School board approves resolution authorizing capital outlay certificates

The Tea Area School Board met April 14 and approved a resolution authorizing capital outlay certificates.

Tom Grimmond from financing firm Colliers talked to the board about the process that involves the execution, terms, issuance, sale and payment of limited tax general obligation certificates in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $7.5 million.

Superintendent Jennifer Lowery said the capital outlay plan document can be viewed on the district’s website so see what the district plans to do with capital outlay funds.

Esping noted they received the fiscal year 2024 audit. 

There was one finding that involves new accounting rules for leases where it has to be income and expense. She said that’s an easy fix for the future.

The board approved the bids for the operations shop/bus storage building expansion that would use capital outlay certificates to add 10 stalls to the existing building. 

They approved the bid from Colman Building Center for the building system for $273,368.76 and the bid from JJ Electric for electrical for $24,862.

The board approved the resignations of JeanAnn Bryan as foodservice supervisor, Ryan Debelak as high school special education counselor, Hannah Frederick for foodservice, Liam Hamilton as Chromebook technician and Tony Johnson for high school social studies effective at the end of the school year. 

They also approved the resignations of Jessica Javers for Frontier foodservice, Candice Kaas for high school foodservice, Kaitlin Niles for colorguard and Jolene Topete for middle school foodservice.

They approved the new hires of Kiernan Burch for Frontier third grade and Trishia Fischer for high school special education counselor for fiscal year 2026, as well as Trevor Howard as Chromebook technician effective May 1.

The board recognized the transfer of Nicolette Schmidt from Frontier third grade to second grade.

They reviewed and approved revisions to various handbooks for the 2025-26 school year. Each of the student handbooks updates included new wording on cheating and grievances. The grievance policy requires the student to submit a grievance in writing and the burden of proof lies with the student. Specific to the middle school handbook, they removed Thursday detention and moved it to lunchtime. In the high school handbook, they moved lockers are available upon request. 

They approved the date changes to the Chromebook handbook.

The board approved the second reading of Policy GCDB. Lowery said the policy now puts them in compliance with DCI. The policy now has all level three volunteers run a background check where they provide their name, birthdate and social security number.

They approved the resolution for the district to continue to be a member of the South Dakota High School Activities Association.

Operations manager Wayne Larsen reported that they are still waiting on three sets of stairways for the high school expansion project. Once those are installed, the steel crew will be done. Concrete crews are pouring a lot of sidewalks and steps right now. HVAC crews are working on ductwork in the ceiling in the PAC. The plumbers are setting the restroom fixtures where the tile is finished and they are finishing hookups on fire water pumps. Steel and stud has been working primarily in the PAC. The sidewalls will be done soon in the PAC. They are taping and texturing in the science wing. Some of the building is lit up with the building electricity instead of the temporary electricity now. Thornton has installed flooring in the classroom wing. Glass for the front reception area should start to get installed next week.

The board heard updates on continuous school improvement, special education and Frontier principal Barb Hansen and high school assistant principal David Preheim about their schools targeted school improvement plans.

The board went into executive session for employee contract negotiations and personnel.