April-May 2013 - Meade School District

StaffandStudentsIn the SpotlightSelected: Bridger Gordon, a seventh-grader atSturgis Williams Middle School, has been selectedas South Dakota’s top middle level youth volunteerin the 2013 Prudential Spirit of Community Awardsprogram. Bridger will receive a $1,000 award, anengraved silver medallion, and an all-expenses paidtrip to Washington, D.C., on May 4-7 for a series ofnational recognition events.Bridger has also qualified for the President’sVolunteer Service Award, which recognizesAmericans who have volunteered significant amountsof their time to serve their communities and country.During the past four years he has spearheadedseveral environmental initiatives including communitycleanup events with his 4-H Club. He hasorganized a community rummage sale to encouragethe reuse of belongs so they’re not sent to landfillsand hosted a drive that collected nearly 500pairs of worn-out tennis shoes that were thenground up to make other products. Bridger also initiateda can-recycling program at the county fair andhelped launch a recycling program at SWMS.Won: Sturgis Brown High School wrestlingteam placed eighth at this year’s SDHSAA State “A”Wrestling Tournament. Team members includeZane Joens, state runner-up; Brody Jorensen,fourth; Tanner Brengle, seventh; Ryan Wiley, statequalifier; Jesse Skidmore, fifth; Caleb Karrels, statequalifier; Till Olson, state qualifier; Cole Hemmah,state qualifier; Tate McVay, sixth; Payson Dirk, statequalifier; John Wilcox, fifth; and John Wilson, seventh.Coaches are Steve Keszler, JasonSchlichtemeier and David Olson. Student managersare Andrea Collins, Taylar Applegate, Kerry Wilsonand Whitney Werdel.Won: Sturgis Brown High School girls basketballteam placed eighth at this year’s SDHSAAState “AA” Girls Basketball Tournament. Team membersinclude Brooke Ireland, Illianna Shuck, LaurenFowler, Baillie Mutchler, Jenny Bruch, Callie Gabriel,Kenzie Skovlund, Errin Short, Lynsey Prosser, TarynUrbaniak,l Jenna Odle, Lia Meirose, AmadaHeidrich, Kahlie Peterson and Jocelyn Keszler. Headcoach is Mike Friedel. Assistant coaches are ColinMcCampbell and Roxy Murphy. Student managersare Kim O’Conner and Jan Nichols.This year’s legislative funding for K-12 educationWith the 2013 South DakotaLegislative Session completed,Superintendent Don Kirkegaardsummarized the legislative impacton funding of K-12 education. "Thegovernor and legislators have theresponsibility to wisely use the limitedresources in the state, prioritizecertain programs and end up with abalanced budget," he said. "Wealways ask for a little more moneythan we get, but I believe this year'slegislature treated us fairly."The per-student funding allocationwill increase by 3 percent or$135 a student plus there will be anadditional $45 per student in onetime money. According to theSuperintendent, this will be thelargest increase the school districtshave received for several years, butstill does not bring the schools backto the pre-budget cut numbers."When we look at the per-studentallocation or funding increases,we need to remember that thelegislature sets the dollar amountand then the dollars are raisedfrom either local or state taxes,"said Kirkegaard. "With the 3 percentincrease in the per studentallocation, half of the increase willbe raised through local propertytaxes and the other half will bestate dollars."In addition to an increase inthe general fund allocation, specialeducation funding willincrease by 3 percent. An additional$1 million was allocatedstatewide for innovation and technologygrants.The approximate amount ofadditional money to be receivedby Meade School District as aresult of legislative action is$440,000, which includes someone-time money.14 In Touch April-May 2013