South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
Administrators reported the district’s English Learner population is about 3.7% (~80 students, down from 98), explained the identification and exit rules (ACCESS and state summative criteria), and noted turnover and building-level EL progress that feed into the School Performance Index.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
The board recognized three students—Dawson Balman, Oliver Smith (to be recognized in February) and Jackson Bender—for earning perfect scores on the 2025 South Dakota math and science assessments and presented certificates of recognition.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
The district’s business manager told the board the five-year plan shows a potential $1,000,000 shortfall under conservative enrollment projections and urged budget recalibrations; housing-development forecasts could change the outlook if building resumes.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
High school vocal, marching band and middle school music directors told the board that participation is up, students earned regional awards, and many students were selected for regional/national honor choirs.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
Board members agreed to form ad hoc fine-arts and activities/athletics committees to improve communication around PAC use and events; volunteers were identified and staff cautioned to preserve administrative chains for grievances.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
Board approved the consent agenda, accepted a list of surplus construction items for disposal, approved a resignation and three new hires, and added Cadence Sulik to the early-graduation list after administrators confirmed requirements were met.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
Administrators reported notable gains in science and third-grade proficiency, described curriculum review timelines including a planned math adoption for 2027, and said the South Dakota Department of Education will have juniors take the ACT (the state will roster and pay for testing).
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
The board authorized staff to proceed with refunding options combining capital outlay certificates and certain bonds; staff said the two proposals together would net about $662,248 in savings after fees and would allow levy reductions.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
Board authorized purchase of about 21.5 acres for $1,073,000 and granted authority to write closing checks up to $250,000 after due diligence found no environmental constraints; utilities and a minor plat were reviewed as part of the recommendation for a middle-school site.
South Dakota / School Districts / Tea Area School District 41-5
The Tea Area School Board voted to purchase roughly 21.5 acres for a future middle school, approving a roughly $1.07 million price and authorizing staff to pay closing costs up to $250,000.