Board wants to go from seven to five members

Will need voter approval

The Flandreau School Board would like to lower the number of board members from seven to five, but needs a simple majority in a public vote to take effect.
Interest in serving on public boards, councils and commissions have dwindled in recent years and many times, there are no petitions returned to run for these offices. When this happens, the sitting board members then appoint someone.
Lowering the number of board members to five could help alleviate this problem if and when it arises. In discussion at the Monday, March 9 meeting, board members noted there could a cost savings, even bigger school districts only have five member boards and discussions could be held in a more timely manner.
Superintendent Quinton Cermak encourgages those qualified to run for one of the two seats open this year to take out a petition. Deadline to return them is March 24. Open board positions currently held by Morgan Kontz and Tom Stenger and will end at the July meeting.
Voting for or against this change along with the two current open board positions will take place during the June 2 primary election.
School board members winning the election will take their seats in July of 2026. With voter approval, the lowering of the number of positions would take effect, July of 2027.
Driver’s Education will be held this spring for interested Flandreau students. Instructor is Robert Lack. The board set a limit of 40 students in the class and kept the cost the same as last year, $340.
Cermak gave a brief recap of the 2026 State Legislative session. He said the district will receive 1.4% increase in state aid noting that it is just that – aid. Local tax dollars are always where the majority of the school’s funding comes from. He also said that bill to reimburse districts for the cost of meals for students on reduced lunch prices has passed. About $600,000 has been allocated by the state to cover these costs.
The district has applied for a grant to finish the fencing around the elementary playground so it will be essentially closed in. Openings will be left on the sidewalk areas.
The board accepted the resignation of Regina Harden, elementary English Language Learner instructor, Sarah Anderson, assistant volleyball coach and Josh Edlund, as weight room supervisor. They voted to change the title of Beau Severtson from volunteer assistant wrestling coach to a paid assistant wrestling coach for the recently completed season.