Todd County School board approves consent agenda, sends personnel matter to executive session; members report on state funding and bills
March 09, 2026 | Todd County School District 66-1, School Districts, South Dakota
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The Todd County School District 66-1 board approved its consent agenda and later voted to enter executive session to discuss personnel under South Dakota law.
During routine reports, a board member (speaker 3) described a recent trip to Pierre to meet state lawmakers and watch a closely contested cell-phone bill that would have shifted authority over phone policies from local boards to the state. “Representative Emery, as always, is pretty darn good, friend of Todd County,” the member said, and noted the bill died in committee after debate and amendments intended to protect teachers and reporting responsibilities.
Another member (speaker 5) said state budget negotiators were aiming for roughly 1.4%–1.5% increases for education funding, which the member called a positive signal compared with the governor’s earlier proposal. A different member (speaker 6) said a bill to make free and reduced lunches automatic — removing paperwork barriers — and a bill affecting tribal law enforcement officers had reached the governor’s desk and would need the governor’s signature to take effect.
On formal actions, the board approved the consent agenda by motion in the meeting and later approved a motion to enter an executive session under South Dakota codified law for personnel matters (SDCL 1-25-2(1)); the transcript records the motion being seconded (second attributed to Amanda) and the board voting yes to enter closed session.
The meeting included updates on school activities — choir, band and wrestling — and staff highlighted positive feedback from Edcamp professional development sessions. The board asked staff to return with a curriculum-office report in June and to present options on photography vendors and privacy protections at a later meeting.
The board moved into executive session on the recorded motion; the public portion of the meeting ended without additional votes recorded on personnel matters.
During routine reports, a board member (speaker 3) described a recent trip to Pierre to meet state lawmakers and watch a closely contested cell-phone bill that would have shifted authority over phone policies from local boards to the state. “Representative Emery, as always, is pretty darn good, friend of Todd County,” the member said, and noted the bill died in committee after debate and amendments intended to protect teachers and reporting responsibilities.
Another member (speaker 5) said state budget negotiators were aiming for roughly 1.4%–1.5% increases for education funding, which the member called a positive signal compared with the governor’s earlier proposal. A different member (speaker 6) said a bill to make free and reduced lunches automatic — removing paperwork barriers — and a bill affecting tribal law enforcement officers had reached the governor’s desk and would need the governor’s signature to take effect.
On formal actions, the board approved the consent agenda by motion in the meeting and later approved a motion to enter an executive session under South Dakota codified law for personnel matters (SDCL 1-25-2(1)); the transcript records the motion being seconded (second attributed to Amanda) and the board voting yes to enter closed session.
The meeting included updates on school activities — choir, band and wrestling — and staff highlighted positive feedback from Edcamp professional development sessions. The board asked staff to return with a curriculum-office report in June and to present options on photography vendors and privacy protections at a later meeting.
The board moved into executive session on the recorded motion; the public portion of the meeting ended without additional votes recorded on personnel matters.
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