By Watertown Current - December 25, 2025 in OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS – BOARD OF EDUCATION
FLORENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT #14-1
DECEMBER 8, 2025
Chair Rislov called the December 8, 2025 meeting of the Florence School District #14-1 board of education to order at 7:00 pm. Other board members in attendance were Bach, Hlavacek, Kahnke, and Maag. Others present were Travis Schmidt (MS/HS Princ), and M. Reed (Supt). S. Sumner (Business Manager) was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. A quorum was in attendance.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Maag to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
No conflicts of interest were announced.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to approve the minutes of the regular November 10th board meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Kahnke to approve the following unaudited financial reports. Motion carried. REVENUE RECEIVED DURING NOVEMBER 2025: Local Sources – General 121,773.23; Capital Outlay 186,155.18; Sped 102,831.41; Bond Redemption 81,821.64; Food Serv 18003.41; DRED -0-. County Sources – General 1,288.23. State Sources – General 242,248.00; Sped 21,832.00. Federal Sources – Food Serv 10,649.26. CASH BALANCES NOVEMBER 2025: General 756,814.54; Cap Out 215,239.86; Sped 40,854.22; Bond Redemption 27,142.01; Food Serv 19,774.23; Dr. Ed. 8,718.56.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Kahnke to approve a resolution of thanks to Jesse Severson of Hungry Hearts of Tea, SD in conjunction with the Bradley Fire Dept. for their generous donation to assist families in need with their lunch bills. Motion carried.
No Student Council report was given.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent School Board Forum. Key questions focused on open enrollment, class sizes, and how we can better support and challenge our advanced learners. A full Q&A is available on our website for anyone who would like to dive deeper into the discussion.
Mr. Reed, Supt/Elem principal, reported that the Florence School’s display at Winter Wonderland at Stokes-Thomas Park is set up, the spelling bee will be December 10th, he is implementing a new system through Infinite Campus for messaging parents, students and staff in inclement weather and other instances, district booklets are at the print shop, last day of school before Christmas break is Friday, December 19th, teachers return for inservice on Friday, December 2nd with students returning Monday, December 5th. There are no scholars of the month nor principals of the month in December.
Mr. Schmidt, MS/HS principal & AD, reviewed all our new offerings such as dual credit classes, on-line classes, and homeschool and how policies on attendance and recognition such as student of the quarter, valedictorian & salutatorian, freshman cup, Governor’s Top 1%, DAR representative, and American Legion just to name few, in addition to last month’s discussion on participation in the graduation ceremony fall into play with those students. Discussion ensued. Supt. Reed will be reaching out to area schools as to how they are adapting. Mr. Schmidt stated that students were inducted into the National Honor Society last Monday, juniors had taken ASVAB testing, interested juniors and seniors were able to take an ACT test prep course at today’s Flex Day, 6th grade will meet a book author at the Redlin Art Center this week, the student council has put some great activities together for the last day before Christmas break, that the Christmas concert was well attended and winter sports are underway.
NTHS and NESC points of interest were reviewed.
Supt. Reed reported that the outdoor freezer will be set next week, the glycol in the geothermal system was filled, and that three more motors have went out on the classroom air exchange units.
Supt. Reed stated that he inquired with Sheyenne Transport and Duenwald Transportation on the possibility of leasing a used minibus. We also have someone interested in getting their CDL w/passenger endorsement.
Supt. Reed reviewed the Governor’s address on education funding at zero increase. The legislators seem to be somewhat optimistic that there will be some funding available.
Supt. Reed reviewed the new two-classroom addition proposal in respect to the projected enrollment. Given the timing of such project and likelihood of delayed building materials, he proposed an option of waiting 6 months which would align with next fall and firm enrollment numbers. A decision will be made at the January 2026 meeting.
Motion by Kahnke second by Hlavacek to approve payment of the bills presented. Motion carried. American Printing House – supp 117.59; Black Hills Special Services Co-op – tuition 2100.00; Tyler Borns – coaching tests reimb 70.00; K. Boyum – supp 85.06; Bright Path Educational Consulting – serv 400.00; C&R Fire Suppression – annual serv 600.25; CBP – CPC & copier lease pmts 1731.59; Churchill, Manolis, Freeman, Kludt & Burns – serv 999.10; Co-op Architecture – 90% of Master Plan fee 17550.00; Colliers Securities – cont disclosure fee 300.00; Creative Rewards & Specialties – supp 607.00; Custom Excavation – outdoor freezer ground prep 962.25; CWD – FS food 5910.27 & supp 75.86; Endres Construction – snow removal 800.00; Family 1st Homecare of SD – serv 4580.52; Florence School Trust & Agency – supp, regs, tourn reg, texts, travel 4176.57; Florence Water & Sewer – 411.50 & CTE (since 5/24) 517.23; Gannett SD Local – publications 162.88; Hillyards – supp 2562.53; B. Huppler – coaching test reimb 35.00; T. Hyatt – milg 672.00; Infinite Campus – messenger 2538.63; ITC – 173.02; Jaymar Business Forms – supp 141.27; JW Pepper – supp 87.50; KPHR Big Stone Broadcasting – holiday greetings 170.00; KSB School Law – serv 100.00; Menards – supp 224.33; MRG Hauff – supp 569.50; NESC – assessment 10910.51 & CB tuition 6427.73; Northwestern Energy – 5785.45; Miranda Obaniana – coaching tests reimb 70.00; Pomp’s Tire Serv – serv 107.00; ProVision – bus camera 1145.99; RAS – add’l WC ins. 1692.00; W. Roe – coach’s assoc fees 95.38; Safe-N-Secure – supp 63.91; S Dept of Ed-CANS – processed commodities 2539.78; Sheyenne Transport – serv 4137.20; Sioux Valley Co-op – LP, diesel, gas 5590.04; TW Construction – glycol 13520.43; Two Trees Technologies – serv 450.00; Watertown Current – publications 123.76; City of Watertown – ambulance standby (2) 900.00; Watertown Ford Chrysler – serv 207.41; board mtg stipends: K. Roe-260.00 (2), C. Rislov-1040.00 (8), Caitlin Bach-910.00 (7), D. Hlavacek-1040.00 (8), J. Kahnke-910.00 (7), S. Maag-1040.00 (8); T. Aslesen-sub teach 1927.47; K. Boyum – ½ yrbk advisor 1295.68, ½ interventionist 1500.00, HS OI coach 2102.64, & activity bus trip 43.25; C. Flemming – ½ concessions advisor 1085.18; S. Flisrand – office & kitchen help 417.56; D. Harmel – sub teach 512.16; J. Hintz – ½ bus supervisor stipend 3753.50 & activity bus trip 90.28; J. Kahnke – sub teach 274.70; D. Keller – sub teach 193.22; Thomas Labrie – sub teach 232.80; D. Lund – sub bus 162.25; E. Mack – sub bus 64.90; S. Nelsen – sub teach 515.88; J. Raymer – sub teach & kitchen server 290.87; S. Rislov – sub teach 324.45; M. Rossow – sub kitchen 61.20; C. Schwinger – sub teach 324.45; T. Shepherd – activity bus trip 137.38; A. Walburg – sub teach 108.15; Markie Kohlenberg – apprenticeship program hrs 247.00; Emery Schamber – apprenticeship program hrs 107.25; A. Koll – bus & activity bus trip 1573.32; P. Paulson – bus & activity bus trip 1169.06; J. Cariveau – custodial 2297.45; S. Hulford – custodial 2170.73; K. Kitto – custodial 2769.36; Instructional Salaries 135,742.43; Supportive Salaries 40,839.19; Food Serv Salaries 4,169.64; AFLAC – insurance withholdings 2,305.37; Avanti Federal Credit Union – withholding 350.00; AXA Equitable – annuities 40.00; Delta Dental – group dental insurance 3,294.18; IRS – FIT & FICA withholding 44,381.98; NPIP – group medical, vision and HSA accts & fees 38611.28; SDRS – contributions 23,805.40; SD Supplemental Retirement – contributions 3,700.00; Standard – life ins. 170.53.
Motion by Maag, second by Bach to approve the signed classified staff employment agreement of Janel Raymner in the amount of $15.00/hr as kitchen server. Motion carried.
Motion by Bach, second by Kahnke to approve the signed coaching contracts of Jeff Tschakert as JH GBB coach and Jake Bach as JH BBB coach each in the amount of $2983. Motion carried.
Motion by Hlavacek, second by Bach to accept the letter of resignation from Katrina Boyum as yearbook advisor. Motion carried.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to approve the presented open enrollment applications. Motion carried.
Motion by Kahnke, second by Bach to enter into executive session at 9:26 pm for SDCL 1-25-2.2 (student matter) and SDCL 1-25-2.1 (personnel). Motion carried.
Chair Rislov declared the board out of executive session at 9:40 pm.
Motion by Maag, second by Hlavacek to adjourn at 9:40 pm. Motion carried.
Sherri Sumner, Business Manager
Cory Rislov, Chair
Published once on December 25, 2025 at a total approximate cost of $89.44 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.watertowncurrent.com.