📢The Scoop from the Sup'📢
As the South Dakota Legislative Session unfolds, I want to bring attention to a critical issue that could significantly impact your public education and our state’s budget: HB1020 (linked here). This bill proposes the creation of a Voucher/ESA system through school choice. In reality it would redirect public funds to private schools including newly established non-accredited non-public school systems with little to no accountability to the taxpayer.
This legislation and efforts like HB1020 bring concerns for all of us:
- Lack of Accountability: These newly created non-accredited non-public schools would not be required to follow the same accountability standards as public schools.
- There are no mandatory background checks for employees/teachers and no licensing requirements for teachers as required in public education.
- No oversight to ensure educational quality or state standards as required in public education.
- Minimal financial oversight with random audits of Voucher/ESA spending, while in public education we are required to conduct financial audits.
- School Choice is Already Here: We support families' choice on where their children receive their education in South Dakota. Choices for families are:
- Your local public school
- Open Enroll to a different public school
- Private school enrollment
- Alternative Instruction/Homeschool enrollment
- Financial Impact: Starting such a program would require substantial financial resources, drawing from an already limited state budget.
- Five million dollars are already designated to scholarship students to private schools through Partners In Education. This money comes from insurance companies deferring state taxes to this fund. How much more money do you want going to private schools instead of public education?
- Proposed cuts to vital programs—such as South Dakota Public Broadcasting, State Libraries, and dual-credit college courses for high school students—are facing funding cuts. These programs serve homeschooled, private and public students.
- Evidence from other states show these programs grow and pull limited state resources from schools, social services, roads, law enforcement, etc.
South Dakota’s revenue is limited, and I believe public funds should be dedicated to public schools, which serve ALL students who enter. Public schools are held to high standards to ensure student success, equity, and safety. Diverting funds to unregulated systems threatens the strength and stability of our school systems.
Remember, public schools welcome all students and provide specialized services for children from birth to age 21 with disabilities. And your public school continues to create pathways to the workforce through two-year, four-year, and advanced degree programs while in high school and directly out of high school.
I encourage everyone to stay informed about HB1020 and make your voice heard. Please contact your legislators with your views—whether in support or opposition HB1020—to ensure your perspective is considered in these important decisions. You can reach out to your District 29 legislators:
Senator John Carley: John.Carley@sdlegislature.gov
Representative Terri Jorgenson: Terri.Jorgenson@sdlegislature.gov
Representative Kathy Rice: Kathy.Rice@sdlegislature.gov
Thank you for your continued support of the Meade School District and public education.
Wayne Wormstadt
Superintendent
Meade School District 46-1
A school board meeting was held Monday, January 13, 2025. Some important topics discussed and/or approved included:
- Oath of Office to new board member, Thomas Schneller
- Selection of Strategic Planning Company - Studer Education
- Plus more...
Take a moment to read the unofficial minutes or review the agenda for more details.
The Meade School District 46-1 appointed new school board member, Thomas Schneller, to the 6-month vacancy at the Monday, January 13, 2025 school board meeting.
With deep roots in Western South Dakota, Tom is no stranger to the values and traditions of the region. His family legacy spans generations, from his grandfather’s role as a rancher and business owner in Winner to his father’s career as a dentist serving communities such as Belle Fourche, Kadoka, Rapid City, and Martin.
Now, with a family of his own, Tom has chosen to settle and invest in the Meade School District. He views this opportunity to serve as a way to give back to the community that has given him so much.
“We need to raise our children to be leaders in a future that will undoubtedly see remarkable change,” he says. “Technology is rapidly evolving, and we must prepare our kids to meet those challenges confidently, whether they choose college, the military, or technical school.”
Tom is passionate about supporting teachers, whom he describes as “talented and professional educators who give tirelessly of themselves throughout the district.” He envisions a strong school board that fosters an innovative and safe educational environment, promoting excellence, creativity, and wellness for every student.
Superintendent, Wayne Wormstadt was recently recognized through the Sturgis Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). The SEDC actively pursues economic development by assisting expanding or new business, industry and housing in Sturgis and Meade County. SEDC is the only local organization with this full time focus.
Mr. Wormstadt has 20 years of experience as a superintendent and has worked in public education for 28 years. As a strong supporter of communities, he has held roles in Lion's, Kiwanis, the ABC Board, Chamber of Commerce, economic development, Director of Youth Activities, and church boards.
Currently, he is an ex-officio board member of the SEDC and board member of the Sturgis Chamber and Action for the Betterment of the Community. He believes that a strong education system must be maintained and grow with the community as these students are our future business owners, employees and leaders of the Meade School District.
The screenings are for children planning to attend kindergarten in the fall of 2025 as well as for those children up to six years of age. Children attending the screening will be evaluated in the areas of hearing, speech, language, gross and fine motor skills, and cognitive skills. The evaluations performed during the screening are provided free of charge and take approximately one hour.
Parents registering a child for kindergarten will need the child’s immunization records and a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate or affidavit in lieu of the birth certificate as issued by the Department of Health if the original is deemed unattainable. These documents are required by law for every child entering school in South Dakota. Please contact the building secretary to schedule a time for Kindergarten Screening.
The Meade School Board of Education has approved a partnership with Studer Education to enhance the district's organizational excellence and drive continuous improvement. This initiative aims to ensure that the students, families, and communities served by Meade 46-1 receive exceptional educational opportunities and are well-prepared for life beyond the classroom.
As part of this collaboration, Studer Education will introduce a comprehensive, integrated approach to annual and short-cycle work planning. This strategy is designed to foster alignment with the Superintendent’s and District’s priorities, ensuring a focused and collaborative effort to achieve shared goals.
The activities department has upgraded the activities calendar to Bound, an online software that handles all aspects of managing statewide athletics and activities.
Girls Wrestling Team
Congratulations to the Scooper Girls Wrestling Team that went undefeated at the Casper, WY dual Tournament. They finished as Team Champions and Annalee Pierson won the Outstanding Wrestler Award.
Hayden Rock
This week's Kwik Mart/KBHB Athlete of the week is Hayden Rock of the Sturgis Scooper Boys Basketball Team. Rock scored 21 points to lead the Scoopers in their game vs RC Stevens.
Junior Honor Choir
Congratulations to Haiden Culver(8th SWMS), Ruby Lawrence (9th SBHS), Liam Hoops (8th SWMS), Vivian Anderson (8th SWMS) and Destiny Plunkett (9th SBHS) on representing Meade 46-1 School District at Junior Honor Choir. Ruby Lawrence was also recognized for being selected for three years to Junior Honor Choir. She was chosen to sing a solo at this year's concert.
You Look Better in Black and White with a Splash of Red!
Ready to inspire, educate, and make a difference? Meade School District 46-1 is seeking passionate individuals to join our team!
We have certificated, support staff and extra-curricular activity positions available for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year.
Did you know that you can volunteer to work in schools throughout the district? Fill out the volunteer form now!
Educating youth takes a community effort, and because of that the Meade School Board is encouraging parents, guardians and other interested patrons to volunteer their time, knowledge and talents.
Members of the community bring new energies and resources into the schools and expand the walls of the classrooms. School volunteers enrich the educational program and strengthen the schools’ relationships with homes, businesses, public agencies and private institutions. All volunteers in the Meade School District do so without pay or employee benefits, except for workers’ compensation. For those interested in volunteering.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal
Parents/guardians and staff members now have access to review and request changes to contact and demographic information. If you have had an address change, phone number change or email change, log in to your parent portal through Infinite Campus and request a change now. If you do not have a parent portal account, contact your building secretary and they will create one for you.
Dakota Dreams FREE K-12 Online Tutoring
The Dakota Dreams Online Tutoring Program provides free online tutoring to K-12 students in South Dakota in the subjects of English/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Cold weather can impact your school devices performance and integrity. To avoid potential damage, it is strongly advised not to leave your devices in the car.
Some of the reasons include:
- Battery performance: Cold weather can make device batteries drain faster and may even prevent them from working properly.
- Condensation: When a cold device is moved to a warmer place, moisture can form inside it, which might damage the parts.
- Hard drive issues: If a device has a hard drive, very cold temperatures can make it harder for the drive to spin and work properly.
- Screen problems: The screen can become slow to respond or might even freeze up in cold conditions.
Over all, keeping devices warm helps them work better.
Whitewood Elementary After-School Program (ABC's)
Whitewood Elementary offers a FREE after-school program to our district students and families. The after-school program runs from 3 pm to 6 pm Monday - Friday and hosts sports camps, science clubs, robotics group, a video-game design team, and so much more.
*Class sizes are limited, please call (605) 269-2264 for more information.
Help us maintain our Title I Funding by filling out reduced meal applications!
All Meade School District middle and high school student technology fee's ($25/student or $50/family) will be waived if families complete the Free and Reduced Meal Application, regardless of whether you qualify for the program or not.
By having more families complete the application, the district can demonstrate a higher level of need to secure and maintain Title I federal funding.
The information provided on the application is confidential, and staff will not have access to the specific details of your application.
Titan Family Portal is now LINQ Connect! Parents can deposit money directly into their child's meal account and can receive emails by clicking on the link "LINQConnect Family Portal" website and setting up an account.
Friday, 2/7
- Teacher of the Year/Staff of the Year submittals due to building principals
Monday, 2/10
- Regular School Board Meeting
Monday, 2/10 & Thursday, 2/13
- Parent/Teacher Conferences (Elem, Whitewood & Rural)
Tuesday, 2/11 & Thursday, 2/13
- Parent/Teacher Conferences (Middle Schools)
Friday, 2/14
- No School (Teacher In-Service)
Monday 2/17
- No School (President's Day)
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Events & Facebook
Sturgis Community Center website & Facebook
Foothills Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook
