The Lennox School Board met Oct. 9 and reported enrollment at 1,151.94 students on the Sept. 30 count day.
Superintendent Chad Conaway said that number is eight less than what they budgeted for. Last year they ended the year with 1,165 students. Alternative instruction was up to 94 students this fall. He noted enrollment has been stagnant across the region.
They have a building committee meeting Oct. 18. Since the chiller has been having some issues, Conaway is looking at upgrading that if it works into the budget.
The board appointed board member Renae Buehner as their representative to the Associated School Board of South Dakota Delegate Assembly.
They approved the new substitutes and volunteers for workers’ compensation. Substitute teachers included Cindy Heidelberger, Shelly Paynter, Kim Boe, Melinda Wood, Taylor Trudeau, Kylee Johnson and Macey Hostetler; substitute kitchen Julie Walder; Worthing classroom volunteers Melinda Wood and Mary Griffin; junior high volunteer mentor Paul Beukelman.
They also heard of the classified employee resignations from Janice Daggitt for 2.5 hours foodservice and Susan Ondrozek Carlson for 8 hours foodservice and the new work agreements of JenaLee Dykstra for 2.5 hours foodservice and Kellie Thomas for 8 hours foodservice.
The board approved four early graduation applications - one as a full year and three for graduation at semester.
They also approved the indemnification agreement with Southeast Technical College.
In principal reports, high school principal Chad Allison said ACT prep has begun, seniors will take the NCRC test Nov. 1 and Sen. John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson will be visiting this week and next week. Intermediate school principal Darin Eich said Call to Freedom talked about human trafficking during staff in-service and received ALICE training from Russ Nelson. Lennox Elementary principal Cody Lutes said Worthing and Lennox elementary teachers held a Zoom meeting with Beresford teachers to collaborate on the new math curriculum. Special education director Laura Welch has been working with special education staff on how to use AI.
The board adjourned at 6:30 p.m