Brookings School Board approves sponsorship deal, opposes voucher proposal; counseling MOU tabled

The Brookings School District 05-1 Board of Education on Tuesday approved a naming and marketing agreement for the district's esports program, passed a resolution opposing proposed school voucher legislation, and tabled a proposed memorandum of understanding with a counseling provider pending legal review and additional information.

The actions came during a regularly scheduled board meeting that also approved routine consent items and donations. Board member Stacy presided over roll-call votes and announced that motions had passed on several items.

The board voted to approve a Swiftel naming and marketing advertising agreement tied to the high school's esports program. Board members discussed signage size briefly; Superintendent Dr. Schultz told members the signage dimensions appeared reasonable. The board also approved standard items including donated goods to multiple elementary schools and an existing negotiations protocol used for district labor talks.

In a separate vote, the board adopted a resolution in opposition to the proposed school voucher program. The resolution, prepared by the Associated School Boards, expresses the district's formal position against using public funds for private-school voucher accounts. Board members discussed concerns about school finance and state funding levels during the superintendent report that preceded the vote.

Board members tabled a memorandum of understanding between Rising Hope Counseling and Camelot Intermediate School after questions about whether legal had reviewed the document and requests for more information about which providers currently serve district facilities. Superintendent Dr. Schultz said the provider already had been using district space on occasion; board members asked staff to provide counts of outside providers who work in district buildings and to route the MOU to the district attorney for review before taking final action.

The board also moved into two executive sessions during the meeting under South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 1-25-2; the first ended with no action, and the second began later in the evening (the board announced that it would reconvene after the session if there were any actions).

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda: passed (motion to approve; presiding board member: Stacy). - Approve donated items (multiple school donations): passed (motion moved; presiding board member: Stacy). - Approve negotiations protocol: passed (motion moved; presiding board member: Stacy). - Approve Swiftel naming and marketing advertising agreement (esports sponsorship): passed (motion moved; presiding board member: Stacy). Board member requested a future informational presentation about the esports program. - Approve resolution in opposition to the proposed school voucher program (ASBSD template): passed (motion moved; presiding board member: Stacy). - Approve memorandum of understanding between Rising Hope Counseling and Camelot Intermediate School: tabled (motion to table; seconded; presiding board member: Stacy). Board requested legal review and additional details about existing providers using district facilities. - Move into executive session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(4): approved (motioned and seconded; board announced no action after the session). - Move into executive session pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(1) and (4): approved (motioned and seconded; board entered second executive session).

Board members did not record detailed roll-call tallies in the public transcript beyond announcing that motions passed or were tabled. The board indicated that additional information on the tabled MOU and the esports program would be provided at an upcoming work session or special meeting.

Ending: The board scheduled follow-up coverage on the tabled MOU and said staff would bring supplemental materials and legal review to the next available meeting.