Board approves teacher‑certification waivers and 15 policy updates, then recesses to executive session

The Sioux Falls School District board approved a set of administrative waivers that will allow the district to pursue alternative endorsement and certification pathways for some teachers.

Becky Dorman described three waiver applications: a kindergarten–fourth grade endorsement pathway for Spanish immersion teachers who hold secondary degrees, a plan‑of‑intent waiver that permits certified South Dakota educators an approved third year to complete endorsements, and waivers to allow staff pursuing special‑education coursework to serve in special‑education roles while finishing required classes. The board opened a public hearing, received no public comment and approved the waivers by motion.

Brett presented 15 policies on review/revise, including updates to transportation reporting and staff licensing language, communication services language tied to technology advances, a uniformization of grading/regulation language across elementary, middle and high schools, an update to the open‑enrollment policy that reduces elementary class‑size open‑enrollment numbers by one, and an update to the medication‑administration regulation to reflect new state law. The board approved the full package by motion.

Finally, the board moved to recess and go into executive session under South Dakota Codified Law 1‑25‑2 (statutory subsections cited in the meeting) at the stated time. The meeting recessed for executive session.