The most pressing topic at the meeting was the board’s decision to move forward with Krauss Anderson for construction management services. The selection process, which began with eight candidates, was noted for its rigor and thoroughness. Comments during the meeting highlighted the quality of presentations from all candidates.

Financial discussions also played a role in the meeting, with the board reviewing the school district’s budget as of October 31st. The general fund was highlighted, showing an approved budget from June with $12.2 million in revenue against $12.4 million in expenditures, projecting a decrease in fund balance. As of the end of October, revenue collected was $1.9 million, representing 15.9% of the budget, while expenditures totaled $3.1 million, accounting for 24.9% of the budget. A notable point of discussion was an anomaly in the 2023 figures, attributed to the booking practices of Freshwater, a group involved in previous financial activities. The board acknowledged the potential need for budget revisions due to student enrollment figures not meeting earlier expectations.

Additional financial matters included the approval of payment claims totaling $1,154,370.40, which covered various operations, including transportation and maintenance. A significant payment of $9,991 was made to the diamond doctor for the upkeep of softball and baseball fields. The board also discussed the necessity of evaluating transportation costs, as a district van had begun transporting students, and addressed overages in printing costs, particularly for color copies.

The meeting also featured a discussion on donations from various organizations, totaling significant amounts. Contributions included $1,200 from Starbank for staff shirts and $10,000 from Western Prairie Human Services for mental health services. Other donations supported robotics, fine arts, and sports initiatives. The board adopted a resolution approving these contributions, recognizing their importance in supporting district programs and activities.

The superintendent’s report touched upon professional development initiatives, with a focus on elementary reading curriculum and secondary school Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) studying “The Anxious Generation” to address cell phone policies and student socialization. Attendance was highlighted as a critical concern, prompting discussions on potential collaboration with a social worker to improve student attendance, utilizing state funding for such initiatives.

In addition, the board addressed a master agreement with WHDSH for building planning and an adequacy study. This agreement aims to provide flexibility in the district’s planning efforts.

The meeting also included the presentation of the compulsory education report, identifying approximately 60 homeschooled students within the district. The board discussed outreach efforts to engage these families and encourage participation in school programs, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing barriers to education.

Community education programs were also a topic of discussion, with an annual report submitted to the state. The board acknowledged challenges in extended day tutoring participation and transportation barriers.