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April/May 2026
Monday, May 11, 2026
- Support Staff Wage Increase
- Approve Meade County Sheriff's Office SRO MOU
- Publish Preliminary Budget
- Approve Casey Peterson & Associates Audit Agreement
- Approve Amended Custodial Contracts
- Approve Amended Contracts for Bus Transportation
- Policy Reviews
- And More!
(*Not all agenda items are listed. The board packet will be published to the public on May 8.)
In-person absentee voting is now underway in Meade and Lawrence County!
Learn more about the candidates running for the Meade School District Board of Education. Candidate questionnaires are available to help you better understand their backgrounds, priorities, and perspectives.
4-Year Term Limits
- Derek Allen - Candidate Questionnaire
- Tammara P. Hannan - Candidate Questionnaire
- Brian Voight (incumbent) - Candidate Questionnaire
2-Year Term Limit
- Megan Snyder, unopposed (incumbent) - Candidate Questionnaire
The Sturgis Chamber of Commerce invites community members to attend an upcoming School Board Election Forum on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 PM in the Williams Administrative Building – Board Room located at 1230 Douglas Street, Sturgis, SD.
This forum provides an opportunity to hear directly from school board candidates as they share their perspectives, priorities, and vision for the future of our district. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the individuals seeking to serve our schools and students, as well as the important issues facing public education in our community.
Community engagement plays a critical role in shaping the direction of our schools. Whether you have specific questions, want to better understand the candidates, or are simply interested in staying informed, this forum is designed to support transparent and open dialogue.
We encourage all stakeholders—parents, staff, and community members—to attend and be part of the conversation as we look ahead to the future of Meade School District 46-1.
Mark your calendars! The Staff Retirement & Recognition Banquet is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 at 8:00 a.m. in the West Gym at Sturgis Brown High School.
Scan the QR Code or click the link to view the banquet brochure for a list of staff retirees, those celebrating milestone years of service and other recognitions.
A complimentary breakfast buffet will be available beginning at approximately 7:00 a.m. This event is free and open to the public—everyone is welcome to join in celebrating our dedicated staff members.
We invite YOU🫵 to nominate a school board member, community member, or local business that has demonstrated outstanding support and involvement with our district. You may also submit a nomination for the Meade School District Board of Education as a whole.
ASBSD (Associated School Board of South Dakota) is currently seeking nominations for the following recognitions:
Nominate a Meade 46-1 board member who exemplifies extraordinary leadership of public education by implementing initiatives that spur student achievement, advocating for secure funding sources for K-12 education and setting high expectations for the district and themselves among other high-quality characteristics.
is presented to individuals or businesses serving the Meade 46-1 school district in exemplary fashion. Award nominees have shown personal involvement to improve the quality of South Dakota public education.
is given annually to a public school board that consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership that enhances the achievement for all students.
Our school board members play a critical role in shaping the future of our district. The decisions they make are not always easy. Board members volunteer their time, energy, and thoughtfulness to ensure our schools continue moving forward. We are grateful for those who have and are willing to step up to the plate, ask the hard questions, and make the difficult decisions that keep our district strong.
The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Applications for each award should be submitted to ASBSD Executive Secretary Katie Mitchell-Boe by mail to: PO Box 1059, Pierre, SD 57501 or by email to: katie@asbsd.org.
Please take the time to nominate a board member, community member, or the board!
May 4 -8, 2026
This week we celebrate the real MVPs of Meade 46-1—our teachers! They juggle lessons, emails, questions, and the occasional mystery sticky substance… all before lunch.
They inspire, support, and somehow keep everything running (mostly) smoothly—often powered by coffee and pure determination.
Give a high five, send a note, or just say thanks—because behind every student is a teacher who deserves way more than just one week of appreciation.
Sturgis Brown High School culinary arts teacher Mica Sulzbach-Bataille recently completed the USDA’s Connecting Culinary Arts with Sustainable Agricultural Systems program in partnership with New Mexico State University. Selected as one of just 60 educators nationwide—and one of only three from South Dakota—she participated in a two-year program focused on the future of sustainable food systems.
As part of the program, Sulzbach-Bataille developed innovative lesson plans integrating agriculture, sustainability, and culinary arts. Her lesson, “Thinking Like an Agricultural and Culinary Entrepreneur,” was selected for publication by both the USDA and NMSU and will be featured as a resource for educators nationwide.
Sulzbach-Bataille described the experience as rewarding, noting the opportunity to collaborate with educators across the country and bring real-world sustainability concepts into her classroom.
The Meade School District is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Thienes as Assistant Principal at Piedmont Valley Elementary and Stagebarn Middle School beginning the 2026-27 school year.
Thienes brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership, with a strong focus on instructional excellence, equity, and student achievement. She began her career as a classroom teacher in Washington, where she developed a passion for supporting diverse learners and implementing culturally responsive teaching practices. During this time, she earned her National Board Certification and gained early leadership experience coordinating an English Language Learner (ELL) summer school program.
Throughout her career, Thienes has served in a variety of leadership roles, including ELL Facilitator, Literacy Specialist, and Assistant Principal. She later served seven years as an Elementary Principal, where she led school improvement efforts and fostered a collaborative learning environment. Most recently, she has worked as a Director of Student Services, leading districtwide systems work and helping design and implement a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework to strengthen early intervention and collaboration between general and special education.
Melissa’s depth of experience and commitment to student success make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team. Her background in instructional leadership and systems-level work will be a tremendous asset to our schools and community.
Thienes is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, dedication to coaching and professional growth, and ability to build strong relationships with staff and students. A graduate of Wall and a former elementary student in Enning, she is excited to return to her roots, reconnect with family, and continue serving students, families, and staff in the Meade School District.
She will begin her new role early this summer!
Sturgis Williams Middle School Assistant Principal, Katy Jutting was selected as the SDASSP Region VII Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year for the 2026–27 school year!
This honor recognizes her outstanding dedication to the Meade School District and her meaningful contributions to the regional principal association. Mrs. Jutting will be formally recognized by SDASSP at a banquet during the South Dakota Principals Conference in Deadwood this June.
As the regional award recipient, Mrs. Jutting is now eligible to apply for the South Dakota Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, which will be awarded in September 2026.
This month, we’re proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of one of our dedicated school librarians, Heidi Kruse.
Heidi has been actively engaged in statewide school library initiatives, including:
• ExCITE! Library Methods: Civic & Ethical Literacy (2023)
• ExCITE! Library Methods: Information Literacy in Action (2026)
• 21st Century (21c) Award (2020–2023)
• South Dakota School Library Standards Review Team
Her involvement reflects a strong commitment to professional growth, student learning, and the continued development of high-quality library programs.
School librarians like Heidi play a critical role in supporting literacy, fostering a love of reading, and equipping students with essential research and critical thinking skills. Her leadership and engagement at the state level not only enhance her own work but also highlight the values and priorities of the Meade School District.
Sturgis Williams Middle School teacher Tammy Neilan has been accepted into the South Dakota STEM Leadership Program—a competitive opportunity designed for educators who are ready to take science, technology, engineering, and math to the next level. This means Tammy will be collaborating with other top educators across the state, diving into high-quality professional learning, and returning with fresh ideas to energize STEM instruction in our district.
We’re not saying she’s officially a rocket scientist… but she’s now significantly closer than the rest of us. 🚀
In all seriousness, Tammy’s selection speaks to her dedication, curiosity, and willingness to keep learning—qualities that will no doubt benefit both her students and colleagues (and possibly lead to some very impressive classroom experiments along the way).
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Anyone with a connection to Atall Elementary —past or present—is invited to a very special final program following the kindergarten graduation ceremony. During this event, we will also take time to honor our 8th grade graduates, who will be participating in a separate all-rural schools ceremony.
The program will be held in the basement of Atall Elementary, with cake and refreshments to follow.
As this will be the final official program held at Atall Elementary, we hope to bring together students, staff, alumni, and community members to reflect on and celebrate the many memories, milestones, and lasting impact of Atall Elementary throughout the years.
Whitewood Elementary is proud to celebrate Tillie Sabers (4th), winner of a statewide billboard contest hosted by SD DOT and RCS Construction! 🎉
Her “Construction Zone Safety Awareness” design stood out among 4th graders across South Dakota. She earned a pizza party for her class, and her artwork will be featured on a billboard between Whitewood and Spearfish at mile marker 22.
Congratulations, Tillie! 👏 Be sure to watch for her design on display soon!
Whitewood Elementary 4th grade class recently participated in a poetry contest hosted by the Sturgis VFW Auxiliary, centered around the theme “America’s 250th Birthday.”
Carter Cichosz earned 1st place and Hannah Hale earned 2nd place at the local level! Parker Stoltenberg was the winner in the special needs division and has also been selected to advance to the state level with his poem.
A special thank you to Carol Edwards of the Sturgis VFW for her support in organizing and promoting this poetry contest. We appreciate her dedication to providing meaningful opportunities for our students to showcase their talents!
Rural Meade
Thursday, May 14
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Central Meade County Community Center
Sturgis Williams MS
🕕 5:30 PM
📍 Sturgis Williams MS
Stagebarn MS
🕕 7:15 AM
📍 Stagebarn MS
SBHS proudly recognized a group of outstanding students for earning April Positive Referrals, highlighting their commitment to leadership, kindness, responsibility, and academic excellence. This month’s Positive Referral program was proudly sponsored by the Sturgis Optimist Club, whose continued support helps recognize and encourage student achievement and character development.
Students recognized this month include: Jace Abner, Tyler Anthony, Hunter Atkins, Kellyray Bergstrom, Bryson Epperson, Jolene Hoffman, Blake Kaufman, Addison Kossler, Kerrigan Meland, Jasmine Miller, Thomas Relf, Tegan Salazar, Levi Sjomeling, Abbigail Stietz, Grayson Toolen, Max Weisbrod
Pictured: Back Row: Jace Abner, Tegan Salazar, Tyler Anthony, Hunter Atkins, Addison Kossler. Front Row: Thomas Relf, Bryson Epperson, Kellyray Bergstrom, Grayson Toolen, Jasmine Miller.
Our buildings Lost & Found continues to thrive—so much so that it may soon qualify as its own building.
At this point, we have a wide selection of sweatshirts (mostly unlabeled), water bottles (lonely and unclaimed), and at least one shoe that is absolutely convinced its partner is “just running late.”
If your student has come home missing items, there’s a strong chance those items are currently enjoying an extended stay at school. No reservations required.
You could also look at this as a 2026-27 Back-To-School shopping experience (check out the coat selection below!) - visit your student's building and browse the selection before we send everything off to a new home via donation.
Labeling items is still highly recommended, though we understand some items prefer anonymity.
SBHS student Jackson Cammack (12) named State FFA President and SBHS student Ellie Storm (12) named State FFA Secretary!
This also marks the first time in many years that Sturgis has had multiple state officers serving on the same team, making this moment even more special for our chapter and community.
The Sturgis FFA Chapter made an impressive showing at the 98th State FFA Convention, bringing home multiple awards and recognitions across a wide range of competitions.
A total of 30 Sturgis FFA members competed in eight different career development event teams, including horse evaluation, livestock evaluation, range plant identification, natural resources, milk quality and products, floriculture, agricultural mechanics, and veterinary science. Their strong participation highlighted both the depth and diversity of talent within the chapter.
Individually, two members earned top-20 finishes in their respective contests. Rowan Lutz placed 16th in the Milk Quality and Products competition, while Natalie Yates secured an impressive 10th-place finish in Livestock Judging.
The Range Plant Identification team delivered a standout performance, capturing 1st place overall and securing back-to-back state championships for Sturgis FFA in the contest. Team members Ian Cammack (3rd), Chloe Cammack (6th), Jacob Popkes (11th), and Auburn Treloar (14th) each placed in the top 15 individually, contributing to the team’s dominant finish.
The South Dakota FCCLA State Leadership Conference, held Sunday, April 26 through Tuesday, April 28, brought together students from across the state to showcase their leadership and career-ready skills.
Among the standout participants were SBHS students Kielyn Aker, Olivia Glover, Alanah Spring, and Avery Thurman, who each earned Gold ratings on their state projects. Demonstrating exceptional preparation and dedication, all four students also placed in the top five in the state for their respective events.
Their achievements highlight both their individual commitment and the strength of the SBHS FCCLA program.
Congratulations to the SBHS Choir for an outstanding performance, earning two Superior ratings and one Above Average rating! These results reflect the group’s dedication, attention to detail, and the countless hours spent refining their sound.
SBHS Band also delivered a strong showing, receiving one Superior and two High Excellent ratings. Their performance showcased not only musical skill, but also discipline, teamwork, and pride in their craft.
Both groups represented SBHS exceptionally well at the Large Group Contest held in Rapid City at Central High School on April 29. Achievements like these don’t happen by accident—they’re the result of consistent effort, strong leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence. Great work to all involved!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2026
By Deb Holland, City of Sturgis
STURGIS – Residents who use the track at Woodle Field and the Sturgis Bike Path in Sturgis City Park should plan for temporary changes this summer as construction begins on a new artificial turf football field.
The Meade School District has contracted with Mammoth Sports Construction to complete the turf installation project. During construction, which begins May 18, the track surrounding the football field will be closed to the public for safety.
The project will also affect the Sturgis Bike Path. A temporary re-route will guide users around the construction zone, shifting the path south along Blanche Street before reconnecting to the existing trail. A map of the project area shows a designated construction entrance and a fenced staging, or laydown, area within the park.
City officials are coordinating with the school district to help minimize disruptions while work is underway.
The improvements follow the City of Sturgis’ sale of Woodle Field to the Meade School District, allowing the district to make long-term investments in the facility. The installation of artificial turf is expected to increase field use, reduce maintenance needs, and provide a consistent playing surface for school and community activities.
Residents are encouraged to use caution near the construction area, follow posted signage, and plan alternate routes for walking, running, and biking throughout the summer. This will NOT affect the Sturgis Bike Park!
Updates will be shared as more information on the construction timeline becomes available.
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- 2026-27 ISS Paraprofessional
- 2026-27 Elementary/Middle School Guidance Counselor
- 2026-27 K-8/High School Guidance Counselor
- 2026-27 Special Services Teachers
- 2026-27 Special Services Paraprofessionals
- Athletic/Activities Coaches
- Night Custodian (high school)
- Cafeteria Monitor
- Plus More!
April Staff Spotlight
Congratulations Loreena Larson, Birth to 3, Preschool and Kindergarten Special Education Teacher at Sturgis Elementary!
By Tim Potts, BH Pioneer
STURGIS – The Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis continued their commitment to local youth in April, providing free breakfasts to students across the Meade School District 46-1, serving a total of 616 students at the high school, middle school and elementary levels.
At Sturgis Brown High School on Friday, 186 students were treated to a hearty breakfast in the cafeteria, with menu options that included biscuits and gravy, waffles and sausage, and grab-and-go bagels. The effort is part of a twice-a-year program funded by the Kiwanis, which this spring came at a cost of $765.83.
Rhonda Ramsdell, Meade 46-1 Food Service Director, said the partnership with Kiwanis is invaluable.
“The Kiwanis are such good partners to us and such good friends to us,” Ramsdell said. “They provide breakfast twice a year for all the Sturgis schools, so every student has the opportunity to have a free breakfast. They come in here and they’re just so fun to work with. We could not do this without them.”
Richelle Bruch, President of the Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis, said the program reflects the organization’s core mission.
“The overall mission for Sturgis Golden K Kiwanis is to improve the lives of one child, which improves the lives of the community,” Bruch said. “By providing breakfast in the mornings, we’re giving kids a stable, nourishing start to the day. Hopefully that helps them get through the day and have a better attitude.”
The breakfast program has grown over the past several years. According to Kiwanis Treasurer Mark Chaplin, this is the third year the organization has expanded the effort to serve all three schools twice annually.
“We started doing it once a year in the spring,” Chaplin said. “Then we realized the need was there to do it both in the fall and spring. For the past three years, we’ve been able to provide breakfast to all the schools.”
In addition to serving meals, Kiwanis leaders hope the program inspires more community members to get involved.
“All someone has to do is show up on a Thursday morning at the Meade County Senior Center, have some breakfast, fill out an application, and become part of our mission at the Kiwanis,” Bruch said.
Bruch emphasized the long-term impact of investing in local youth.
“The future depends on them,” she said. “If we can give them a great foundation, they will do amazing things.”
Friendly reminder that all school lunch balances are due before May 20—the last day of school. We’d prefer not to have students graduate into summer still “financing” last Tuesday’s nachos.
The current lunch debt has grown to a new record (not a record to be proud of) of -$38,926.00. Thanks to generous donors, we are still able to offer 75% matching funds. That means your payment goes further—kind of like a cafeteria magic trick, but with fewer crumbs and more impact. Please contact us if you’re interested in taking advantage of this offer.
Also, a heads-up: student account balances will carry over to next school year. So yes, the mystery debit from second-grade chocolate milk is still very much active for 2026-27.
Let’s close out the year with full stomachs and balanced accounts.
Every day, our dedicated school nutrition professionals make sure students are well-fed, fueled, and ready to learn (and occasionally amazed that vegetables were actually eaten).
School Lunch Hero Day (May 1, 2026) is a special opportunity to recognize their hard work, patience, and ability to keep hundreds of students fed without running out of chicken nuggets.
Our kitchen staff truly appreciate the recognition—whether it’s a handwritten card, a quick thank you, or even just a wave while holding a tray full of mystery cafeteria favorites. Small gestures go a long way in showing appreciation for the big job they do every day.
As we wrap up the year, it’s worth reflecting on everything that made it memorable. From academic achievements and student milestones to performances, competitions, and everyday classroom wins, there’s been plenty to celebrate. Students grew not only in knowledge, but in confidence, resilience, and relationships.
Of course, no school year comes without its challenges. There were busy schedules, changing routines, a few bumps along the way, and moments that tested patience and perseverance. But time and again, students, staff, families and community members worked together to navigate those obstacles to keep moving forward.
That balance of successes and challenges is what makes a school year meaningful. It’s where growth happens, lessons are learned (both in and out of the classroom), and a stronger school community is built.
As we head into summer, there’s a lot to be proud of—and even more to look forward to next year.
Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Events & Facebook
Sturgis Community Center website & Facebook
Foothills Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook
