Superintendent outlines construction progress and FY27 budget timeline

Superintendent Larson updated the board on construction and planning timelines at the Brandon Valley School District 49-2 meeting on Nov. 13.

Larson said both the (transcript: Birkman/Berkman) Valley Elementary project and the Brandon Valley Middle School addition continue to progress and that the immediate objective is to enclose the buildings before winter so indoor work can proceed. He noted ongoing road-construction impacts related to district projects and that staff had met with a nearby elementary PTA to discuss a minor boundary change along a river corridor.

Larson reminded families that free and reduced-price meal applications can be submitted at any time if household circumstances change; qualifying families receive meals at no cost. He also announced the South Dakota public report card was released and that the district will present the results at the State of the Schools address on Nov. 24.

On enrollment, Larson said the district is up about 80 students. He reviewed the draft academic calendar and the proposed FY27 budget process: administration will complete five-year plans in December, present planning documents in January, and work through January–March with staff and capital-outlay approvals; a preliminary capital outlay budget is needed in March to begin larger projects, with a public budget hearing expected in July and potential final action following that process.

Larson closed with community event notices (retired-staff luncheon Dec. 4, ASB delegate assembly participation, and American Education Week Nov. 17–20) and invited questions; none were raised at the meeting.

Where transcript spelling or names appeared inconsistent (several school names appear in varying spellings), this article uses the district’s official name for clarity and flags uncertain school-name transcriptions for verification.