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Britton-Hecla board amends student-bullying policy, approves administrator contracts after executive session
Summary
On Feb. 10 the Britton-Hecla School District 45-4 Board amended Policy 5054 to relocate an "Artificial Intelligence" reference from the state definition to the "Bullying Prohibited" section, approved offering contracts to multiple administrators after a personnel executive session, and adopted the 2025-26 calendar.
The Britton-Hecla School District 45-4 Board of Education voted Feb. 10 to amend its student-bullying policy and to offer employment contracts to several district administrators after a closed-session personnel discussion.
President Troy Knecht opened the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. with six board members present. The board approved the meeting agenda and heard public comments on student motivation and the Sora digital reading platform during an open forum that ended at 6:15 p.m.
The board approved routine financial reports and vendor claims presented by Business Manager Madisyn Neiber, including payroll disbursements and expenditures across the General, Capital Outlay, Special Education and Food Service funds. The consent agenda — approved unanimously — included 15 unpaid-leave requests, designation of multiple technology items and one piano as surplus, and acceptance of the resignation of Danelle Elsen as assistant business manager.
On Policy 5054, the Policy Committeesubmitted revision recommendations that the board considered. Board member Grupe moved to accept the committee recommendations. During discussion, Board member Landreth moved, and Board member Zuehlke seconded, an amendment that removed the explicit inclusion of "Artificial Intelligence" from the policy's state-definition language and placed any AI-related reference under the policy's "Bullying Prohibited" provisions. The amendment passed on a recorded vote: Grupe, Hawkinson, Landreth and Zuehlke voted yes; Schuller voted no.
The board also approved Calendar A for the 2025-26 school year by unanimous vote.
Principal reports highlighted school activities and student engagement: a 100th-day celebration in January, a kindergarten field trip, an SDSU Extension program offering grades 3-5 a chance to "adopt a cow," Lisbon Smiles dental education for K-3, kindergarten screening set for March 7, regional recognition for One-Act Play participants, and a 2,500-item food drive.
Superintendent Benson provided a legislative update, reiterated that special-education funds may not be used to purchase a district suburban vehicle, and reported on hoop assemblies in the Amacher and a geothermal leak.
The board moved into executive session at 7:05 p.m. under SDCL 1-25-2(1) for personnel matters and ended the closed session at 8:18 p.m. After returning to open session, Board member Zuehlke moved, seconded by Board member Landreth, to offer contracts to the superintendent, business manager, middle/high-school principal, elementary principal, school counselor, activities director and network administrator; the motion carried with all voting in favor.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for Monday, March 10 at 6:00 p.m. in the Britton-Hecla board room and adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
