Kindergarten enrollment drop halts new teacher hire

Board approves second phase of CTE curriculum adoption

CTE students show 10 percent higher graduation rate

Longtime speech pathologist among nine resignations

Paraeducator named classified employee of the month

Middle school initiative slashes missing assignments

Seventh graders tackle 86,000 extra math problems

Student-led business model boosts yearbook sales

High school roof replacement nears completion

Kindergarten enrollment drop halts new teacher hire

HURON, S.D. - An additional kindergarten teacher will not be hired for the upcoming school year following a sharp decline in registration numbers. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff reported that only 91 students registered for junior kindergarten and kindergarten, a significant drop from 137 the previous year and 156 in 2024. The district will maintain its current 11 sections and monitor enrollment figures before considering any new positions.

Board approves second phase of CTE curriculum adoption

HURON, S.D. - The second phase of the district's curriculum adoption for career and technical education and health classes was unanimously approved. Curriculum Director Linda Pietz reported that teachers, community members and student representatives evaluated the materials using a matrix focused on state standards, instructional supports and assessments. Following the approval, the district will now seek formal bids from the selected vendors.

CTE students show 10 percent higher graduation rate

HURON, S.D. - Huron students who concentrate their studies in career and technical education have a 10 percent higher on-time graduation rate than their peers, according to Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff. The data, collected for the South Dakota Department of Education's annual local needs assessment, showed human services as the district's most popular CTE cluster with 176 concentrators, followed by business and management with 115.

Longtime speech pathologist among nine resignations

HURON, S.D. - Nine staff resignations were accepted as part of the consent agenda Monday, including the departure of a longtime speech-language pathologist with 27 years of service to the district. The hiring of two new classified staff members for food service and paraeducator roles was also approved.

Paraeducator named classified employee of the month

HURON, S.D. - A paraeducator at Huron Middle School was recognized as the district's classified employee of the month. Administrators praised the employee for dedication, a positive attitude and a willingness to regularly step in as a substitute teacher when needed. Presenters said the employee's reliability and interest in student progress make the paraeducator a strong asset to the school.

Middle school initiative slashes missing assignments

HURON, S.D. - A February academic challenge at Huron Middle School significantly reduced the number of missing assignments among sixth and eighth graders. Teachers tracked missing work twice a week and rewarded homerooms that reduced their totals, resulting in hundreds of late assignments being completed. Eighth-grade teachers also hosted a free day in the gymnasium and commons for students who successfully maintained zero missing assignments.

Seventh graders tackle 86,000 extra math problems

HURON, S.D. - Huron Middle School seventh graders completed 86,000 extra multiplication problems over the past month as part of a "99 Math Challenge." Two seventh-grade math teachers initiated the competition during directed study time to keep students engaged, using a traveling trophy and an accuracy-weighted leaderboard to motivate homerooms. Based on the program's success, teachers plan to expand the challenge to include reading fluency and geography skills.

Student-led business model boosts yearbook sales

HURON, S.D. - Huron Middle School yearbook sales have surged from 130 to more than 300 in the past three years after students implemented a new business strategy. Eighth graders must fill out job applications to join the 25-student staff, who secure local business sponsorships to lower the book's cost for students from $19.17 to $15. The student staff also plans to host a dance in late March to raise additional funds to subsidize printing costs.

High school roof replacement nears completion

HURON, S.D. - The Huron High School roof replacement project is proceeding smoothly and is expected to be finished by the end of March, weather permitting. Business manager Kelly Christopherson provided the construction update during his financial report, saying the district has spent $16.1 million, or 56 percent, of its general fund budget for the year. The spending marks a slight decrease compared to the $16.5 million spent by this time last year.

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