By Watertown Current - May 28, 2026 in Northeast Educational Services Cooperative
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, May 18, 2026
The Board of Directors for the Northeast Educational Services Cooperative (NESC) met in regular session on Monday, May 18, 2026, via Zoom and at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD. The meeting was called to order by President Schuurman at 7:06 P.M. and adjourned at 8:03 P.M.
Members Present
In-Person:
Alisha Nielsen, Castlewood; Shane Roth, De Smet; Arend Schuurman, Elkton; Audrey Rider, Henry; Lisa Amdahl, Summit; Penny Thyen, Waverly/South Shore
Zoom:
Megann Murphy, Arlington; Lacey Ortberg, Clark; Tara Abraham, Hamlin; Carrie Schiernbeck, ORR; Diana LeClair, Rosholt; Jayme Trygstad, Sioux Valley; Cory Zirbel, Waubay; Tia Felberg, Willow Lake
Absent:
Heather Landreth, Britton/Hecla; Amy Otten, Deubrook; Wade Gubrud, Deuel; Skyman Redday, Enemy Swim Day School; Trish Schwartz, Estelline; Jon Kahnke, Florence; Greg Bich, Iroquois; Sterling Eschenbaum, Lake Preston; Nick Fosheim, Webster; Jacque Cameron, Wilmot
NESC Staff Representatives: Stephanie Hayunga (Z) (arrived at 7:16), Brenda Boyd (Z), Teresa Landmark (Z), Shelly Skogstad (Z)
Member District Superintendents: Brian Sampson, Arlington (Z); Travis Ahrens, Clark; Todd Obele, Henry
NESC Administration: Anneke Nelson, Director; Tiffany Stormo, Business Manager; Hunter Lee, Business Manager; Tim Frewing, Assistant Director
Other: Bre Schwandt (Z) (Left at 7:47)
Call to Order
President Schuurman called the meeting to order at 7:06 P.M.
Introduction of Guests
Brian Sampson, Travis Ahrens, Bre Schwandt, Stephanie Hayunga, Brenda Boyd, Teresa Landmark, and Shelly Skogstad were introduced as guests.
Agenda Review, Changes, and Approval
Action #26-70 Motion by A. Nielson, seconded by J. Trygstad, to add agenda items 7I (Approve Amy Welsh contract Paraprofessional Webster $21/hr), 7J (Approve Big Stone Therapy contract for OTA coverage), 8I (Update bank signature cards), and 10a (Approve authorized signature cards). 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 #26-71 Motion by S. Roth, seconded by A. Rider, to approve the financial report for the period ending April 30, 2026. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
General Fund Special Education Fund Agency Fund
April 1, 2026 $250,081.58 $961,776.84 $15,739.48
Receipts:
Local Sources $136,174.12 $356,552.04 $2,307.47
State Sources $99,684.57
Federal Sources $173,691.00
Other
Total Monthly Receipts $136,174.12 $629,927.61 $2,307.47
Balance Forward $386,255.70 $1,591,704.45 $18,046.95
Manual Journal Entries
Less Salaries $4,404.69 $451,717.88
Less Disbursements $13,381.91 $174,681.58 $1,739.97
Total Salaries & Disbursements $17,786.60 $626,399.46 $1,739.97
Ending Cash Balance
April 30, 2026 $368,469.10 $965,304.99 $16,306.98
Consent Agenda
Action #26-72 Motion by L. Amdahl, seconded by C. Zirbel to approve Consent Agenda items: 7a) April 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes; 7b) May 2026 Budget Claims; 7c) PD by Optimistic Teaming ($9,045.00); 7d) Morgan Odegaard Resignation; 7e) Mychelle Donelan ESY Contract ($21.50/hr); 7f) Tami Steffensen ESY Contract ($18.00/hr); 7g) Shari Peckenpaugh ESY Contract ($23.00/hr); 7h) Chantel Duerre Contract (.6 at $32,610.00); 7i) Amy Welsh contract for Webster paraprofessional, ($21/hr); 7j) Big Stone Therapy OTA Contract (maternity coverage). Votes: A. Nielsen, Yes; S. Roth, Yes; A. Schuurman, Yes; A. Rider, Yes; L. Amdahl, Yes; P. Thyen, Yes; M. Murphy, No; L. Ortberg, Yes; T. Abraham, Yes; C. Schiernbeck, Yes; D. LeClair, Yes; J. Trygstad, No; C. Zirbel, Yes; T. Felberg, Yes. All present voted; motion failed.
Consent Agenda 2
Action #26-73 Motion by S. Roth, seconded by J. Trygstad to remove 7f) Tami Steffensen ESY Contract ($18.00/hr) and approve Consent Agenda items: 7a) April 20, 2026 Meeting Minutes; 7b) May 2026 Budget Claims; 7c) PD by Optimistic Teaming ($9,045.00); 7d) Morgan Odegaard Resignation; 7e) Mychelle Donelan ESY Contract ($21.50/hr); 7g) Shari Peckenpaugh ESY Contract ($23.00/hr); 7h) Chantel Duerre Contract (.6 at $32,610.00); 7i) Amy Welsh contract for Webster paraprofessional, ($21/hr);; 7j) Big Stone Therapy OTA Contract (maternity coverage). Votes: A. Nielsen, Yes; S. Roth, Yes; A. Schuurman, Yes; A. Rider, Yes; L. Amdahl, Yes; P. Thyen, Yes; M. Murphy, Yes; L. Ortberg, Yes; T. Abraham, No; C. Schiernbeck, Yes; D. LeClair, Yes; J. Trygstad, Yes; C. Zirbel, Yes; T. Felberg, Yes. All present voted, motion carried.
April 2026 Accounts Payable
GENERAL FUND: AUTOMAXX CDJR, INC. FLEET MAINT 805.20; AXESS COOPERATIVE FLEET MAINT 321.08; BINDE, GERALDINE O&M SUPP 0.67; CENEX FLEETCARD FLEET MAINT 8,497.07; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC. APRIL RUG USE 6.70; EINSPHAR AUTO PLAZA INC. FLEET MAINT 312.50; EMC INSURANCE ADD VEH COV 2.40; HAHLER AUTOMOTIVE FLEET MAINT 154.33; HAMLIN COUNTY FARMERS COOP FLEET MAINT 242.15; HEGGELUND, NICOLE ADVANCE STUDY 40.00; HEYNER WELDING INC. FLEET MAINT 204.82; KSB SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL MATTERS 20.16; LEE, HUNTER BACKGROUND CHECK 24.58; MINERT & ASSOCIATES, INC DRUG TESTING 971.00; NESC PAYROLL MAY 2026 4,412.09; ROB’S AUTO REPAIR FLEET MAINT 181.05; SINNER AUTO FLEET MAINT 905.05; SMITH, BARTON FLEET MAINT 669.50; STORMO, TIFFANY REIMB MILEAGE 35.59; TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC TIME CLOCK 2.65; WEBSTER AUTO CARE FLEET MAINT 942.48
GENERAL FUND TOTAL: $18,751.07
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND: BINDE, GERALDINE O&M SUPP 7.66; CASTLEWOOD SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL PLC USE FEE 1,666.17; DUBRO, ANGEL MILEAGE REIMB 48.24; DUST TEX SERVICE, INC. APRIL RUG USE 77.10; EMC INSURANCE ADD VEH COV 27.60; HAMLIN SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL PLC USE FEE 1,562.03; HAYUNGA, STEPHANIE AOTA DUES 234.00; HEGGELUND, NICOLE ADVANCE STUDY 460.00; KSB SCHOOL LAW SCHOOL MATTERS 231.84; LAKE PRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL PLC USE FEE 624.81; LEE, HUNTER BACKGROUND CHECK 282.70; PARENT APRIL 2026 REIMB MILEAGE 152.76; NESC PAYROLL MAY 2026 444,497.22; NELSON, JULIE REIMB MILEAGE 442.87; SD DEPT. OF EDUCATION REIMB ED SPEC 71,157.13; STORMO, TIFFANY REIMB MILEAGE 409.29; TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, INC TIME CLOCK 163.00; WATERTOWN CURRENT LLC MINUTES 95.16; WEBSTER SCHOOL DISTRICT APRIL PLC USE FEE 1,457.90
SPECIAL EDUCATION FUND TOTAL: $523,597.48
Discussion Items
FY 27 Preliminary Budget
Business Manager Stormo provided an update on the FY 27 budget status.
Assistant Director’s Report
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on staffing and additional training for new and current staff.
Director’s Report
Director Nelson gave an update on the new technology improvements for FY 27.
Board of Advisors Report
Director Nelson reviewed the BOA meeting minutes from the May 6, 2026, meeting.
Article III. (Leave policy, Other Classified Staff) – First Reading
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Article VI (Drug and Alcohol Policy) – First Reading
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Article XIV (Business Credit Card Policy) – First Reading
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Article XVI (Non-Fixed Asset Inventory) – First Reading
Assistant Director Frewing updated the board on the proposed changes in policy language.
Update Signature Cards
Chairperson Schuurman discussed removing Tiffany Stormo and adding Hunter Lee to signature cards.
Executive Session
Action #26-74 Pursuant to Negotiations – SDCL 1-25-2(4) Preparing for contract negotiations or negotiating with employees or employee representatives. Motion by S. Roth, seconded by A. Rider, to enter executive session at 7:47 P.M. All present voting in favor, motion carried unanimously.
President Schuurman declared the board out of executive session at 8:01 P.M.
Action Items
Approval to update signature cards
Action #26-75 Motion by L. Amdahl, seconded by S. Roth, to remove Tiffany Stormo and add Hunter Lee to bank signature cards. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Action #26-76 With there being no further business, motion by A. Nielsen, seconded by J. Trygstad, to adjourn. All present voted, motion carried unanimously.
The NESC Building Committee will meet prior to the June Board Meeting at 6pm at LATC or via the virtual link.
The next meeting will be held on June 15th, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. at LATC.
/s/ Arend Schuurman, President
/s/ Hunter Lee, Business Manager
Published once on May 28, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $88.14 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.