000 to help experienced teachers buy classroom supplies. Grant-funded items included pottery wheels, 3‑D printers, programmable robots, hydroponics kits, social‑emotional learning materials and specialized equipment for students with limited mobility.

On talent and recognition, the foundation provides school treats, awards stipends to teacher‑of‑the‑year finalists and funds staff appreciation in low‑income schools with $5,000 allocations for 14 buildings. The foundation also supports mental‑wellness team activities and partners with schools on cultural events such as the Native American Open House.

On student success, the foundation has raised more than $400,000 to support school social workers and counselors who buy basic needs for students in crisis. The foundation covers dual‑credit costs for students in the teacher pathway program and is sponsoring bus transportation to a national college fair.

Shuk said the foundation’s endowment, managed by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, recently surpassed $1,000,000 after a $190,000 gift. She recognized board liaison Nan (school board representative) and district staff who review grant applications.

Board members thanked foundation staff and encouraged donations; the foundation said it accepts online gifts or checks and can provide a QR code or website information to donors. A motion to acknowledge the Education Foundation report passed by voice vote.","The Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation reported a record $189,000 in Public School Proud grants for 2025 (supported in part by a $100,000 gift from the Winkler family), expanded teacher support programs and an endowment that surpassed $1 million following a $190,000 gift.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District report shows most graduates enroll at South Dakota universities; career-readiness test to be discontinued locally

Terry Redlin librarian describes programs behind district library award

Board approves waiver applications to certify five special education teachers through alternative program

Child Nutrition reports rising participation, central kitchen deliveries and concerns about federal verification changes

Education Foundation awards record grants; endowment passes $1 million