Brandon Valley School District introduced the Impact Project, a new senior capstone starting with the class of 2027 that offers three pathways—Lead (entrepreneurship), Learn (senior experience) and Serve (service learning)—intended to expand internship and apprenticeship opportunities and align with upcoming state capstone requirements.
A district data report showed Brandon Valley’s per-student spending at $9,982 and described opt-outs, federal revenue differences and a $1.4 million capital outlay transfer as key drivers of spending comparisons across South Dakota.
The Brandon Valley School District board approved the meeting agenda, routine business items 1–3, and personnel items 1–8 by voice votes and then adjourned; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.
Board reviewers heard a December cash report showing just over $28 million on hand, updates that elementary and middle school construction are on schedule for 2026, and approved routine minutes, bills, financial reports and personnel items by voice vote.
Superintendent Larson presented a proposed 2026–27 academic calendar that sets a later, consistent start date of Aug. 26, 2026, outlines staff in-service days and holidays, and will be returned for adoption at the board's second January meeting.
Superintendent Larson told the board that two construction projects are nearing enclosure by late December/January, the district will solicit furniture bids for the new school, third-graders may opt to remain at their current school through Jan. 31, and a recent special-education exit review praised district services.
The Brandon Valley School District board approved bills and claims totaling about $5.2 million and the November financial report, received updates on construction payments and upcoming furniture bidding, and approved routine consent and personnel items by voice vote.
The board approved the agenda, several consent items and personnel items; board members reported on ASBSD meetings and urged advocacy amid draft bills favoring private-school funding, potential tax credits and special-education funding concerns.
A board member reported from the ASBSD delegate assembly and urged advocacy, saying several draft bills could divert funding from public education to private schools and describing a proposed tax-credit program that might let taxpayers direct up to $1,700 to education via scholarship-like mechanisms.
The Brandon Valley School District board unanimously approved the agenda, consent agenda items 2, personnel items 10 and adjourned after routine reports. No contested votes or public comments were recorded.
