By Watertown Current - July 2, 2026 in Northeast Educational Services Cooperative
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, June 15, 2026
The Board of Directors for the Northeast Educational Services Cooperative (NESC) met in regular session on Monday, June 15, 2026, via Zoom and at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD. The meeting was called to order by President Schuurman at 7:01 P.M. and adjourned at 8:14 P.M.
Members Present In-Person: Alisha Nielsen, Castlewood; Lacey, Ortberg, Clark; Wade Gubrud, Deuel; Arend Schuurman, Elkton; Audrey Rider, Henry; Penny Thyen, Waverly/South Shore. Zoom: Megann Murphy, Arlington; Shane Roth, DeSmet; Amy Otten, Deubrook; Jon Kahnke, Florence (arrived 7:04); Tara Abraham, Hamlin; Sterling Eschenbaum, Lake Preston (arrived 7:03); Diana LeClair, Rosholt; Jayme Trygstad, Sioux Valley; Nick Foshiem, Webster (arrived 7:07); Tia Felberg, Willow Lake
Absent: Heather Landreth, Britton/Hecla; Skyman Redday, Enemy Swim Day School; Trish Schwartz, Estelline; Greg Bich, Iroquois; Carrie Schiernbeck, ORR; Lisa Amdahl, Summit; Cory Zirbel, Waubay; Jacque Cameron, Wilmot
NESC Staff Representatives: Brenda Boyd (Z)
Member District Superintendents: Brian Sampson, Arlington (Z); Travis Ahrens, Clark (Z); Todd Obele, Henry (Z)
NESC Administration: Anneke Nelson, Director; Hunter Lee, Business Manager; Tim Frewing, Assistant Director
Other: Bre Schwandt
Call to Order
President Schuurman called the meeting to order at 7:01 P.M.
Introduction of Guests
Brian Sampson, Travis Ahrens, Todd Obele, Bre Schwandt, and Brenda Boyd were introduced as guests.
Agenda Review, Changes, and Approval
Action #26-77 Motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by W. Gubrud, to add agenda items 8i (Use of electronic signature for Hunter Lee to print on checks), 9b SDCL 1-25-2(1) Discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or fitness of any public officer or employee, 10h (Approval of electronic signature for Hunter Lee to print on checks), and remove 10f (Approve the pursuit of rental of NESC “Storage room/Band room”). All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Public Comment
No public comments were made.
Conflict of Interest
No conflicts of interest were presented.
Financial Report
Action #26-78 Motion by L. Ortberg, seconded by S. Roth, to approve the financial report for the period ending May 31, 2026. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
General Fund, Special Education Fund, Agency Fund
May 1, 2026, $368,469.10, $965,304.99, $16,306.98
Receipts:
Local Sources $11,881.27, $303,080.95, $2,255.37
State Sources $(69,551.41)
Federal Sources $264,465.00
Other
Total Monthly Receipts $11,881.27, $497,994.54, $2,255.37
Balance Forward $380,350.37, $1,463,299.53, $18,562.35
Manual Journal Entries
Less Salaries $4,480.28, $444,429.03,
Less Disbursements $14,497.46, $39,367.90, $1,779.90
Total Salaries & Disbursements $18,977.74, $483,796.93, $1,779.90
Ending Cash Balance
May 31, 2026, $361,372.63, $979,502.60, $16,782.45
Consent Agenda
Action #26-79 Motion by P. Thyen, seconded by A. Rider to approve Consent Agenda items: 7a) May 18, 2026 Meeting Minutes; 7b) June 2026 Budget Claims; 7c) Approve the resignation of Madison Henley, paraprofessional, Webster Pathways program; 7d) Approve Morgan Odegaard ESY contract ($36.58/hr); 7e) Approve Ted Williams contract for doctorate supervision ($50.00/hr); 7f) Approve Scott Wagner contract for Special Education Teacher, Lake Preston Pathways Program ($51,000); 7g) Approve Kelly Short contract for ECSE teacher ($58,500)); 7h) Approve Edmentum quote ($8,039.51 for 47 Courseware seats). All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
May 2026 Accounts Payable
GENERAL FUND: AUTOMATIVE SERVICE CENTER FLEET MAINT 179.69; CENEX FLEETCARD FLEET MAINT 6,777.49; BMO MASTERCARD PURCH SVCS, TRAVEL, PHONE, SPLS 242.78; EINSPHAR AUTO PLAZA INC. FLEET MAINT 1,460.40; HAMLIN COUNTY FARMERS COOP FLEET MAINT 161.11; HEALTH EQUITY HSA/FLEX 5.34; ITC TELECOM PHONE SERVICES 33.64; KSB SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL MATTERS 22.68; LATHER, CHRISTOPHER PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION 91.65; MIDWEST GLASS, INC. FLEET MAINT 408.90; MILBANK FORD, INC FLEET MAINT 621.54; MINERT & ASSOCIATES, INC DRUG TESTING 102.00; PRAIRIE AG PARTNERS FLEET MAINT 169.21; ROB’S AUTO REPAIR FLEET MAINT 335.50; RON’S AUTO REPAIR FLEET MAINT 60.66; SCOTTING HEATING & COOLING LLC FURNANCE MAINT 59.05; SHEEHAN, JEFF LAWN CARE 3.20; SMITH, BARTON FLEET MAINT 152.00; TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC TIME CLOCK 2.81; W.W. TIRE SERVICE FLEET MAINT 789.20; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC MINUTES 7.05; WEBSTER AUTO CARE FLEET MAINT 136.71
FUND TOTAL: $11,822.61
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: CASTLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT NURSE SPLIT 11,925.94; BMO MASTERCARD PURCH SVCS, TRAVEL, PHONE, SPLS 22,397.03; DALY, ANGELA SLP CONTRACTED SERVICES 19,280.00; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC. MAY RUG USE 83.80; HEALTH EQUITY HSA/FLEX 61.46; ITC TELECOM PHONE SERVICES 386.83; JOY IN BEING REGIS 1,125.00; KSB SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL MATTERS 260.82; LATHER, CHRISTOPHER PROFESSIONAL SUPERVISION 1,053.97; MARSHALL CO. HEALTHCARE CENTER OT/PT SERVICES 1,886.16; MILLER, DANA MAY 2026 REIMB MI 112.56; SANFORD WEBSTER MEDICAL CENTER OT SERVICES 6,292.26; SCOTTING HEATING & COOLING LLC FURNANCE MAINT 679.04; SHEEHAN, JEFF LAWN CARE 36.80; TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC TIME CLOCK 172.86; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC MINUTES 81.09
FUND TOTAL: $65,835.62
Discussion Items
Assistant Director Report
Assistant Director Frewing reported that NESC will be using the Courseware program instead of Apex next school year.
Director Report
Director Nelson gave an update on the Business Manager transition. Director Nelson also discussed technology support and a new website platform.
Board of Advisor’s Report
No Board of Advisors meeting in June.
Article III (Leave Policy, Other Classified Staff)
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes to policy language.
Article VI (Drug and Alcohol Policy)
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Article XIV (Business Credit Card Policy)
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Article XVI (Non-Fixed Asset Inventory)
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
NESC Comprehensive Plan
Director Nelson presented NESC’s Comprehensive Plan, having no changes from last year.
Annual Approval of NESC as a Cooperative by the Department of Education
Director Nelson gave an update that the Department of Education approved the NESC as a Cooperative.
Rental of NESC “Storage room/Band room”
The Board of Directors had a discussion on renting the storage/band room to a prospective tenant and determined that they are not interested in pursuing a lease agreement at this time.
NESC Board Meeting Dates for 2026-2027
The Board of Directors discussed the dates of the NESC’s meetings.
Use of an electronic signature for Hunter Lee on checks
The Board of Directors had a discussed whether Hunter Lee could print his signature on checks.
Executive Session
Action #26-80 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 W. Gubrud, seconded by L. Ortberg, to enter executive session at 7:46 P.M. All present voting in favor, motion carried unanimously.
President Schuurman declared the board out of executive session at 8:08 P.M.
Action Items
Approval of Article III (Leave Policy, Other Classified Staff)
Action #26-81 Motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by A. Rider, to approve new policy language. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Article VI (Drug and Alcohol Policy)
Action #26-82 Motion by D. Leclair, seconded by L. Ortberg, to approve new policy language. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Article XIV (Business Credit Card Policy)
Action #26-83 Motion by J. Trygstad, seconded by N. Fosheim, to approve new policy language. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Article XVI (Non-Fixed Asset Inventory)
Action #26-84 Motion by S. Roth, seconded by A. Nielsen, to approve new policy language. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
NESC Comprehensive Plan
Action #26-85 Motion by W. Gubrud, seconded by A. Otten, to approve NESC comprehensive plan. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Surplus Inventory
Action #26-86 Motion by L. Ortberg, seconded by D. Leclair, to declare indicated inventory items as having zero value or being old, outdated or broken. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Approval of the use of the electronic signature of Hunter Lee on checks
Action #26-87 Motion by P. Thyen, seconded by S. Roth, to approve Hunter Lee’s electronic signature for printing checks. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Action #26-88 With there being no further business, motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by J. Trygstad, to adjourn. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
The next meeting will be held on July 20th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at LATC.
/s/Arend Schuurman, President
/s/Hunter Lee, Business Manager
Published once on July 2, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $95.42 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.