Board approves bid award, retirement contribution change, calendar and multiple personnel actions

The Dickinson Public School District No. 1 board took several formal votes at its meeting. Key outcomes included approval of a major construction buy‑out for Dickinson High School, changes to classified employee retirement contributions for employees hired after Jan. 1, 2025, adoption of the 2025–26 school calendar, approval of multiple early‑resignation benefits, recognition of bargaining units, approval of one open‑enrollment application and first reading approval of a policy revision.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda: Approved (voice vote).

- Approval of meeting agenda: Approved (voice vote).

- Dickinson High School bid package 1: Motion to award the construction manager at‑risk recommendation was moved by Mister Seakes and seconded; roll‑call vote recorded (Wilkie: Aye; Rutkowski: Aye; Seegs: Aye; Vice President Parker Schwartz: Aye; chair: Aye). Motion carries. (See separate article for details.)

- Amend district’s contribution to classified employees’ retirement: Motion to revise the district’s contribution to classified employees in the Dakota Public Retirement System employed after 01/01/2025 to 9.26% and to approve the amended 2024–25 classified salaries and benefits package was moved and seconded; vote carried by voice vote. The motion as stated on the record said, “The employee will be responsible for the remaining 0% of the employee's mandatory 4% contribution.” The record contains the motion text as presented by administration.

- 2025–26 school calendar: Motion to approve the 2025–26 Dickinson Public Schools calendar passed. Motion included a start date of 08/20/2025 and the last day of school scheduled for 05/21/2026. Graduation date text in the motion was not fully specified in the transcript.

- Early resignation benefit approvals: The board approved early resignation benefits for the following staff, with effective dates as recorded in the motion: • Jill Nelson Westine, speech language pathologist at Lincoln Elementary — effective 05/23/2025 • Kaylee Conklin, grade 5 instructor at Jefferson Elementary — effective 05/23/2025 • Kristy Morlock, kindergarten instructor at Berg Elementary — effective 05/23/2025 • Ashley Asenio, reading interventionist at Dickinson Middle School — effective 05/23/2025 • Amanda Coombs, school counselor at Dickinson Middle School — effective 05/23/2025 • Darlene Hopper, assistant cook at Prairie Rose Elementary — effective 05/23/2025 • Skylynn Tylan, paraprofessional at Dickinson Middle School — effective 05/23/2025 • Twyla Peterson, administrative assistant at Central Administration Offices and Skollhorn secretary — effective 08/01/2025

- Board determination of appropriate negotiating units (administrators): Motion recognizing administrators licensed by the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction as the appropriate negotiating unit passed (voice vote).

- Board determination of appropriate negotiating units (licensed personnel): Pursuant to North Dakota Century Code section 15‑1‑16.10, motion recognizing licensed personnel (except administrators) as the appropriate negotiating unit passed (voice vote).

- Open enrollment application: Motion approving an open‑enrollment application from a child under guardianship transferring from South Park Public School District to Dickinson Public School District passed (voice vote).

- School board policy revisions (first reading): Motion to approve the revision of policy ACE, Violent and Threatening Behavior, as a first reading passed on roll call (votes recorded: Sinks: Aye; Wojcowski: Aye; Wilkie: Aye; Vice President Shores: Aye; chair: Aye).

Formal motion details and records

All motions appear on the public record in the meeting transcript and were moved, seconded and voted as noted above. Where the transcript recorded a roll call, specific board members' affirmative votes are listed; where the transcript recorded only a voice vote or the generic phrase “motion carries,” the item is reported as carried per the meeting record.

Ending

There were no requests for public participation and the meeting was adjourned.