By Watertown Current - April 23, 2026 in OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT #14-1
515 Main Ave.
Florence, SD 57235
Chair Rislov called the April 9, 2026 meeting of the Florence School District #14-1 board of education to order at 7:01 pm. Other board members in attendance were Bach, Kahnke, and Maag. Hlavacek arrived at 7:18. Others present were Travis Schmidt (MS/HS Princ & AD), and M. Reed (Supt & Elem Princ). S. Sumner (Business Manager). The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was in attendance.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
No conflicts of interest were announced.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to approve the March 12th regular minutes and the April 1st special meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to approve the following unaudited financial reports. Motion carried. REVENUE RECEIVED DURING MARCH 2026: Local Sources – General 22,608.53; Capital Outlay 30,846.68; Sped 18,602.88; Bond Redemption 13,422.00; Food Serv 10,929.10; DRED 4200.00. County Sources – General 1,498.28. State Sources – General 222,596.00; Sped 20,531.00. Federal Sources – Food Serv 8,805.88. CASH BALANCES MARCH 2026: General 738,301.48; Cap Out 266,177.12; Sped (95,343.51); Bond Redemption 68,535.34; Cap Projects (66,225.00); Food Serv 22,382.25; Dr. Ed. 12,711.15.
No Student Council report this month.
No questions on the School Board Forum this month.
Mr. Reed, Supt/Elem principal, reported that each class will be taking an individual field trip this year rather than the entire elementary going together for their final push of reading. He reviewed his plans for the Flex Day scheduled for Monday, May 4th. Smarter Balance testing has gone well and is close to completion. The sports co-op meeting later this spring, early summer will again be held as a committee meeting. He extended congratulations to the following students as Principals for a Day: Lilah Ficek, Lillian Hayes, Beckett Hendrickson, Illijah Lacour and Ashton Sell; and to the Scholars of the Month: Bowen Bach, Ken Hernandez, Everlie Aslesen, Camryn Tschakert, Ella Cease, Illijah Lacour, Knox Reis, Rolo Salgado, Hayden Stevens and Kendyl Tuttle.
Mr. Schmidt, MS/HS principal & AD, reported that awards night and baccalaureate will be Wednesday, May 13th with graduation on Sunday, May 17th. Prom is Saturday, April 18th. Other activities happening are Agri-Science Fair, MS OI, MS/HS Spring Play, HS Spring Concert along with track, golf, and softball. He stated that Mr. Gutzmer, Mrs. Aslesen, and he are taking the CSTAG (Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines) training. He congratulated the region science fair contestants and the award recipients as there were many, with special recognition to Keaton Zubke as he qualified for the International Science Fair in Phoenix, AZ mid-May! Much success was attained at State NHD also with congratulations to Mia Jaeger for winning a berth at Nat’l NHD in Washington, DC this summer.
Florence has approximately 35 students registered for NTHS this coming fall, which is a record number.
NESC agenda items were reviewed.
A pre-construction meeting for the 2-classroom addition is scheduled for Friday, April 24th.
Supt. Reed reported that he plans to pursue a grant to assist with the needed Country School Museum repairs. He also stated that the security cameras will be upgraded, concrete work on the north side of the elementary, the purchase of additional active panels and the development of a new Open Gym policy will be addressed early summer.
A Falcon wrap was installed on the white mini bus.
Supt. Reed reviewed the open positions for next year which include HS English, Title I, elementary classroom reduction instructor and the second section of 2nd grade.
Anticipated enrollment was reviewed.
Budget projections for next year were reviewed.
A first reading of an early graduation policy was reviewed and discussed. Full language is on file in the business office and linked to the webpage.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to approve payment of the bills presented. Motion carried. Active Heating – supp 816.21; Agwrx – supp 396.90; BHSSC – tuition 1380.00; CBP – CPC & lease pmts 1612.56; Co-op Architecture – serv 4415.00; Creative Rewards – awards 367.00; Custom Excavation – long jump pit 1402.33; CWD – FS food & supp 5992.28; Elite Sewer & Cleaning – serv 279.50; Endres Construction – snow removal 800.00; Family First Homecare of SD – serv 2674.56; Florence Post Office – annual box rent 126.00; Florence Sewer & Water – 460.90; G&R Controls – serv 101.29; Hauff Mid-America – track uniforms 5767.50 & javelins (4) 1052.32; Hillyards – supp 65.88; J. Hintz – milg 166.01; B. Huppler – conf reg reimb 120.00; ITC – 159.25; JW Pepper – supp 362.79; Lindner Music – serv 50.00; Menards- supp 817.89; NeedleWorks Sewing Center – repair 139.00; NESC – assessment 10910.51 & Center Base tuition 6427.73; NSU – tuition 451.08; Northwestern Energy – 7276.17; Octane Ink – mini bus wrap 6600.00; Olson’s Pest Technicians – serv 275.00; Parent – milg 112.00; Quick Care – DOT physicals (3) 255.00; M. Reed – reimb 30.00; B. Reiter – reimb 35.00; W. Roe – conf reg reimb 90.00; Safe-n-Secure – supp 9.13; Sheyenne Transport – bus serv 3134.30; Sioux Valley Co-op – diesel, LP & gas 18024.81; Sioux Valley School – share of GBB region loss 41.67; Two Trees Technologies – subsc 48.00; US Bank – bond interest 23860.00; Value Up – presenter 1000.00; Watertown Current – publications 137.28; Wilmot School – presentation 90.00; D. Bloom – sub teach 57.32; K. Boyum – bus activity trips 216.25; C. Flemming – prom advisor 1149.28; S. Flisrand – office 270.19; K. Haisch – sub teach 205.49; Aubrey Hartley – sub teach 116.40; J. Hintz – bus activity trips 149.30; M. Hintz – bus activity trip 62.80; K. Hulscher – sub teach 108.15; D. Kahnke – sub bus 97.35; J. Kahnke – sub teach 349.20; H. Kerklvliet – sub teach 58.20; M. Klitzke – sub bus 20.00; D. Lund – sub bus 129.80; E. Mack – sub bus 162.25; S. Nelsen – sub teach 374.20; A. Raeder – sub teach 628.56; J. Raymer – kitchen 360.00 & sub teach 721.36; M. Rossow – 687.60; N. Russell – sub bus 194.70; R. Shaefer-Goens 807.89; T. Schmidt – bus activity trips 86.50; C. Schwinger – sub teach 2093.72; J. Tschakert – JH GBB coach 2983.00; Markie Kohlenberg – apprenticeship program 240.50; Emery Schamber – apprenticeship program 263.25; J. Cariveau – custodial 2228.94; S. Hulford – custodial 2074.16; K. Kitto – 2873.61; Instructional Salaries 136,934.75; Supportive Salaries 47,827.04; Food Serv Salaries 4,169.64; AFLAC – insurance withholdings 2,2331.77; Avanti Federal Credit Union – withholding 350.00; AXA Equitable – annuities 40.00; Delta Dental – group dental insurance 3,294.18; IRS – FIT & FICA withholding 42,730.15; NPIP – group medical, vision and HSA accts & fees 38,125.80; SDRS – contributions 22,893.02; SD Supplemental Retirement – contributions 3,700.00; Standard – life ins. 171.73.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to approve an Administrative Waiver for Algebra I taught in 8th grade to count as a HS credit. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve a promissory note in the amount of $120,000 from the General Fund to the Special Ed Fund at a stated rate of 0% interest. The funds will be paid back to the General Fund as revenues permit, but not later than June 30, 2026. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to approve membership in the SDHSAA for 2026-27. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve the 2026-27 Negotiated Agreement. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to issue contracts to returning certified staff. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve the signed employment agreement of Tony Fuller as bus driver in the amount of $24.99/hour. He will drive both the morning and afternoon routes. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Maag to accept the letters of resignation from Hailie Bierschbach, Dawn Gross, and Tyra Ronke. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to approve a resolution of thanks to Dawn Gross for her 28 years of service to the Florence School and wish her much happiness in her retirement. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Kahnke to approve the presented open enrollment application. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to enter into executive session at 9:26 pm for SDCL 1-25-2.4 (negotiations). Motion carried.
Chair Rislov declared the board out of executive session at 10:20 pm.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to adjourn at 10:20 pm. Motion carried.
Cory Rislov, Chair
Sherri Sumner, Business Manager
Published once on April 23, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $84.76 and can be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.