Todd County School District 66-1 board approves staff contracts, policy changes and $1,000 student travel stipends

The Todd County School District 66-1 Board of Education approved a bundle of personnel contracts, policy updates and student travel funding during its April 14, 2025 regular meeting.

The actions passed by the board included offering certified contracts for the 2025–26 school year, approving a $900 retention bonus for returning certified staff, updating several personnel- and background-check policies, approving negotiated adjustments for education support personnel for 2025–26, and authorizing travel funding of $1,000 per student for high school students attending college programs. All motions recorded unanimous votes of 4–0.

The board began the meeting with recognition of student participants in the district science fair. Heidi Doyle, the district science fair coordinator, said the district sent 22 students to the regional fair representing three schools and “out of the 22 that went, 7 came home with medals. So it's really awesome showing. It's the best in the West.” Several students later addressed the board asking for help with travel costs for summer college programs. Student Darren Espinosa said, “I am going to 2 different college trips this summer,” and described fundraising he has done to cover some expenses. Lizzie Debre said she had been accepted to a Yale University college writing program and that she had received $600 in financial aid but still needed additional funds.

Superintendent Roberta briefed the board on two items she asked members to review before the meeting: updated supplemental evaluations and a housing inspection checklist. “I gave you the new supplemental evaluations that you'll vote on later down on the agenda,” Roberta said, and noted the housing inspection checklist the district plans to resume using within the next month.

Votes at a glance (motions, movers/seconds as recorded, outcomes):

- Adopt agenda for 04/14/2025 regular meeting — mover: not specified; second: not specified; outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Consent agenda (7.1) — mover: Amanda (board member), second: not specified; outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Policy updates GCOAA and GCOAA-e (7.2) — mover: Deb (board member); second: not specified; outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Approve funding request for TC High School students (7.3) — mover: Deb (board member); second: Michelle (board member); motion set amount at $1,000 per student; outcome: approved, vote 4–0. The board did not specify the total number of students covered in the motion.

- Approve 2025–26 Education Support Personnel negotiated agreement (7.4) — mover: not specified; second: Amanda (board member); outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Approve changes to supplemental contract evaluations (7.5) — mover: Deb (board member); second: Amanda (board member); outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Approve changes to background check policy (GCDB, GDDB) (7.6) — mover: Deb (board member); second: Amanda (board member); outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Offer certified contracts for the 2025–26 school year (8.1) — mover: Michelle (board member); second: Amanda (board member); outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Resolution to authorize payment of a $900 retention bonus per returning certified contract for the 2025–26 school year (8.2) — mover: Deb (board member); second: Amanda (board member); outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

- Offer certified supplemental contracts for the 2025–26 school year (8.3) — mover: Deb (board member); second: not specified; outcome: approved, vote 4–0.

Discussion versus formal action: most items were moved and approved with little debate. The funding for student travel (7.3) followed the students’ public remarks earlier in the meeting; the motion specified $1,000 per student but did not identify how many students that allocation would cover. Superintendent Roberta presented the supplemental evaluation documents and the housing inspection checklist as background materials for later votes and implementation.

The meeting concluded without an executive session and the board adjourned at 5:45 p.m.