Superintendent Schultz outlines press-box dedication, chronic-absentee efforts, calendar drafts and boundary-analysis tool

Superintendent Dr. Schultz reported multiple operational items to the Brookings School District board, including an upcoming press-box dedication, a student animation project, measures to address chronic absenteeism, calendar-draft work for the next two years and the district's purchase of analytics software to support boundary analysis.

Dr. Schultz said the district will dedicate the Dallas Cole press box during a January basketball doubleheader; the ceremony is planned to take place after the girls' game and before the boys' warmup, at approximately 7:30 p.m., and communications staff will share public details.

She described an instructional partnership in which students at the middle school will work with animator and writer Terry Thorne to create short animated pieces tied to social-emotional learning and writing skills. Schultz said up to 24 students may participate, and the work could culminate in presentations to the board by the end of the school year.

On attendance, Schultz said the district is targeting chronic absenteeism and plans to monitor days missed early in the school year, noting research that shows days missed in September correlate with chronic absence later in the year. She proposed tracking September attendance in the district scorecard so staff can intervene earlier.

The calendar committee has reviewed parent, staff and student survey results and produced two draft calendars for the next two years: a draft with a hard semester-one stop at winter break and a draft with a later August start. Schultz said responses were split; the committee will determine whether to release drafts for wider community feedback or move forward with a recommended calendar for formal approval in February.

Schultz raised concerns about state-level school funding in the context of proposed voucher legislation, saying the current consumer price index (CPI)-based increase is 3 percent while the governor's budget proposed roughly 1.7 percent; she warned that the district would struggle to sustain services without additional revenue if voucher policies reduce funding to public schools.

For boundary analysis, Schultz said the district has purchased Frontline's analytical program to assist with mapping students, transportation and service needs. She asked the board to discuss priorities for boundary-review work at an upcoming work session so staff can proceed efficiently with the new tool.

Dr. Schultz also reminded the board that two seats on the school board will be open in the upcoming election cycle; petitions are available Jan. 31, filings are due Feb. 28 by 5 p.m., and the election is scheduled April 8.

Ending: Board members asked staff to bring calendar options and boundary-priority recommendations to the next work session and to provide additional details if state voucher proposals progress.