Brandon Valley School District board approves monthly bills, accepts financial report and authorizes findings in employee complaint

The Brandon Valley School District 49-2 Board of Education on an evening meeting approved the district's monthly bills and claims, accepted the January financial report and authorized the board chair to sign findings of fact, conclusions of law and a decision in a complaint against a school employee.

Board members voted to approve bills and claims that included payment No. 5 of $1,145,000 to Pesca Construction, bringing total paid to Pesca to $4,200,000 of a $23,000,000 contract. The board approved total bills and claims of $1,811,773 and advanced payments of $7,540.06; pay vouchers presented amounted to $95,000. Food service bills of $189,170 were reported as part of the packet.

The financial report for January showed receipts of $3,261,000 and expenses of $5,747,000, leaving $33,279,000 on hand at month end. The report listed roughly $7,800,000 in the general fund and about $21,800,000 in the project fund. Payroll for the month was approximately $2,700,000, modestly below a typical $2,900,000 because of the holiday schedule.

Superintendent Larson said the district's state aid will reflect an increase in enrollment of about 55 students above projections, which the administration estimates will add roughly $400,000 to state aid. On early childhood enrollment, Larson said, “Kindergarten enrollment is the straw that stirs the drink,” and the district is monitoring preregistration and screening counts closely.

Administrators reported progress on facility projects: gymnasium roofing membrane work is complete and work continues at a transportation facility. The administration said a new elementary facility remains on schedule to open in fall 2026. The board discussed expected traffic impacts from road construction in the district's southeast corner and said it may adjust routing to move affected families north.

The board also reviewed the legislative session and public outreach: Superintendent Larson noted the board is monitoring bills, directed patrons to Associated School Boards of South Dakota and the Legislative Research Council for bill tracking, and mentioned that Brandon Day at the legislature was scheduled for Feb. 26 with about 30 students attending.

After an executive session held under South Dakota Codified Law §1-25-2.3 for potential action, the board returned and approved a motion to authorize the board chair to sign the findings of fact, conclusions of law and decision related to a complaint against a school employee and to give notice to the parties. The roll-call vote recorded Saxton: Yes; Scott: Yes; Bell: Yes; Tom: Yes; motion passed.

Routine business actions approved by voice vote included adopting the agenda, approving minutes from Jan. 7, Jan. 13 and Jan. 27, approving general business items 1–3 and personnel items 1–16. Items 17 and 18 were presented for review only. The meeting adjourned after those votes.

The administration reminded the board of upcoming negotiation dates beginning March 26, with a possible contract ratification on April 14, and noted parent-teacher conferences scheduled March 10–11 and school closures March 13–14.