by Garrick Moritz, Gazette
The Garretson School Board met on April 12, 2021. Major topics of the meeting were recognition of Kayli Coburn as Teacher of the Year and renewal of the staff contracts for the coming year.
As the meeting got started with the regular business of approving payment of the school’s outstanding bills, Superintendent Guy Johnson commented that this was the largest utilities bill that the school had ever paid, referencing the price hike in February caused by snowstorms, failure of infrastructure down south, and the market speculation that resulted.
After the bills were paid and the financial statements read and approved there was no old business, so the board went directly to the recognition of Kayli Coburn as Teacher of the Year.
Supt. Johnson was glowing with his praise. Coburn began as a second-grade teacher at the Garretson School District, but then shifted her role when a middle school/high school Special Education role opened up. Supt. Johnson said that traditionally the Special Education role is a difficult job to fill and to fulfill, but that Coburn specifically wanted to tackle it, calling it her ‘dream job.’ Her reputation as a teacher and student advocate for our special needs students was simply excellent and he felt the Teacher of the Year honorific was well-deserved.
Next, the board talked about the staff insurance pool. There will be no cost increases this year, and generally the administration is happy with the coverage and cost.
Next the board passed an exception to the school’s policy of community use of the school’s facilities to allow Orthopedic Institute to offer summer workout programs at cost.
Then, the board voted to cast their vote to elect Mr. Tom Farrell of the Madison School District to a position on the Associated School Boards of South Dakota Board of Directors.
The board then approved next year’s school calendar with only minor changes.
The board had first readings to update the elementary and MS/HS handbooks, iPad Handbook, and child abuse reporting policies. The child abuse policies were the most interesting, as old rules required administration approval before abuse was reported to authorities, but that has not been the practice for years. The change will bring the policy in line with law and practice. They approved all the policy changes up for second reading.
Supt. Johnson then gave his report to the board. Springs sports are well started, but many golf tournaments and track meets had been canceled because of rain and cold conditions.
March and April have been a busy time for staff and students. He also reminded everyone about the upcoming Opt-Out Election on May 11, 2021. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the American Legion Post 23, at 504 N. Main Ave., Garretson, SD 57030.
The only news from the Prairie Lakes Coop is that there is some difficulty regarding stipends paid to school counselors and psychologists during the pandemic. Some schools paid this stipend directly when staff was on furlough and others did not. This will cause some headaches among the government bureaucracies and the co-op.
The board then entered executive session to discuss personnel, contract negotiations and staff negations at 6:34 p.m. They exited executive session at 9:42. The board voted to renew contracts for all certified staff and then adjourned.
