BROOKINGS – The Brookings School Board authorized district administration at its Jan. 10 meeting to obtain request for proposals for a construction management-at-risk (CMAR) delivery method for the upcoming Hillcrest and Medary Elementary School projects. 

CMAR is different than the traditional design-bid-build delivery method because it utilizes an individual to oversee all aspects of the project. CMAR is more expensive than design-bid-build, but it gives the district one, singular price tag that will not inflate due to unforeseen issues that may arise.

The district will now begin the process of choosing a construction manager to oversee the projects. 

Alternative option update

The alternative high school option discussed by the school administration team back in November is quickly becoming a reality. The alternative option has a name, The Bobcat Plains Academy at the Club, and a location, the Teen Center at the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings. As of right now, the academy has one coordinating teacher hired and is in the process of finding a second one.

The tentative plan is start with students on Monday, Jan. 31, high school Principal Paul von Fischer wrote in his administrative report. 

“There is much to do between now and then as we schedule visits to area alternative schools and work on creating rules and processes that benefit students and create a positive culture,” von Fischer wrote. “BHS staff have been surveyed regarding students they feel could benefit from an alternative learning environment and our BPA and admin team have discussed the process of qualifying for the alternative opportunity.”

Contracts extended

The board unanimously approved one-year contract extensions for all administrative positions in the district. The administration positions that were extended were all principals and assistant principals, the director of transportation, director of business services, director of special services, director of technology, director of child nutrition, and director of curriculum. 

The board also moved to extend Superintendent Klint Willert’s contract for the 2023-24 school year with a further option to extend it for the 2024-25 school year. 

Standardized testing

In the Dakota Prairie and Hillcrest administrative reports, it was mentioned that during December, students from each of the schools participated in NWEA Measures of Academic Success (MAPS) testing.

“The information from these assessments assist staff members in grouping and regrouping students to form response intervention groups,” Hillcrest Principal Brad Olinger wrote. “The results from these assessments also inform teachers on student growth from the beginning to the middle of the year in both reading and math. The MAPS assessment data is one piece of data staff members utilize to gain an understanding of their students’ learning.”

Camelot was slated to begin its MAPS testing shortly, Principal Kevin Lein wrote in his administrative report.

“Without the formal South Dakota assessments, we look forward to some real-time data to indicate student growth with valid assessments,” Lein wrote. 

“I will meet with each classroom teacher to learn about the various reports and information you can get from these assessments,” Dakota Prairie Principal Sarah Weber wrote in her administrative report. “Using this information supports the teacher in scaffolding and differentiating. It also identifies whether you need to reinforce learning, develop it, or introduce new material so our learners can be appropriately challenged.”

“I really appreciated all the principals’ reports about MAPS testing because it seems like in every school they are utilizing that data to move our students forward,” School Board member Keli Books said. “They are digging into it and using it.”

Books further asked if the district had to participate in standardized testing (through the state). 

“I look at a week of our little people’s time and our big people’s time and (Director of Technology Jason Smit’s) time and every teacher’s time and (Director of Curriculum Michelle Vande Weerd’s) time this year, and I just cannot in my brain validate spending over a week doing standardized testing for our children this year,” Books said. “When we have looked through everything that we have gone through with COVID, kids that have been quarantined and missed instruction and missed time, … and so I don’t know if we have asked the correct question, but can this school board do something to opt out of standardized testing this year, and what would that mean for us?”

Books said that she doesn’t see any financial ties in the budget related to standardized testing and “I think we just need to say we are not doing it this year.”

According to Ruth Raveling, information specialist for the South Dakota Department of Education, state assessments are required by South Dakota Codified Law 13-3-55, and the Department of Education does not have the authority to waive state law.

“Should a district choose to opt out of the statewide assessment, they could face several severe repercussions, up to and including loss of state accreditation, loss of state and federal funding, a case against the superintendent for a violation of the code of ethics, possible loss of certification, and a lawsuit against the district for breach of contract,” Raveling wrote in an email to the Register. 

The next school board meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Dakota Prairie Elementary Community Room. 

Contact Addison DeHaven at adehaven@brookingsregister.com.