Board approves MOU to expand YMCA preschool partnership; district to support special-education needs
May 12, 2026 | Custer School District 16-1, School Districts, South Dakota
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The board voted to approve a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand a partnership with YMCA Black Hills to provide preschool programming and shared curriculum supports.
The superintendent (Speaker 1) thanked YMCA representatives and said the MOU addresses facility leases, program scope and curriculum connections. "It's going to be a collaboration," the superintendent said, emphasizing data sharing so the district can track children who start preschool and follow their progress through K–12.
Keith Larson, who identified himself as "Keith Larson, CEO of YMCA Black Hills," told the board the YMCA aims to scale capacity responsibly and collaborate with the district to avoid turning children away. "If we can get kids ready and challenged before they get into kindergarten, your school district kids are just going to flourish," Larson said.
Board members discussed how special-education needs would be served under the partnership. District staff said existing SPED funding may pay for a paired professional position and that a $50,000 contingency line labeled "transfer to preschool" would function as a contingency rather than a permanent transfer in FY27.
The motion to approve the MOU carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: the agreement formalizes an expanded preschool option in the district, with explicit attention to curriculum alignment and SPED supports. Board members noted the partnership could strengthen early-learning outcomes and potentially improve student readiness for kindergarten.
What’s next: staff will finalize administrative details and monitor enrollment and capacity annually as the program grows.
The superintendent (Speaker 1) thanked YMCA representatives and said the MOU addresses facility leases, program scope and curriculum connections. "It's going to be a collaboration," the superintendent said, emphasizing data sharing so the district can track children who start preschool and follow their progress through K–12.
Keith Larson, who identified himself as "Keith Larson, CEO of YMCA Black Hills," told the board the YMCA aims to scale capacity responsibly and collaborate with the district to avoid turning children away. "If we can get kids ready and challenged before they get into kindergarten, your school district kids are just going to flourish," Larson said.
Board members discussed how special-education needs would be served under the partnership. District staff said existing SPED funding may pay for a paired professional position and that a $50,000 contingency line labeled "transfer to preschool" would function as a contingency rather than a permanent transfer in FY27.
The motion to approve the MOU carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: the agreement formalizes an expanded preschool option in the district, with explicit attention to curriculum alignment and SPED supports. Board members noted the partnership could strengthen early-learning outcomes and potentially improve student readiness for kindergarten.
What’s next: staff will finalize administrative details and monitor enrollment and capacity annually as the program grows.
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