The Belle Fourche School Board held its monthly meeting on Monday, May 5. Hollie Stalder, Director of Economic Development, gave an Economic Development Update presentation. Tyndall and Justice gave Budget Committee and Salary Committee reports, respectively.
Mathew Raba, High School Principal reminded everyone that the commencement ceremony for Belle Fourche High School will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. at Lou Graslie Field. If the weather does not cooperate, the graduation will be held in the High School gym. Senior Awards Night will be held at the High School gym on May 15 at 7 p.m. The credit recovery summer school program will be held in the CTE building and will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following dates: May 27-29, June 2-5, June 9-12, and June 16-19, for a total of 15 days.
Raba will attend the State Principal’s Conference in Deadwood on June 9-11, as well as the Wild Wild West Leadership Conference in Deadwood from June 11-13. Compass Learning is partnering with Lake Area Tech this summer to host STEM, Robotics, and Drone camps for West River students; one of these camps will be held at Belle Fourche High School on June 13 in the CTE building.
Kevin Smidt, Middle School Principal reported that the Middle School just finished up their last Smarter Balance make-up test and are now in the process of administering Spring MAP tests at each grade level. The seventh and eighth grade girls are scheduled to attend Women in Science at BHSU on May 14. Eighth graders will attend the Meet the Coaches event on May 19. On May 20, the fifth and sixth graders will run their annual track and field day; and on May 21, the sixth graders will visit Devil’s Tower. May 22 brings Putt-Putt Golf in Rapid City for the sixth graders, and a Story Book Walk with a lunch at Herman Park after for the fifth graders. Eighth grade teachers will also be presenting awards in the gym from 8 to 10:15 a.m., after which they will go to Spearfish to hike the ’76 Trail and have a picnic.
Julie Hatling, Elementary Principal noted upcoming events including May 22 being the last full day with students; June 2 being the first day of summer TRAK; and the Principals’ Conference and Wild Wild West Leadership Conferences in Deadwood. The supplemental reading program, Lexia, continues to show increased skill acquisition among K-4th graders. The PTO hosted its annual Carnival and Business Fair, with over 20 businesses signed up for booths, on May 2.
Caleb Case, Special Education Director reported that staffing arrangements are mostly finalized for the special education summer program. Teachers and therapists are in the process of gathering year-end data. Case participated in the annual SD Extraordinary Cost Fund Oversight Meeting on May 7.
Adam Nowowiejski with the Activities Department reported that the student athletes participating in track and golf are performing well. The track team had 18 athletes travel to Sioux Falls to compete in the 85th Annual Howard Wood Relays. Nowowiejski gave recommendations for new members of the Board of Directors at the SDHSAA and Constitutional Amendments. Coaching positions in need of filling are seventh and eighth grade volleyball; knowledge bowl advisor; assistant competitive cheer; and assistant high school track. May 29-31 will be State Track in Sioux Falls and June 1-3 will be State Golf at Madison Country Club in Madison.
Facilities and Transportation Director Tommy Coyle reported that two trees were planted at the Middle School for Arbor Day, which was done with the fifth grade to go along with their Arbor Day essay contest. No bids were received to replace the roof on the south section of South Park. Track meets have been keeping the transportation department busy, and field trips will be steady through the end of the school year.
Superintendent Orion Thompson reported that BFEA negotiations have concluded and he feels they were successful on both ends, with the same going for BFAT negotiations. There was a special state DOE Zoom meeting dealing with Title VI and the federal mandate. A CO-OP master planning meeting was held, and they are preparing to send out the community survey. Thompson has met with different staff and their building administrators about budgetary reductions.
April’s Students of the Month were honored. 5th Grade: Kayanna Jeffery and Kohlten Wood; 6th Grade: Adalyn Savery and Jessiah Jones; 7th Grade: Elise Roberts, Jaden Bear, and Jared Homola; and 8th Grade: Rhyan Knapp and Rose LaFayette.
The next School Board Meeting will be June 2 at 5:15 p.m.
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