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Board approves 2025–26 preliminary budget and multiple routine items; transportation contract, SDHSAA amendments pass
Summary
At its May 12 meeting the Aberdeen School District board approved the district’s 2025–26 preliminary budget, a transportation contract rate increase, five South Dakota High School Activities Association amendments and several routine items by voice vote.
The Aberdeen School District board voted on multiple routine and fiscal items during its May 12 meeting, approving the district’s 2025–26 preliminary budget, a transportation contract rate increase for 2025–26, five South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA) amendments, and several other routine motions.
Preliminary budget The board approved the 2025–26 preliminary budget after a staff presentation. The budget projection showed an estimated general-fund deficit of about $806,000 for the next fiscal year (including a $200,000 contingency) and proposed increasing the transfer from the capital outlay fund to the general fund from $800,000 this year to $1,000,000 next year. The presenter noted an estimated 405-student decrease affecting funding-formula revenue and outlined staffing changes including a net 7 FTE decrease in teaching staff, a 1 FTE EA decrease, and additions for special education (1 teacher, 2 EAs, 1 counselor) in other funds. The board approved the preliminary budget by voice vote.
Transportation contract The board approved the 2025–26 transportation contract with an annual rate increase ranging from 2.1% to 2.5%. The contract presenter cited a 12% insurance increase for the vendor, a 35% increase in the cost of new buses over three years, rising parts costs, and higher driver wages as reasons for the rate rise. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the board approved the contract by voice vote.
SDHSAA amendments The board approved five SDHSAA-recommended amendments addressing schedule language for trimester/semester schools, middle-school-to-high-school participation timelines, clarification for bona-fide out-of-district moves, sit-out period language for districts with differing school calendars, and a requirement that sending schools notify receiving schools of pending suspensions for transferring students. Each amendment was moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote.
Other routine actions The board approved the meeting agenda, April minutes and the consent agenda by voice votes earlier in the meeting. The board also endorsed recommended candidates to serve in various SDHSAA representative roles.
Votes and motions (summary) - Approval of meeting agenda: voice vote, outcome: approved. - Approval of April minutes: motion by Murphy, second by Olson, outcome: approved. - Consent agenda: moved by Olson, seconded, outcome: approved. - Transportation contract (2025–26): motion to approve (mover not specified in transcript), second by Alm, outcome: approved. - Preliminary 2025–26 budget: motion (mover not specified), second by Olson, outcome: approved. - SDHSAA amendments 1–5: each moved and seconded on the record; outcomes: approved (voice votes). - SDHSAA representative recommendations (various divisions): motions and seconds on the record; outcomes: approved.
Where the transcript recorded only voice approval, no roll-call tallies were provided.
