Flandreau School Board approves capital budget

Flandreau Public School will spend $1.48 million next year for capital expenses that include technology, maintenance equipment, transportation and uniforms for some of the district’s sports teams.

School board members unanimously approved the expenses at the June 11 meeting. Superintendent Rick Weber asked for approval so the district could start ordering purchases so they would arrive in time for the start of school.

The board also set the 2018-19 general fund budget hearing for 6 p.m. July 9. That budget is projected to be $5.13 million.

The largest expense in the capital outlay budget is $396,500 for debt services. In addition, the district will transfer $275,000 from the capital budget to the general budget.

The district will spend $108,100 for elementary purchases including textbooks, technology, a laminator, five desks, 16 chairs, four tables and two document cameras, among other purchases. The middle school will get textbooks, technology, desks and whiteboards for $88,800.

At the high school level, purchases include textbooks, technology, a portable sound system, band instruments, a kiln, furniture and more for $243,400. The library will get $14,600 in new books, tables and chairs, along with an Ipad, while building maintenance is budgeted at $91,600, which includes flooring and carpet as two of the larger expenses.

Activity budgets, which are $25,500 for boys’ activities and $10,500 for girls, include a football end zone camera, football uniforms and helmets, a wrestling practice mat, junior high girls’ basketball uniforms, girls’ basketball warmups and volleyball standards and uniforms. Co-curricular activities will get $10,900 for cheerleading mats, golf equipment and pullovers and weight room equipment.

“Nothing has really changed since the last time we looked at it,” Weber said.

Board member Brian “Pedro” Johnson asked if the district needed the end zone camera, listed at costing $2,000.

Weber said the camera provides a different angle than a side view of the game, and many schools Flandreau played last year used that type of camera. “That’s becoming the thing now,” he said.

In other business,

• The board voted to update the school events sign in the Maynard’s parking lot after it stopped working.

The district had the sign fixed six months ago, but it stopped working again a few months ago. The problem is a lack of connection between a laptop at computer at a local law office that has the software connecting by radio waves to the sign, Weber said.

The board approved the recommendation from Daktronics to upgrade to a 4G network through a wireless carrier with Daktronics proving the modem hardware and a day of installation. The district will go with Verizon with a data package for a cost of $80 a month in addition to the $50 a month it spends on electricity.

Several board members spoke in favor of fixing the sign and unanimously approved it. They also suggested painting the sign to improve its appearance.

The booster club bought the sign seven years ago but a year ago gave it to the district, Weber said.

• The board tabled the purchase of nearly $6,000 in audio, video and production equipment that would be needed if the district joins the LiveTicket.tv to broadcast games. The network has no annual fees and would be used in place of other webcasting options such as The Cube, which has changed to a different provider.

Advertising would be sold by the Winner-based company, with 50 percent going back to the school district, to offset the cost of the equipment and generate revenue over time, said Weber, who is familiar with the webcasts because they are used by his son’s school district in Colome.

“It’s kind of a neat deal,” he said.

• The board approved the first reading of a seclusion and restraint policy, which districts now are required to have. The policy says the district will notify parents if it is required to use seclusion or restraint with a student, prone restraints will not be used except if necessary and to a moderate degree, and no student will be placed in involuntary confinement in a locked room alone unless there is a clear and present danger.

After a third reading, it will become policy.

• Weber said the recent surplus auction brought in about $4,000 for the district.
• The district had two businesses interested in providing food services next year, Lunchtime Solutions, which is the current provider; and Thrive, which previously was called CBM or Catering by Marlins. Board members Tricia LeBrun and Keri Burggraff will go through the two proposals so that the board can vote on who it will choose.
• The district received $298,000 extra from the state for its special education budget, said Lisa Sanderson, business manager.
• Board members voted to approve the service contract with RSArchitects to repair the exterior insulation finish at the elementary penthouse and other areas of the roof. Payment will not exceed $17,500 under the agreement.
• The board approved the resignation of Brittany Ho as an elementary paraprofessional and approved the hiring of Brittany Hutt for second grade and junior high volleyball, Jenna Sorsen as an English Language Learner teacher and junior high volleyball, Samantha Luze for elementary special education, Debby Hopkins for high school chemistry and physics, Cody Chamblin for assistant wrestling coach and the move of Mitch Miller from junior high football to high school assistant football coach.