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Brookings board approves Project SEARCH calendar, handbook and $500 tuition increase
Summary
The Brookings School District approved the Project SEARCH calendar and handbook for 2026-27 and a $500 tuition increase (from $19,000 to $19,500) for sending districts. Staff said Project SEARCH runs through SDSU, serves late-teen students transitioning to work, and often results in job offers after completion.
The Brookings School District 05-1 board voted to approve the Project SEARCH calendar and handbook for the 2026-27 school year and to raise the program's tuition by $500 (from $19,000 to $19,500) for sending districts.
Project SEARCH staff described the program as an extension of special-services transition programming run in partnership with South Dakota State University. "The Project Search is an extension of our special services programs here at Brookings School District," a district staff member explained, adding that students typically are late teens (about 17 to 21) and that many graduates are offered jobs after completion.
Board members asked who pays tuition; staff said the sending district (for example, Sioux Valley) is billed. The board moved and approved the calendar, handbook and tuition rate during the meeting.
Administrators said the program is small but growing; this year the cohort is small and staff hope to double or triple enrollment. The district also discussed marketing and outreach to increase participation.
What happens next: the district will publish the approved calendar and handbook, bill sending districts at the new rate, and pursue outreach to expand enrollment.
