Vermillion SD reports enrollment dip and approves minor clarification to school meal policy
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Summary
District administrators reported a fall enrollment of 1,305.81 students, down roughly 80 over two years, and described attendance interventions. The board approved a clarification to policy 3012 on meal charges and later entered executive session for a personnel matter.
The Vermillion School District 13-1 board was told on Nov. 10 that the district's final fall enrollment count, taken on the state snapshot date, is 1,305.81 students.
"This year, our fall enrollment count was, 1,305.81," Doctor Elvey told the board, adding that the decimal reflects part-time students ("The 0.81 are part time kids"). Administrators reported the district has lost about 80 students over two years—about 35 to 40 this year and roughly 40 last year—which officials said will figure into spring budget discussions.
Elvey also outlined attendance concerns and local interventions. He said elementary parent-teacher conference attendance was about 86%, while middle-school sixth grade attendance was about 65%, seventh grade about 62% and eighth grade about 39%. He reported students with 11 or more missed days: about 10 at the elementary level, 18 at the middle school and 46 at the high school, and described efforts to address barriers such as providing free bus passes through an "angel fund," donor assistance for basic needs, messaging campaigns and an upcoming commercial produced in partnership with USD to promote attendance.
On policy, the board reviewed recommended edits to policy 3012, "School Meal Program and Meal Charges." The policy committee said a duplicated reference to "courtesy meals" created a sequencing confusion; the committee recommended striking the duplicate passage and combining points so the order reflects how charges and courtesy meals are applied. Members said the change was clarifying and not a substantive change to implementation.
The board moved to approve the clarified policy language (first by Ryan; second by Carol) and approved it by voice vote.
Financial staff noted October was a low-balance month but within acceptable levels; Clay County tax receipts are expected to boost fund balances later in November, officials said.
The board then moved into executive session under South Dakota codified law 1-25-1 for a personnel matter (motion first by Jacob, second by Mark) and entered executive session at 7:29 p.m.
Next steps: district finance and personnel teams will incorporate the enrollment changes into the budget process and continue attendance intervention efforts; administrators will finalize policy 3012 language with the policy committee.