By Watertown Current - June 25, 2026 in OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT #14-1
515 Main Ave.
Florence, SD 57235
Chair Rislov called the June 8, 2026 meeting of the Florence School District #14-1 board of education to order at 7:00pm. Other board members in attendance were Bach, Hlavacek, Kahnke, and Maag. Maag had to leave at 7:45 pm. 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 with an addition of acceptance of a letter of resignation to follow 5.6 approval of administrative contracts. Motion carried.
No conflicts of interest were announced.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to approve the May meeting minutes. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to approve the following unaudited financial reports. Motion carried. REVENUE RECEIVED DURING MAY 2026: Local Sources – General 139,231.08; Capital Outlay 198,299.58; Sped 113,464.23; Bond Redemption 85,392.66; Food Serv 10,436.82; DRED 1,150.00. County Sources – General 1,587.89. State Sources – General 222,596.00; Sped 206,129.00. Federal Sources – Food Serv 10,612.00. CASH BALANCES MAY 2026: General 703,515.60; Cap Out 447,778.10; Sped 264,924.54; Bond Redemption 140,180.30; Cap Projects 1,326,822.14; Food Serv 32,300.28; Dr. Ed. 16,511.15.
No Student Council report this month.
No questions on the School Board Forum this month.
Mr. Reed, Supt/Elem principal, reported on end-of-year including graduation and baccalaureate; staff check-out and how it correlates with improvement plans; FCA will be attending a Fargo Redhawks game August 1st; summer work on board policies; year-end sign-off with DOE; and lastly Miss Snoddy’s work with students diagnosed with Dyslexia.
Mr. Schmidt, MS/HS principal & AD, reported on graduation and baccalaureate; staff and student check-out; Drivers Ed; improvements ideas on the cell phone policy, detention, and Saturday school for next year; fall schedules are mostly entered; the girls advanced to state Softball but had tough breaks throughout but gained great experience and represented the school well; congratulations to all state track participants but with specific congratulations to Dawson Hlavacek who placed 8th in the Triple Jump. Golf finished their season just short of state qualifying. Summer Strength and Conditioning program has already started.
NTHS points of interest are finalizing Perkins data and attempts to access an easier path to attain credentials for CTE staff.
NESC comprehensive sped plan was reviewed, and it was noted that Florence received all $185,598 that was requested through Extraordinary Cost Fund.
Supt. Reed reported that he had received word that the Stevens property will likely be up for sale soon; the footings are complete on the 2-room classroom addition; he is attaining additional quotes for the repairs needed at the Country School Museum; and lastly that other repairs and updates will be happening soon.
Supt. Reed presented Julie Hintz’s year-end bus fleet/inventory report.
Supt. Reed reviewed the goals for the past three years asking for direction in setting the next three year’s. He had a handout asking the board and admin to rank some areas to focus on. New goals will then be presented in August.
Supt. Reed reviewed the new hires and what they will be teaching.
Supt. Reed along with MS/HS Principal & AD Schmidt stated that both the HS and JH Volleyball coaching positions are yet to be filled. Schmidt also stated that the school will be using Big Stone Therapy for its physical therapy services next year so as to have more availability.
Preliminary Budget in relationship to expected enrollment was reviewed.
Supt. Reed stated that admin is working on an open gym/entry into the building policy to implement by the start of school.
Smarter Balanced and NWEA MAPS testing results were reviewed and discussed.
Motion by Maag, second by Kahnke to approve payment of the bills presented. Motion carried. 3D Services – supp 217.50; Best Western (Aberdeen) – state SB rooms 4697.71; Best Western (SF) – state track rooms 805.00; H. Bierschbach – supp 19.12; BHSSC – tuition 1380.00; CBP – CPC & lease pmt 1599.64; Churchill, Manolis, Freeman, Kludt & Burns, LLP – legal counsel 351.95; Clark School – track meet reg 372.47; Co-op Architects – serv 2522.86; Creative Rewards – awards 1316.00; Doug’s Auto – serv terrain 230.48; Florence School Trust & Agency – umps, supp, registrations, gas 4814.79; Florence Sewer & Water 413.40; George’s Sanitation 255.00; Great Minds – texts 186.15; D. Gross – supp 86.79; Hillyards – supp 5174.70; ITC – 169.69; Keller LawnCare – Apr & May mowings 765.00; H. Kranz – supp 59.58; McGraw-Hill – texts 1568.72; Menards – supp 354.25; NESC – assessment 10910.51 & CB tuition 3563.77; Northwestern Electricity – 5509.71; Office Peeps – supp 29.54; Quick Care – DOT physical 85.00; SDHSAA – rules books 200.00; Sentry – construction pmt 55084.29; Sheyenne Transport – bus serv 438.85; Sioux Valley Co-op – diesel & gas 3860.30; S. Sumner – supp 179.95; Titan Machinery – bus serv 450.64; Ventris Learning – texts 602.00; Watertown Current – publications 85.02; Watertown Lawn & Garden – parts 68.00; T. Grassel – 2nd ½ summer tech 3962.25; H. Bierschbach – elem student council advisor 262.65; K. Boyum – 2nd ½ yearbook advisor 1295.68, 2nd ½ interventionist 1500.00, head student council advisor 1136.56, MS OI advisor 1369.55, and activity bus trips 86.50; S. Busskohl – 2nd ½ head track coach 1442.00; J. Caulfield – asst. softball coach 1827.00; J. Eisenbraun – MS/HS asst student council advisor 542.81 and NHD advisor 358.25; C. Flemming – 2nd ½ concessions advisor 1085.18; S. Flisrand – office & kitchen help 736.88; D. Harmel – sub teach 217.67; A. Hartley – sub teach 116.40; J. Hintz – 2nd ½ bus supervisor 3753.50 and activity bus trip 43.25; T. Huppler – MS & HS science fair advisor 744.38; L. Jacobson – custodial 60.00; T. Jacobson – JH golf 1315.00; Grace Kahnke – sub teach 575.02; D. Keller – sub teach 96.61; Ashelyn Klitzke – sub teach 108.15; M. Klitzke – sub bus 60.00, music activities 492.00, spring play advisor 2192.37, and NHS advisor 277.52; J. Lanke – ProStart advisor 563.92; D. Lund – sub bus & activity bus trip 140.60; E. Mack – sub bus 32.45; S. Nelsen – sub teach 356.90; A. Raeder – sub teach 450.47; P. Raeder – sub teach 116.40; J. Raymer – sub teach 338.51 & kitchen help 210.00; M. Reed – FBLA advisor 302.20; B. Reiter – head softball coach 2884.00; T. Ronke – Sr. class advisor 281.96; M. Rossow – sub kitchen 288.00; N. Russell – Live Ticket operator 1200.00; R. Goens – sub teach 1181.97; T. Schmidt – activity bus trips 86.50; C. Schwinger – sub teach 1404.57; T. Shepherd – activity bus trips 215.88; M. Snoddy – Dyslexia training 750.00; T. Fuller – bus route & bus activity trips 1299.13; A. Koll – JH track 1827.00, FFA advisor 2110.92, sub bus & activity bus trips 313.60; P. Paulson – sub bus & bus activity trips 1286.08; J. Shaffner – school nurse 1560.00; Markie Kohlenberg – apprenticeship program 81.25; Emery Schamber – apprenticeship program 87.75; J. Cariveau – custodial 2238.08; S. Hulford – custodial 1942.84; K. Kitto – custodial 2805.62; Instructional Salaries 136,934.75; Supportive Salaries 47,827.04; Food Serv Salaries 4,169.64; AFLAC – insurance withholdings 2,331.17; Avanti Federal Credit Union – withholding 350.00; AXA Equitable – annuities 40.00; Delta Dental – group dental insurance 3,495.60; IRS – FIT & FICA withholding 43,410.53; NPIP – group medical, vision and HSA accts & fees 38,343.40; SDRS – contributions 27,201.66; SD Supplemental Retirement – contributions 3,700.00; Standard – life ins. 133.23.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to approve the addition of competitive cheer to the line-up of sports activities within the Florence-Henry co-op. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to repay the General Fund loan to SPED in the amount of $120,000. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Hlavacek to approve NESC’s Special Ed Comprehensive Plan. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to accept the returned signed employment agreements of Dawn Bistodeau, Katrina Boyum (bus), Chris Cariveau, Jeff Cariveau, Melissa Comes, Carie Flemming, Tony Fuller, Amanda Gross, Julie Hintz, Mike Hintz, Michelle Huffman, Arsenia Hulford, Laura Jacobson, Kelli Kitto, Laurie Maag, Kendra Mastel, Kellie McClure, Deb Peterson, Janel Raymer, Nathan Russell (bus), Lacey Sell, Tasha Shepherd, Alexis Schilling, and Sandy Zubke. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to accept the signed administrative contracts of Mitch Reed, Travis Schmidt and Sherri Sumner. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to accept the resignation of Tammra Kaas as certified staff/HS English Teacher with liquidated damages in the amount of $2000 imposed. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Kahnke to approve the presented list of items as surplus property to the district. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Kahnke to approve the presented open enrollment applications. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Hlavacek to set the 2026-27 budget hearing date for Monday, July 13th at 6:30 pm with the annual meeting to follow. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to enter into executive session at 9:52 pm for SDCL 1-25-2.4 (negotiations). Motion carried.
Chair Rislov declared the board out of executive session at 11:08 pm.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to adjourn at 11:08 pm. Motion carried.
Cory Rislov, Chair
Sherri Sumner, Business Manager
Published once on June 25, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $94.38 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.