Takeaways from Huron SD 2-2 Education Board Meeting
Week of September 29, 2026
Fall enrollment count exceeds budgeted estimates despite slight dip
School board approves nine new hires, three resignations
Fall parent-teacher conferences scheduled for October
District rolls out TalkingPoints translation tool for families
Board introduces update to student conduct policy on school buses
District receives year two funding for Science of Reading grant
District secures advertising agreements for Huron Arena, CTE Center
Fall enrollment count exceeds budgeted estimates despite slight dip
HURON, S.D. — Huron School District's fall student count is projected at 2,966 students, which exceeds the district's budgeted estimate of 2,936 despite being down from last year's total of 3,042. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff noted that while the official state aid count will not be finalized until late October, the numbers reflect Huron's status as one of South Dakota's largest school districts. Huron previously ranked as the eighth-largest school district in the state from 2023 to 2025.
School board approves nine new hires, three resignations
HURON, S.D. — The Huron Board of Education unanimously approved the hiring of nine new district employees and accepted three resignations as part of its consent agenda. The new hires include substitute teachers, special education paraeducators, substitute bus drivers and food service staff, while the accepted resignations came from a food service concessions worker, a Madison 2-3 Center special education paraeducator and a Washington 4-5 Center special education teacher.
Fall parent-teacher conferences scheduled for October
HURON, S.D. — The Huron Board of Education formalized the schedule for fall parent-teacher conferences across the district during its Sept. 28 meeting, coinciding with the first day of high school conferences. The schedule continues at the Washington 4-5 Center on Oct. 5 and 6, the McKinley Learning Center on Oct. 13 and 15, and the Buchanan K-1 Center on Oct. 26 and 27 [1]. The district will also observe an early release day on Oct. 7 and hold no classes on Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Native American Day [2].
District rolls out TalkingPoints translation tool for families
HURON, S.D. — The Huron School District is using Title I funds to implement TalkingPoints, a text-based family communication tool designed to eliminate language barriers for parents of K-5 students. The platform allows staff to send messages in English, which are automatically translated into a family's preferred language, and then translates family responses back into English. The tool requires no app download and aims to improve direct communication between teachers and parents without the delays of waiting for an interpreter.
Board introduces update to student conduct policy on school buses
HURON, S.D. — Board members held a first reading to update Policy JFCC, which governs student conduct on school buses. The proposed revision updates language regarding physical contact between drivers and students, aligning the transportation guidelines with broader district policies that prohibit staff from physically handling students. A second reading and final approval of the updated policy are expected at the next board meeting.
District receives year two funding for Science of Reading grant
HURON, S.D. — The South Dakota Department of Education approved second-year funding for the district's English Language Arts grant focused on the Science of Reading. The funding, which takes effect Oct. 1, supports evidence-based instruction strategies — including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension — to explicitly teach foundational reading skills. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff said the grant ensures every student receives instruction that gives them the best chance to become a confident reader.
District secures advertising agreements for Huron Arena, CTE Center
HURON, S.D. — The board approved three advertising and sponsorship agreements for district facilities, including a five-year sponsorship for the Career and Technical Education Center with Dakota Air Spray [3] effective through June 30, 2031. Additionally, the district approved 2026-2027 school year advertising agreements for the Huron Arena with Plus One Guidance Center [4] and Welter Funeral Home [5].
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