Mitchell Middle School handbook up for review Monday

MITCHELL — The Mitchell Board of Education will take a look at potential changes coming to the Mitchell Middle School handbook when it convenes for its next meeting Monday night.

The meeting, which will be held in Room 10 at the Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy, is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m.

According to the agenda for the meeting, the board will review recommended changes to the handbook, including sections to the middle school attendance language and revisions and updates to the section on electronic devices.

Those recommended changes include procedures for students missing school and how the school responds to absences. The new policies would change such responses to sending a letter to notify families of attendance concerns after a student records five absences and a second letter is to be sent after eight absences. A final letter will be sent after 13 absences, and at 16 absences a school resource officer will be notified and a truancy petition may be filed with the state’s attorney.

Another change states that attendance will be counted on a school calendar year basis from August to May as opposed to being counted on a semester basis as is current policy.

For the section on electronic devices, two paragraphs have been struck and six new paragraphs added to replace them. Among the policies is a requirement for students to seek permission before making calls or texts, a recommendation to use corded earbuds during the day and a restriction from using laser lights and other nuisance items that are not allowed in the building.

Details on the policy changes can be found in the April 14 meeting agenda.

Also at the meeting, the board is expected to consider the following personnel moves:

• The new certified hires of Brent Olson, high school physical education teacher and assistant football coach, $59,500 teaching compensation, $5,203 coaching compensation; Miranda Hanson, 6th ELA and science teacher at Mitchell Middle School, $52,800.00; Khasidy Hodge, 7th and 8th grade ELA teacher, $52,800; Victoria O’Connor, social studies teacher at Mitchell High School and assistant speech/debate coach, $52,800 teaching compensation and $4,488 coaching compensation; Benjamin Ziebarth, social studies teacher at Mitchell High School, $52,800; Tiffany Alberston, SLPA for Mitchell School District, $47,000; Ben Harms, 7th social studies and study skills at Mitchell Middle School, $52,800; Cole Siegfried, personal health and wellness at Mitchell Middle School, $53,100; Carter Koons, science teacher at Mitchell Middle School, $53,100 and Sidney Muckey, 4th grade teacher at L.B. Williams Elementary School, $55,100. All hires are effective for the 2025-26 school year.
• The transfer of Baker Haar, 7th social studies at Mitchell Middle School to Second Chance social studies teacher at Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy, effective 2025-26 school year.
• The resignations of Jordan McKean, PH/W teacher at Mitchell Middle School, 7th grade football coach and assistant varsity track coach, effective end of the 2024-25 school year Kent VanOverschelde, social studies teacher at Mitchell High School, effective end of the 2024-25 school year; Karen Ivey, paraeducator at Mitchell High School, effective April 8; Savannah Schmidt, 3rd grade teacher at L.B. Williams Elementary School, effective end of the 2024-25 school year; Joel Van Puersem, middle school jazz band and high school pep band, effective end of the 2024-25 school year; Ryan Stahle, head marching band and high school pep band, effective end of the 2024-25 school year; Hannah Wehlander, middle school musical director, effective 2024-25 school year pending suitable replacement; Eric Witte, high school assistant football coach, effective March 17; Alison Day, 6th to 8th MCL science/7th grade science at Mitchell Middle School, effective end of 2024-25 school year; Barb Bauder, 1st/2nd multiage classroom teacher at L.B. Williams Elementary School, effective end of 2024-25 school year; Marty Royston, construction instructor at Mitchell Career and Technical Education Academy and Mitchell High School, effective end of 2024-25 school year; Kaley Withers, kindergarten teacher at Longfellow Elementary School and assistant middle school volleyball coach, effective end of the 2024-25 school year; Samantha Hieb, behavior analyst for Mitchell School District, effective end of 2024-25 school year; Sarah Timmer, curriculum director, effective June 30 and Ryan Pryor, prevention specialist at Mitchell Middle School, effective end of the 2024-25 school year.
• The retirement of Deb Flynn, speech and language therapist, effective end of the 2024-25 school year and Kathy Budahl, 2nd grade teacher at Gertie Belle Rogers Elementary School, effective May 23.
• The new Mitchell Technical College hires of Alison Day, adjunct instructor, PSYC 101 General Psychology, $2,700 - 3 credits, effective summer of 2025, Crystal Freund, adjunct instructor, SOC 105, Social Problems and SPCH 101 Fundamentals of Speech, $5,400 - 6 credits, effective summer of 2025; Matt Pearson, wind turbine technology instructor, $80,100, effective July 1.
• The transfer of Nichole Simmemon, financial aid director from financial aid - assistant director, additional $3,650.02 for the remainder of the contract year (June 30, 2025), effective April 1.
• The Mitchell Technical College resignation of Joel Rassel, diesel power technology instructor, effective May 15.
• The Mitchell Technical College retirements of Shryl Plagmann, project support specialist, effective June 30; Lynee Smith, medical laboratory technology instructor, effective July 31 and Gregg Thibodeau, welding and manufacturing technology instructor, effective May 31.
• The Mitchell Technical College non-renewals of Donna Appletoft, medical assistant instructor, effective July 31; Lee Johnson, natural gas technology instructor, effective July 31 and Amber Krcil, radiologic technology instructor, effective May 31.

Also at the meeting, the board is expected to:

• Hear a presentation on Kernel Club initiatives.
• Consider a resolution to approve the renewal and participation agreement with Associated School Boards of South Dakota for Workman’s Compensation Pool Group for the 2025-26 school year.
• Consider a resolution to approve the renewal and participation agreement with Associated School Boards of South Dakota protective trust for the South Dakota School District Benefits Fund for the 2025-26 school year.
• Consider declaring volleyball surplus items.
• Hear board member reports.
• Hear the superintendent report.
• Hear public commentary.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be livestreamed by the Mitchell Republic on its website.