Board approves special education plan and first readings of multiple policy changes tied to new state laws

At its June 8 meeting the Aberdeen School Board approved the district's special education comprehensive plan and approved first readings on a set of policies updated to comply with bills passed by the South Dakota Legislature.

Mrs. Olsen presented the special education comprehensive plan — described as the district’s implementation of state special-education statutes — and answered questions about services to private schools, staffing challenges and the paperwork required for individualized education plans. On a motion moved by Ran Olsen and seconded by Brian Sharp, the board approved the plan by voice vote.

Administrators then presented a bundle of policy updates to align district policy with recent state laws. Highlights included policy BBB (school election timing and the requirement to set election dates by December, reflecting House Bill 1130), policy BB (clarifying permissible executive-session purposes under Senate Bill 47), and policy BEG (meeting minutes updates tied to election reporting). The board also gave first readings or approvals to finance and instructional policies (DIIB/FD for types of funds and capital outlay; IGA on required instructional topics, including new prenatal/human growth instruction from House Bill 1313), assignment-to-alternate-setting authority under House Bill 1017 (IGBI), medication policy changes permitting specified student self-administration of diabetes medication and allowing nasal epinephrine (House Bill 1143 and Senate Bill 8), and a clarification that coaches are mandatory reporters (House Bill 1187).

Most items were approved by voice vote on first reading with motions and seconders recorded in the minutes; the board recorded no roll-call tallies in the transcript. Board members commended administration for monitoring legislation and preparing policy language to meet the July 1 implementation timeline for several items.