Members of the ASBSD Board of Directors met prior to the beginning of the ASBSD-SASD Convention for their August meeting.

 

The meeting was highlighted by celebrating the beginning of new terms and honoring veteran members of the Board of Directors.

 

ASBSD’s gavel was passed to new President Denise Lutkemeier, signifying the beginning of her one-year term. Denise, currently the President of the Wilmot School Board, succeeds Colome School Board Member Pam Haukaas, who assumes the role of Past President.

 

Read more about Denise becoming ASBSD President here.

 

(Denise and Pam pose for a photo during the gavel passing ceremony.)

 

“It’s absolutely been fantastic,” Pam said of her time as president. “It’s been a honor to serve as your president.”

 

(Pam received a Terry Redlin print from ASBSD for her service as president.)

 

Haakon School Board Member Anita Peterson, a member of the ASBSD Board of Directors since 2008, was elected as the Second Vice President. She has been a member of her local board since 1992, is currently the President of the Black Hills Special Services Co-op board, which she has served on for 20 years, and is also a member of the Associated School Boards Protective Trust board.

 

(Anita was elected Second Vice President of the ASBSD Board of Directors.)

 

Eric Stroeder, Mobridge-Pollock School Board Member, assumes the role of First Vice President.

 

The Board of Directors welcomed two new members to the board, as well.

 

Madison Central School Board President Tom Farrell was appointed to the board to represent the association’s Southeast Region member districts in the 700-1,399 enrollment category.

 

A familiar face with ASBSD, Farrell has been a presenter at the ASBSD School Board President Retreat, served as his district’s Legislative Action Network representative for three years and attended numerous training events. He is currently serving his fifth-year on the Madison Central School Board.

 

Sioux Falls School Board Vice President Todd Thoelke joined the board after being elected to the position by his local board. Sioux Falls has one board member represent them on the ASBSD Board of Directors as the sole district in the over 10,000 enrollment category in the Southeast Region.

 

Currently serving his second-year on the Sioux Falls School Board, Thoelke represents his local board on the Insurance, Policy Review and Sioux Falls Sports Authority committees. He is a realtor in Sioux Falls.

 

(Farrell (left) and Thoelke attended their first meeting as members of the ASBSD Board of Directors.)

 

The Board of Directors honored four individuals for their service on the ASBSD board.

 

Lisa Engels and Lloyd Gundvaldson were presented plaques at the meeting for their years of service on the Board of Directors. Mary Williams and Sheryl Kirkeby will be presented her plaque at a later date.

 

(Lisa (right) receives her plaque from Pam.)

(Lloyd (right) receives his plaque from Pam.)

 

“We owe Lisa, Lloyd, Sheryl and Mary a big thank you for their dedicated service to public education,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “They devoted time and effort to ensure a quality education was given to students in their local districts and across the state.

 

The Board of Directors also:

• Approved meeting dates for the upcoming year. The Board will meet one more time in 2014 on November 20, 2014 and in 2015 on February 16, April 11 and August 6.
• Approved recommended edits to ASBSD’s legislative resolutions and standing positions from Policy Review Committee. The updates will be provided to member districts soon.
• Discussed Initiated Measure 17, which would allow employees to select any healthcare provider to serve them regardless of their affiliation with an insurance plan. ASBSD will not take a position on the measure, which will appear on the ballot in November, but will provide a fact sheet on its potential affect to school districts for member districts prior to the election.
• Heard an update from Pogany on the workgroup formed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s office to study capital outlay and from the legislative planning committee charged with studying the many facets of school funding. Pogany said there have been no decisions made by the workgroup on potential changes to capital outlay, but noted that growing pressure from taxpayers may result in changes. You can read a recap of July’s legislative planning committee here. The committee will meet again on Monday, Aug. 25, with Pogany set to present.
• Heard a financial report from ASBSD CFO Bill Lynch. Lynch said ASBSD remains in solid financial condition.
• Heard a report from NSBA Western Region Director and Mitchell School Board Member Neil Putnam on NSBA’s “Stand Up 4 Public Education”  campaign and on legislation introduced in both branches of Congress that would strengthen the local school boards autonomy in making policy decisions.
• Discussed national education issues with Kristi Noem’s Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Christenson.
• Reviewed ASBSD’s strategic plan.