Milbank School District Board Proceedings January 5, 2026
Milbank School District Board Proceedings January 5, 2026
January 5, 2026
President, Richard Schwandt, called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the high school building. Members present were Thue, Seffrood, Steffensen, Christensen, and Schwandt. Superintendent Justin Downes and Business Manager Nancy Meyer were also in attendance.
No one came forward during the Community Input Session.
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Steffensen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 5-0
Motion by Thue and seconded by Seffrood to accept the resignation of Jeremy Steffensen as a Board Member. Motion carried. 5-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Thue to enter executive session at 6:04 p.m. for personnel issues pursuant to SDCL 1.25.2. Motion carried. 5-0
Chair Schwandt declared executive session over at 8:11 p.m. and regular session resumed.
Motion by Steffensen and seconded by Christensen to adjourn at 8:13 p.m. Motion carried. 5-0
The next School Board meeting is set for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the High School Building.
/s/ Richard Schwandt,
Chairman
/s/ Nancy M. Meyer,
Business Manager
January 12, 2026
President, Richard Schwandt called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the high school building. Members present were Seffrood, Christensen, and Schwandt. Absent Amy Thue. Superintendent Justin Downes and Business Manager Nancy Meyer were also in attendance. Guests present were Jeanne Ward, Kathy Ward, Nancy Hoeke, Matt Trevett, Sara VanMeter, Katie Riley, Ryan Scoular, David Graf, Dan Snaza, and Andrea Hagen.
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried. 3-0
No once came forward during the Community Input Session.
Discussion Items: Student Enrollment Update, Lunch Angel Funds, First Reading of Policy BBBB.
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to approve the consent agenda that included:
• Approved of the minutes of the December School Board Meeting.
• Accept the Business Manager’s Financial Report.
Business Manager’s Monthly Report: General Fund: Balance 12-1-25, $1,910,188.46. Revenues: Taxes, $151,568.36; Interest, $693.88; Local Misc, $51,459.25; County Apportionment, $325.53; State Aid, $342,168.00; Federal Sources, $89,422.43. Expenditures: Salaries-Instructional, $356,392.05; Salaries-Support Services, $134,393.21; Salaries-Co-curricular, $34,930.47; Benefits-Instructional, $95,760.09; Benefits-Support Services, $40,803.72; Benefits-Co-curricular, $5,287.70; Purchased Services, $149,271.35; Supplies, $24,361.47. Balance 12-31-25, $1,704,625.85.
Capital Outlay Fund: Balance 12-1-25, $626,731.06. Revenues: Taxes, $115,924.74; Interest, $230.42. Expenditures: Purchased Services, $18,801.03; Supplies, $1,584.99; Capital Acquisitions, $19,854.65; Other, $1,184.42. Balance 12-31-25, $701,461.13.
Special Education Fund: Balance 12-1-25, $521,231.64. Revenues: Taxes, $90,960.65; Interest, $191.63; State Aid, $46,495.00; IDEA Flowthrough, $41,881.00. Expenditures: Salaries-Instructional, $119,921.42; Salaries-Support Services, $21,262.69; Benefits-Instructional, $34,203.56; Benefits-Support Services, $6,011.92; Purchased Services, $84,314.93; Supplies, $1,021.52. Balance 12-31-25, $434,023.88.
Bond Redemption Fund: Balance 12-1-25, $939,556.94. Revenues: Taxes, $48,817.07; Interest, $345.43. Balance 12-31-25, $988,719.44.
Lunch Fund: Balance 12-1-25, $3,813.46. Revenues: Student Meals, $35,599.33; Adult Meals, $2,966.25; Ala Carte Sales, $2,468.50; State Apportionment, $32,380.17. Expenditures: Salaries-Support Services, $28,827.86; Benefits-Support Services, $10,697.58; Purchased Services, $120.19; Supplies, $36,715.95. Balance 12-31-25, $866.13. Promissory Notes to General Fund, $8,200.00.
Enterprise Funds: Balance 12-1-25, $6,148.93. Revenues: OST Fees, $6,517.97. Expenditures: Salaries, OST, $6,645.17; Benefits-OST, $1,600.33; Purchased Services, $99.48; Supplies, $1,119.72. Balance 12-31-25, $3,202.20. Promissory Notes to General Fund, $53,500.00.
Custodial Accounts: Balance 12-1-25, $762,648.59. Revenues, $50,051.06; Expenditures, $83,175.73. Balance 12-31-25, $729,523.92.
• Approval of Bills presented for payment.
Bills Presented for Payment: 3D Security, Maintenance, $1,500.00; Advanced Technologies, Supplies, $175.25; Als Body Shop, Repairs, $1,090.32; Amazon Capital Services, Supplies, $4,905.31; AmericInn-Ft Pierre, Lodging, $605.00; Berens Market, Supplies, $654.94; Big Stone Therapies, Professional Services, $19,824.05; Bimbo Bakeries, Food, $869.41; Blick Art Materials, Supplies, $1,333.61; BMO Harris Card, Supplies/Travel, $7,291.39; Broadway Licensing, Supplies, $380.45; Tess Campbell, Background Check, $50.00; Cash-Wa Dist, Food, $6,724.39; Cedar Shore Resort, Staff Travel, $131.35; Chase Cards, Supplies/Travel, $4,517.04; Children’s Care Hospital & School, Tuition, $16,065.00; Annie Christensen, Background Check, $50.00; Cole Papers, Supplies, $890.75; DeFea Transportation, Busing, $75,714.81; East Side Jersey Dairy, Food, $2,248.10; Elite Business Systems, Repairs, $227.50; ETS-Teaching & Learning Division, Registration, $55.00; First Bank & Trust, Loan Payment, $36,185.57; First Western Equipment Finance, Floor Scrubber, $649.00; Food-N-Fuel, Fuel, $1,175.27; Grant County Review, Publications, $309.17; Health Equity, HSA Fees, $88.00; Hillyard, Supplies, $4,880.82; Imprest Fund, Registration, $1,409.04; Imprest Fund, Professional Services, $2,678.00; Imprest Fund, Supplies, $758.27; Infinite Campus, Supplies, $245.00; ITC, Telephone, $247.36; Jaymar Business Forms, Supplies, $160.07; Joy Blooms, Supplies, $99.93; Kibble Equipment, Repairs, $2,177.39; Lakes County Service Coop, Paper, $11,376.00; Mid-American Research Chemical, Supplies, $5,031.13; Midland Publishing & Printing, Advertising, $219.07; Milbank Community Transit, Busing, $145.00; Milbank School Lunch Program, Supplies, $2,626.33; Milbank School Lunch, Student Workers, $76.00; NCS Pearson, Supplies, $29.25; Nelsons Electric, Repairs, $19,469.53; Northwestern Energy, Natural Gas, $8,874.73; Otter Tail Power, Lights/Power, $27,163.21; Oxygen Service Company, Supplies, $378.89; Parent, Mileage, $670.00; Performance Foodservice-Marshall, $4,335.37; Plunketts, Pest Control, $122.24; Powerschool, Software, $2,954.00; Deborah Rausch, Professional Services, $1,440.00; Sarlettes Music, Repairs, $746.47; SASD, Registration, $45.00; SD Dept of Human Services, Residential Services, $36,207.50; SD DOE-Child & Adult Nutrition Services, Food, $3,501.58; SD Retailers Assn, Registration, $195.00; Sight & Sound, Building Improvements, $36,254.84; Sioux Falls Christian, Registration, $30.00; Star Laundry & Dry Cleaners, Cleaning Service, $514.51; Nicole Stengel, Supplies, $181.21; Sterling Computers, Chromebooks, $39,520.00; Sysco-ND, Food, $16,524.52; Jay Trenhaile, Professional Services, $5,277.77; Tri State Water, Water/Cooler, $178.80; Tubbs of Soft Water, Supplies, $185.05; Twin Valley Tire, Repairs, $172.40; US Bank, Certificate Payment, $292,002.50; US Omni & TSACG Compliance, Professional Services, $50.00; Verizon Wireless, Phone Service, $99.48; Whetstone Sanitation, Garbage Collection, $1,350.00; Cynthia Wiseman, Background Check, $50.00; Zems Inc, Equipment Repair, $300.00. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to accept the resignation of Mariah Hicks as Head Debate. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to accept the resignation of Carol Ydstie as Paraprofessional at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Seffrood to accept the resignation of Kristal Gallegos as Paraprofessional as of January 23, 2026. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to accept the resignation of Brian Allmendinger as Teacher. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to accept the resignation of Brittni Cordingley as Teacher at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to accept the resignation of Morgan Schmitt as Teacher at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to approve the hiring of Kathy Tyler as Head Debate Coach. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to approve the hiring of Cindy Davis as a Paraprofessional at a starting wage of $18.85 per hour. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to approve the activation of Experience Pay for Jeremy Tostenson in the 2026-27 school year. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to approve Open Enrollment for a family with four students currently enrolled at Milbank who moved to Ortonville.
Reports were received by Elementary Principal, David Graf, Middle School Principal/AD, Ryan Scoular, High School Principal, Dan Snaza, and Special Services Director, Andrea Hagen.
Superintendent Downes reported on the following:
1. Legislative Issues
2. Board Petitions
3. Final Scoreboard Payment
4. Teacher of the Year
5. First Bank and Trust Operating Note
6. Paraprofessional Apprenticeship Pathway
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to enter executive session for personnel matters pursuant to SDCL 1.25.2 at 6:21 p.m. Motion carried. 3-0
Chair Schwandt declared executive session over at 8:20 p.m. and regular session resumed.
Motion by Christensen and seconded by Seffrood to appoint Matt Trevett as Board member to replace Jeremy Steffensen. Motion carried. 3-0
Motion by Seffrood and seconded by Christensen to adjourn at 8:21 p.m. Motion carried. 3-0
The next School Board meeting is set for Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room of the High School Building.
/s/ Richard Schwandt,
Chairman
/s/ Nancy M. Meyer,
Business Manager
