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Pipestone board certifies levy to the maximum, approves routine budgets and policies
Summary
At its September meeting the Pipestone Area School District board certified its 2024 levy at the maximum, set a Truth in Taxation hearing for Dec. 16, approved treasurer and bond reports, accepted donations, and adopted several policies including graduation requirements.
The Pipestone Area School District board voted to certify its 2024 proposed levy at the maximum and set a Truth in Taxation hearing for Dec. 16, 2024, at 7 p.m. during its regular September meeting. Superintendent Clint walked trustees through levy worksheets and state aid mechanics before the motion to set the date and certify the levy passed.
Treasurer Jackie reported the district’s cash position and led the board through routine financial actions. "We currently have $9,600,000 in cash," Jackie said during the treasurer’s report; the board approved the report and a separate bond-account report showing $2,800,000 designated for the district’s bond-funded projects. The board also approved regular bills, activity bills and the remaining 2023A bond bills after discussion about one outstanding vendor invoice.
The board accepted several donations: Pipestone Publishing Company donated $1,425 to the Athletic Help Fund; the Aero Booster Club donated $9,196.18 for athletic equipment and related programs; and a Pipestone donor gave $4,000 to address overdue lunch balances. Board members discussed how to allocate the $4,000 to longstanding lunch-balance accounts and said administrators would determine the distribution.
On policy matters, trustees adopted final reading of policy 613, which lays out graduation-credit requirements (4 credits in language arts; 3 in mathematics; 3 in science; 3.5 in social studies; 1 in art; 1 in physical education; and 7 elective credits). The superintendent noted forthcoming statutory changes to government/citizenship requirements in 2025–26 that the district will incorporate when those state actions are finalized. The board also approved second readings of policies covering student discipline and suspension (403), student dress and appearance (504), grievance procedures (522), library materials (606.5) and district accountability (616).
Other board actions included declaring specified desks and chairs obsolete with a plan to budget for replacements in next year’s capital projects, and approving an overnight student trip for four livestock-judging students to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis; the board authorized district payment for substitutes and transportation while outside groups will cover most student expenses.
The board approved each motion by voice vote and the chair declared the motions passed. The district set the Truth in Taxation hearing to allow the public to comment on the levy certification and tax impacts on Dec. 16, 2024.
What’s next: The district will post details for the Dec. 16 Truth in Taxation hearing and administrators said they will report back on how the $4,000 donation for overdue lunch balances will be allocated.
