Todd County board recognizes student Beckett Walkling; reviews literacy grant, building plans and policy updates
Summary
The board publicly recognized student Beckett Walkling for a perfect score on the 2025 South Dakota math assessment, heard updates on attendance, the literacy grant and building planning, and approved policy changes tied to criminal background checks and ESSER procurement compliance.
The Todd County School Board publicly recognized student Beckett Walkling for earning a perfect score on the 2025 South Dakota math assessment and heard staff updates on attendance, a literacy grant and building planning at its Jan. 12 meeting.
Unidentified Speaker announced the board's recognition of Beckett Walkling "for his outstanding performance on the scribe 20 25 South Dakota math assessment by earning a perfect score," and invited the student's family forward for a certificate and photographs.
Roberta reported the semester had just ended and today was the first day of the second semester. She said she distributed a comparison of two quarters of attendance data and that the calendar committee will meet Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. to review survey results; she said about 110 responses were returned from staff. Roberta also said the district's literacy team — "there's 7 of us, I believe" — will present next meeting on the grant work and related budgets for the coming year.
On facilities, board members and staff met recently with architect Mike Gaine regarding high school building work. The architect needs more time to prepare a proposal, and the board was told he may attend the next meeting to clarify the project's scope.
On policy, the board considered recommended additions to school board policy to incorporate new regulations for criminal background checks and to clarify procurement bid thresholds. Roberta said the changes tie back to ESSER funding rules and a recent audit that produced a single finding related to the absence of corresponding board policy. Mark moved to adopt the policy additions; Chris seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
The meeting record does not include dollar amounts or specific procurement thresholds beyond those discussed in general terms; Roberta noted the district had previously followed federal rules but lacked a written board policy for the requirement cited in the audit.
