Parent urges district and Rosebud Sioux Tribe to resolve delays so students can use new Rosebud Elementary

Albert Trimini Morrises, a parent and tribal member, told the Todd County School District 66-1 board during public comment that he has volunteered regularly at Rosebud Elementary and is anxious for students to move into the new building as soon as it is safe and ready.

"Whatever needs to be done to get kids in that building… that building's way better than what we have right now," Morrises said, adding he had heard "rumors" that students might not occupy the new school until next school year and that those reports worried him.

Morrises said he understood the building was not finished and acknowledged there were remaining tasks before students could move in, including internet access. He said he had discussed the timeline with district and tribal officials and asked the board to cooperate with tribal leaders to avoid further delays.

A board member responding at the meeting said the district has scheduled a public meeting with the Rosebud Sioux Tribe on the fifth at 5:30 p.m. and invited tribal leaders and the public to attend. "We are inviting the president and vice president of the tribe to come and meet with us and they can bring whoever they want," the board member said, adding that district meetings are public and anyone may attend.

Morrises said he wants the district and the tribe to "be on the same page," and that resolving the dispute over the building's readiness was more important than determining fault. He said the new facility would be preferable to the current Rosebud Elementary once students are able to occupy it.

The board did not take any formal action during the public-comment item. The board member who described the upcoming meeting asked that members of the public attend if they wish to hear the discussion with tribal leaders.