By Watertown Current - July 30, 2026 in Northeast Educational Services Cooperative
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, July 20, 2026
The Board of Directors for the Northeast Educational Services Cooperative (NESC) met in regular session on Monday, July 20, 2026, via Zoom and at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD. The meeting was called to order by President Schuurman at 7:00 P.M. and adjourned at 8:51 P.M.
Members Present
In-Person: Alisha Nielsen, Castlewood; Malory McIntire, Clark; Wade Gubrud, Deuel; Shane Roth, De Smet; Arend Schuurman, Elkton; Jevon Zirbel, Summit; Cory Zirbel, Waubay; Penny Thyen, Waverly/South Shore; Nick Fosheim, Webster
Zoom: Jon Kahnke, Florence; Audrey Rider, Henry; Sterling Eschenbaum, Lake Preston; Carrie Schiernbeck, O-R-R; Diane LeClair, Rosholt; Tara Abraham, Hamlin; Skyman Redday, Enemy Swim; Tia Felberg, Willow Lake; Emily Hennagir, Wilmot (departed at 8:35)
Absent:
Annette Schrock, Arlington; Amy Jo Vietor, Britton/Hecla; Amy Otten, Deubrook; Estelline; Greg Bich, Iroquois; Jamie Trygstad, Sioux Valley
NESC Staff Representatives: Brenda Boyd (Z) and Nicol Huyvaert (Z)
Member District Superintendents: Travis Ahrens, Clark (Z)
NESC Administration: Anneke Nelson, Director; Hunter Lee, Business Manager; Bre Schwandt, Assistant Director
Call to Order
President Schuurman called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Introduction of Guests
Travis Ahrens, Brenda Boyd, and Nicol Huyvaert were introduced as guests.
Guests Not Introduced
Guests not formally introduced: Joel and Alyssa Shoemaker (entered the meeting at 7:04 and departed at 7:18) and Vanessa Bloom (entered the meeting at 7:05 and departed at 8:04).
Agenda Review, Changes, and Approval
Action #26-89 Motion by M. McIntire, seconded by N. Fosheim, to add agenda items 7e. (Brittany Pribbenhow — Castlewood $22), 7f. (Gavan Lindner – Webster $19), 7g. (Kate Sunnarborg – Hamlin $19), and 7h. (Samantha McBrien – Lake Preston Pathways para $19.60) All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment
Joel Shoemaker provided a public comment regarding staffing concerns.
Conflict of Interest
No conflicts of interest were presented.
Financial Report
Action #26-90 Motion by C. Zirbel, seconded by S. Roth, to approve the financial report for the period ending June 30, 2026. All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
General Fund, Special Education Fund, Agency Fund
June 1, 2026 $368,622.44 $985,103.48 $16,782.45
Receipts:
Local Sources $2,278.09 $335,248.65 $2,255.37
State Sources $1,239.25
Federal Sources
Other
Total Monthly Receipts $2,278.09 $336,487.90 $2,255.37
Balance Forward $370,900.53 $1,321,591.38 $19,037.82
Manual Journal Entries
Less Salaries $5,112.82 $426,174.29
Less Disbursements $11,250.29 $65,695.83 $3,836.85
Total Salaries & Disbursements $18,977.74 $491,870.12 $3,836.85
Ending Cash Balance
June 30, 2026 $354,537.42 $829,721.26 $15,200.97
Consent Agenda
Action #26-91 Motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by J. Zirbel to approve Consent Agenda items: 7a. (Approval of June 15, 2026, meeting minutes), 7b. (Approval of payment of final FY 2026 budget claims), 7c. (Approval of Contracts i. ESY Contract Dustin Blaha $35.50 per hour ii. ESY Contract Jennifer Mitchell $21.40 per hour), 7d. (Resignation of Deb Tiefenthaler, SLP at end of 26-27 school year), 7e. (Brittany Pribbenhow — Castlewood $22), 7f. (Gavan Lindner – Webster $19), 7g. (Kate Sunnarborg – Hamlin $19), and 7h. (Samantha McBrien – Lake Preston Pathways para $19.60) All present voted; motion carried unanimously. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
EOFY 2026 Accounts Payable
GENERAL FUND: ACCIDENT FUND INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,WORK COMP,1,258.88; APPTEGY, INC.,WEBSITE,760.00; ASBSD,FY27 DUES,62.00; AUTOMATIVE SERVICE CENTER,FLEET MAINT,2,998.76; AXESS COOPERATIVE ,FLEET MAINT,18.85; BASS SANITATION INC.,APRIL, MAY, & JUNE GARBAGE,13.36; BRIAN’S GLASS AND DOOR, INC,FLEET MAINT,710.00; BYTESPEED, LLC,TECH EQUIPMENT,1,797.92; CENEX FLEETCARD,FLEET MAINT,1,603.85; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC.,JUNE 2026 RUG USE,6.70; ED ASSIST, LLC,BUSINESS MANAGER TRAINING/SUPPORT, 50.56; HAMLIN COUNTY FARMERS COOP,FLEET MAINT,181.46; HEALTH EQUITY,JUNE 2026 HSA/FLEX,10.68; HEATH, COURTNEY ,ADVANCE STUDY,120.00; MINERT & ASSOCIATES, INC,DRUG TESTING,796.00; NESC SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECTS,FY26 4TH QUARTER EXPENSED MILEAGE,349.58; RELIABANK,DEPOSIT BOX,1.20; ROB’S AUTO REPAIR,FLEET MAINT,2,002.62; SASD,ANNEKE N. & BRE S. MEMBERSHIP SASD,130.40; SHEEHAN, JEFF ,JUNE 2026 MOWING,147.20; SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP.,MICROSOFT SUBSCRIPTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES,311.77; SOFTWARE UNLIMITED,FY27 SOFTWARE FEE,508.00; TOWN OF HAYTI,WATER,27.36; W.W. TIRE SERVICE,FLEET MAINT,563.07; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC,MINUTES,7.63; WEBSTER AUTO CARE,FLEET MAINT,728.29;
FUND TOTAL: $15,166.14
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: ACCIDENT FUND INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,WORK COMP,14,477.12; APPTEGY, INC.,WEBSITE,8,740.00; ASBSD,FY27 DUES,713.00; BASS SANITATION INC.,APRIL, MAY, & JUNE GARBAGE,153.64; BYTESPEED, LLC,TECH EQUIPMENT,20,676.08; DONELAN, MYCHELLE ,ESY MILEAGE,592.2; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC.,JUNE 2026 RUG USE,77.10; ED ASSIST, LLC,BUSINESS MANAGER TRAINING/SUPPORT,581.39; GIGOV, ROBIN ,ESY MILEAGE,54.67; HEALTH EQUITY,JUNE 2026 HSA/FLEX,122.92; HEATH, COURTNEY ,ADVANCE STUDY,1,380.00; KROG, ABYGAIL ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,53.60; MARTIAN, EMILY ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,450.24; MEYER, DANIELLE ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,175.54; NESC SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECTS,FY26 4TH QUARTER EXPENSED MILEAGE,81,791.08; OLSON, KIMBERLY ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,246.56; RELIABANK,DEPOSIT BOX,13.80; SASD,ANNEKE N. & BRE S. MEMBERSHIP SASD,1,499.60; SHEEHAN, JEFF ,JUNE 2026 MOWING,12.80; SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP.,MICROSOFT SUBSCRIPTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES,3,585.30; SOFTWARE UNLIMITED,FY27 SOFTWARE FEE,5,842.00; TOWN OF HAYTI,WATER,314.64; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC,MINUTES,87.79; WILSON, SHYLA ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,160.80
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: $141,801.95
Discussion Items
FY27 Preliminary Budget
Business Manager Lee provided information regarding the FY 2027 budget.
Format of Financial Information
Business Manager Lee discussed possible changes to the presentation of financial information.
Closing Payroll Clearing Account
Business Manager Lee discussed closing the payroll clearing account with Reliabank.
Appoint Business Manager as President Pro-Tem
Action #26-92 Motion by M. McIntire, seconded by N. Fosheim to appoint Business Manager Lee as President Pro-Tem. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Action #26-93 With there being no further business to come before the Board of Directors for FY26, Motion by A. Schuurman, seconded by C. Zirbel to adjourn the final Board of Directors meeting for FY26 at 7:34 P.M. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
NESC Board of Directors
Annual Reorganization Meeting
The annual reorganization meeting for FY27 was called to order by President Pro-Tem Lee at 7:35 P.M.
Election of Officers for Fiscal Year 2027.
Office of the President
Action #27-1 Motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by S. Roth, to nominate A. Schuurman and cease nominations for the office of President. All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
Office of the Vice-President
Action #27-2 Motion by M. McIntire, seconded by A. Nielsen, to nominate P. Thyen and cease nominations for the office of Vice-President. All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
NESC 2026-2027 Budget Hearing
Business Manager Lee presented the FY27 budget.
Consent Agenda
Action #27-3 Motion by P. Thyen, seconded by N. Fosheim to approve the following items on the consent agenda: 5a (Approval of July 2026 budget claims), 5b (Designate official depository – Reliabank-Hayti, SD), 5c (Authorize official newspaper – Watertown Current), 5d (Designate Legal Counsel – KSB Law Firm), 5e (Designate the Business Manager as the official custodian of accounts), 5e (Designate the Business Manager as the official custodian of accounts), 5f (Adopt Travel rates: i. In state: Current state mileage rate per mile (amend to .70); $6 breakfast; $14 lunch; $20 dinner, actual cost for lodging ii. Out of state: Current state mileage rate per mile (amend to .70); $10 breakfast; $18 lunch; $28 dinner, actual cost for lodging), 5g (Appoint Title IX and 504 Coordinator – Bre Schwandt), 5h (Designate Director Nelson and Business Manager Lee as federal program agents), 5i (Designate Director Nelson and Business Manager Lee as purchasing agents), 5j (Set Board of Directors’ pay for special committee meetings as $75 per meeting; current state rate per mile (.70 per mile)), 5k (Approval for the Business Manager to use the electronic signature stamp) All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
July 2026 Accounts Payable
GENERAL FUND: ACCIDENT FUND INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,WORK COMP,1,258.88; APPTEGY, INC.,WEBSITE,760.00; ASBSD,FY27 DUES,62.00; AUTOMATIVE SERVICE CENTER,FLEET MAINT,2,998.76; AXESS COOPERATIVE ,FLEET MAINT,18.85; BASS SANITATION INC.,APRIL, MAY, & JUNE GARBAGE,13.36; BRIAN’S GLASS AND DOOR, INC,FLEET MAINT,710.00; BYTESPEED, LLC,TECH EQUIPMENT,1,797.92; CENEX FLEETCARD,FLEET MAINT,1,603.85; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC.,JUNE 2026 RUG USE,6.70; ED ASSIST, LLC,BUSINESS MANAGER TRAINING/SUPPORT, 50.56; HAMLIN COUNTY FARMERS COOP,FLEET MAINT,181.46; HEALTH EQUITY,JUNE 2026 HSA/FLEX,10.68; HEATH, COURTNEY ,ADVANCE STUDY,120.00; MINERT & ASSOCIATES, INC,DRUG TESTING,796.00; NESC SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECTS,FY26 4TH QUARTER EXPENSED MILEAGE,349.58; RELIABANK,DEPOSIT BOX,1.20; ROB’S AUTO REPAIR,FLEET MAINT,2,002.62; SASD,ANNEKE N. & BRE S. MEMBERSHIP SASD,130.40; SHEEHAN, JEFF ,JUNE 2026 MOWING,147.20; SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP.,MICROSOFT SUBSCRIPTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES,311.77; SOFTWARE UNLIMITED,FY27 SOFTWARE FEE,508.00; TOWN OF HAYTI,WATER,27.36; W.W. TIRE SERVICE,FLEET MAINT,563.07; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC,MINUTES,7.63; WEBSTER AUTO CARE,FLEET MAINT,728.29;
FUND TOTAL: $15,166.14
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: ACCIDENT FUND INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,WORK COMP,14,477.12; APPTEGY, INC.,WEBSITE,8,740.00; ASBSD,FY27 DUES,713.00; BASS SANITATION INC.,APRIL, MAY, & JUNE GARBAGE,153.64; BYTESPEED, LLC,TECH EQUIPMENT,20,676.08; DONELAN, MYCHELLE ,ESY MILEAGE,592.2; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC.,JUNE 2026 RUG USE,77.10; ED ASSIST, LLC,BUSINESS MANAGER TRAINING/SUPPORT,581.39; GIGOV, ROBIN ,ESY MILEAGE,54.67; HEALTH EQUITY,JUNE 2026 HSA/FLEX,122.92; HEATH, COURTNEY ,ADVANCE STUDY,1,380.00; KROG, ABYGAIL ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,53.60; MARTIAN, EMILY ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,450.24; MEYER, DANIELLE ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,175.54; NESC SPECIAL REVENUE PROJECTS,FY26 4TH QUARTER EXPENSED MILEAGE,81,791.08; OLSON, KIMBERLY ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,246.56; RELIABANK,DEPOSIT BOX,13.80; SASD,ANNEKE N. & BRE S. MEMBERSHIP SASD,1,499.60; SHEEHAN, JEFF ,JUNE 2026 MOWING,12.80; SHI INTERNATIONAL CORP.,MICROSOFT SUBSCRIPTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES,3,585.30; SOFTWARE UNLIMITED,FY27 SOFTWARE FEE,5,842.00; TOWN OF HAYTI,WATER,314.64; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC,MINUTES,87.79; WILSON, SHYLA ,ESY JUNE MILEAGE,160.80
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: $141,801.95
Discussion Items
Assistant Director’s Report
Assistant Director Schwandt gave an update on trainings and the transition into the new role.
Director’s Report
Director Nelson shared and explained the organizational chart for FY27.
Executive Session
Action #27-4 Pursuant to Negotiations – SDCL 1-25-2(4) Preparing for contract negotiations or negotiating with employees or employee representatives. Pursuant to Personnel – SDCL 1-25-2(1) Discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. Motion by C. Zirbel, seconded by W. Gubrud, to enter executive session at 8:04 P.M. All present voting in favor, motion carried unanimously.
President Schuurman declared the board out of executive session at 8:47 P.M.
Action Items
Action #27-5 Motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by J. Zirbel, to approve NESC By-laws for 26-27. All present voted; the motion carried unanimously.
Action #27-6 Motion by M. McIntire, seconded by W. Gubrud, to approve NESC Board Policies for 26-27. All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Action #27-7 With there being no further business, motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by N. Fosheim, to adjourn. All present voted; motion carried unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on August 17th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at LATC.
/s/Arend Schuurman, President
/s/Hunter Lee, Business Manager
ADMINSTRATION: Anneke Nelson 104,365.95; Bre Schwandt 75,000.00; Hunter Lee 65,000.00; Tammy Anderson 21.05/hr; Rebecca Swafford 18.25/hr; CUSTODIAN: Geraldine Binde 20.75/hr; ACADEMIC EVALUATORS: Sara Bingen 59,889.72; Shana Vander Grift 65,645.60; Lindsey West 58,992.00; BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST: Sara Lorensberg 82,450.00; EARLY CHILDHOOD: Deb Jensen 69,614.60; Teresa Landmark 63,645.60; Wendi Lindner 69,614.60; Kelly Short 58,500.00; Lori Wiley 72,164.60; EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST: Alicia Schoenhard 83,183.49; Amy Yost 96,441.54; TECHNOLOGY COORINATOR/EDUCATIONAL SPECIALIST: Brenda Boyd 74,500.60; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS: Angela Engels 71,500.00; Stephanie Hayunga 72,467.23; Nicol Huyvaert 82,999.05; OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS ASSISTANTS: Kelsey Kringen 28,353.64; Lexi Schreurs 41,000.00; Jenna Wagner 31,556.25; PHYSICAL THERAPISTS: Nancy Crump 93,888.20; Kristina Sutten 80,975.58; PYSICAL THERAPISTS ASSISTANTS: Kristy Boettcher 57,370.27; PATHWAYS: Chantel Duerre 32,610.00; Chris Lather 64,254.76; Jennifer Mitchell 51,000.00; Cody Swenson 55,160.20; Scott Wagner 51,000.00; SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGISTS: Jody Gary 71,910.00; Melissa Gent 75,806.17; Traci Graham 82,386.17; Courtney Heath 66,000.00; Nikki Heggelund 71,910.00; Patricia McGlone 75,806.17; Maria Meyer 65,313.88; Shelly Skogstad 79,863.40; SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY INTERN: Kris Street 78,510.99; DOCTORATE SUPERVISION: Ted Williams 50.00/hr; SPEETH THERAPY: Jennifer Deutsch 81,519.34; Angel Dubro 54,767.11; Marisa Freeman 68,260.06; Leah Giese 67,095.34; Heather Hansen 70,039.21; Alysha Johnson 34,324.16; Ashley Lerwick 72;167.58; Megan Liljegren 68,260.06; Deb Tiefenthaler 84,915.08; Mindy Schwinger 72,167.58; Rochelle Schmidt 69,613.81; Talli Raml 64,000.00; Nicole Nedved 65,930.61; Danielle Meyer 67,410.06; SPEECH THERAPIST ASSISTANTS: Tori Lindgren 42,529.26; Mallorie Mattern 41,303.40; Brandi Rus 43,142.19; PARA PROFESSIONALS: Maysen Grewe 20.55/hr; Shelby Guerdet 22.65/hr; Jodi Harms 19.75/hr; Zach Jordan 20.20/hr; Kayla Klocker 19.25/hr; Baily Mack 21.65/hr; Kristen Marko 20.25/hr; Shari Peckenpaugh 23.25/hr; Amanda Raml 19.35/hr; Jeff Sikkink 19.05/hr; Amy Welsh 21.00/hr; Eliza Wiitanen 18.50/hr; EXTENED SCHOOL YEAR: Gabriella Blees 35.50/hr; Jennifer Deutsch 57.29/hr; Mychelle Donelan 21.50/hr; Angel Dubro 44.63/hr; Marisa Freeman 47.88/hr; Leah Giese 47.05/hr; Robin Gigov 44.97/hr; Heather Hansen 49.14/hr; Debra Jensen 48.84/hr; Alysha Johnson 48.15/hr; Kayla Klocker 19.00/hr; Abygail Krog 35.50/hr; Teresa Landmark 44.60/hr; Chris Lather 45.03/hr; Megan Liljegren 47.88/hr;Wendi Lindner 48.84/hr; Baily Mack 21.40/hr; Emily Martian 41.69/hr; Danielle Meyer 48.36/hr; Nicole Nedved 46.22/hr; Morgan Odegaard 36.58/hr; Kim Olson 38.87/hr; Leslie Olson 19.10/hr; Shari Peckenpaugh 23.00/hr; Kate Rich 18.00/hr; Rochelle Schmidt 48.84/hr; Mindy Schwinger 50.65/hr; Riley Seeds 35.50/hr; Kelly Short 36.24/hr; Amanda Stulken 35.50/hr; Cody Swenson 38.57/hr; Deb Tiefenthaler 59.71/hr; Tiffany Tschakert 19.60/hr; Angie Wegner 44.87/hr; Lori Wiley 50.65/hr; Shyla Wilson 18.00/hr.
Published once on July 30, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $167.64 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.