School board discusses fuel purchasing options
The Tea Area School Board met Sept. 14 and discussed fuel purchasing options.
Superintendent Tonia Warzecha presented information on fuel purchases for the district. She said they reached out to four companies for information. Right now CHS owns the bus fueling station that the district pays $125 per year to lease. They currently use Farm Gas Cooperative for heating fuel at a rate of $1.45 per gallon. The district got a quote from CHS for heating fuel for $1.27 per gallon plus the cost of leasing another tank. The board approved using CHS for bus fuel and heating fuel.
Business manager Chris Esping noted the minimum price for adult breakfast has to be $3.05 so the board approved updating the price to the minimum amount.
The board approved the resignations of LuAnne Bartek for Venture foodservice, Kelly Shiell for special education paraprofessional, Cody Dolge as mechanic and Shawn Kennedy as eighth grade boys basketball coach.
They approved the new hires of Josie Furlong for Venture fourth grade, Dennis Anderson for part-time van/mini bus driver, Lauren Kilstrom as paraprofessional, Kiara Gunlock as paraprofessional, Amelia Ewing for mini bus route and Desirea McClure for mini bus route.
Esping provided the 2027 budget. She noted that with the purchase of the coach bus that will reduce the number of buses and drivers needed to transport students to activities across the state. The board approved the budget resolution.
They also approved the fiscal year 2026 annual report.
Warzecha presented changes to Policy BBB: School Board Elections and Policy BDDG: Minutes. Updates to both policies came from HB1130. Election dates need to be set in December and minutes for the meeting after an election needs to follow codified law. The board approved the updates to both policies.
Warzecha congratulated Legacy Elementary for being named a Blue Ribbon School. She thanked the Home Builders of the Sioux Empire for their grant for a Skyjack lift. She said the roof has been repaired on the middle school from the storm.
She noted that enrollment as of Sept. 10 was 2,630, which was up from last year and the highest enrollment the district has ever had.