Brandon Valley board approves $1.3 million in end‑of‑year invoices; superintendent updates construction and calendar

The Brandon Valley School District 49‑2 Board of Education approved $1.3 million in end‑of‑year invoices and received construction and calendar updates from Superintendent Larson at its most recent meeting.

Board members voted to approve the agenda and then approved bills and claims covering the district's fiscal‑year‑end expenses. The total presented was $1,300,000, including a $44,653 invoice for the second half of the school resource officer payment. Board members were told that roughly $950,000 of the total would repay the food service account for credit‑card sales; about $188,000 covered other year‑end bills. The packet also listed $2,383 in advance payments and $2,858 in pay vouchers submitted after the prior board meeting. A motion to approve the bills and claims passed with all members saying “Aye,” and the chair declared the motion adopted.

Why it matters: approving year‑end invoices closes elements of fiscal 2024 and affects fund balances and cash flow heading into the new school year. The board also set timelines families will need to meet for transportation and budget input.

Superintendent Larson gave the board a construction and operations update. He said Berkman Valley Elementary School construction is continuing and board members interested in a site tour should contact district staff to arrange one. Work at a Sunshine Avenue site and grading at the transportation (bus barn) parking area are underway; staff said pavement is expected once conditions dry out. Larson reported Visions Construction received the contract for a middle‑school addition (identified in the meeting as the Bridal Valley Middle School addition) and that the work will be complex and phased, with impacts to multiple areas including the kitchen. He said construction at the middle school will continue through the next school year and will require ongoing coordination with the contractor.

Larson thanked the Siouxland Library and a partner listed in meeting materials as Peach Ranch Bridal for supporting the summer reading program and credited custodial, buildings and grounds, maintenance departments and contractors for an extensive slate of summer projects: concrete and asphalt repair, flooring replacement in the middle/high school commons, and other building maintenance. He noted that regional road construction in the Sioux Metro area has caused temporary routing and timing impacts for district operations.

On the academic calendar and time‑sensitive items, Larson outlined key dates for the 2025‑26 school year: Aug. 20 is the first day of school for grades 1‑12; junior kindergarten and kindergarten families have visit days on the Wednesday and Thursday before that, with those grades starting on Friday, Aug. 22; early childhood begins Aug. 25. The district’s annual meeting and public budget hearing are scheduled for Monday, July 21, 2025, with possible action on the budget at that meeting. Larson said bus‑pass purchase and ridership notification for the coming year opens July 1 and closes July 25; families who miss the July 25 deadline cannot begin using school buses until Monday, Sept. 29.

Board business was routine: the chair reported no conflicts of interest or community input on the agenda. The board approved general business items numbered 1–4 and personnel items numbered 1–7 by voice votes recorded as “Aye” with the chair stating the motions passed. The meeting adjourned after a brief reference to registration for the upcoming ASBSD conference; staffer Jennifer was listed as the contact for board members who wish to attend.

Ending: The board scheduled its annual reorganization and budget hearing for July 21, 2025, and reiterated the district’s July 25 deadline for bus‑pass purchases and ridership notifications.