> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.citizenjournal.us/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Takeaways from Huron SD 2-2 Education Board Meeting - URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/takeaways-from-huron-sd-2-2-education-board-meeting-9/ - Published: 2026-08-09T19:20:21.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-09T19:20:21.000Z - Description: Week of July 14, 2026 - Author: Cronkite - Tags: hurj, #summary, email # School district grapples with extensive July 2 storm damage # Board approves middle school gym floor replacement bid # High school construction project closes out with contingency funds to spare # District year-end financials show lower deficit than projected # Board reorganizes, elects Bischoff as new president # Board adopts updated strategic plan and priority goals # District overhauling school crisis plans # District to revisit bus pickup agreements with neighboring schools # Task force to explore new after-school program options # Hedbloom named South Dakota boys tennis coach of the year --- ### School district grapples with extensive July 2 storm damage HURON, S.D. — The Huron School District is assessing extensive damage following a severe wind storm on July 2, which has forced the closure of Tiger Stadium and caused significant roof damage across multiple buildings. Business manager Kelly Christopherson reported that one stadium light pole snapped and fell onto the field, while three others are leaning and require structural engineering reviews, leaving the fall sports season's nighttime activities in jeopardy. Additionally, the Huron Arena and an elementary school building suffered severe roof delamination. The district will rely on its property insurance to cover the damage, though it must meet a newly implemented $50,000 wind damage deductible. --- ### Board approves middle school gym floor replacement bid HURON, S.D. — The board of education approved a bid from contractor Puetz Design + Build \[2\] to replace Huron Middle School's problematic wood gym floor. The district accepted a base bid of $220,300, alongside a $7,000 upgrade for an anchored floor system designed to prevent the shifting issues that have plagued the gym for 25 years. Factoring in $46,700 for construction management and a $20,000 contingency fund, the total project cost is estimated at $294,000\. Business manager Kelly Christopherson noted the district has about $200,000 in insurance funds to apply toward the project, which is slated for completion by Nov. 1. --- ### High school construction project closes out with contingency funds to spare HURON, S.D. — The board finalized the closeout of the Huron High School construction project, noting that the multi-year project came in under its contingency budget. The district approved change order 001, which accounted for $355,721 spent from the original $500,000 contingency fund. More than $200,000 of those funds were used for planned kitchen cooler and freezer installations that were not in the original contract. The unspent balance of roughly $144,000 will remain with the district, bringing the extensive construction project to a favorable close within original contingency estimates. --- ### District year-end financials show lower deficit than projected HURON, S.D. — The Huron School District closed out its general fund with a much smaller deficit than originally feared 18 months ago. Business manager Kelly Christopherson noted that while expenditures exceeded revenues by more than $1 million for the fiscal year, pending accounts receivable of approximately $750,000 — mostly from Title grants — will reduce the operating deficit to around $300,000\. The district plans to transfer $300,000 from the capital outlay fund to cover the shortfall. Christopherson highlighted that this final figure is significantly better than the $815,000 deficit initially projected by the district. --- ### Board reorganizes, elects Bischoff as new president HURON, S.D. — The Huron Board of Education officially reorganized for the new school year, electing Garret Bischoff as its new board president and Tim Van Berkum as vice president in unanimous votes. The reorganization followed the swearing-in of board member Shelly Siemonsma, who was recently reelected to a new three-year term. During the consent agenda, the board also set its meeting compensation rates, keeping pay at $100 per meeting for members and $125 for the chair and vice chair. --- ### Board adopts updated strategic plan and priority goals HURON, S.D. — The Huron School Board unanimously approved an updated strategic plan that establishes five priority goals for the upcoming academic year. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff outlined the priority areas, which include successfully implementing the "science of reading," creating a quarterly scorecard for graduation and attendance metrics, promoting family engagement, establishing a cultural liaison task force, and developing a tiered district-wide approach to behavioral needs. The board also reestablished a marketing committee while removing promotional efforts for the McKinley Learning Center, which Steinhoff noted is currently operating at or near capacity. --- ### District overhauling school crisis plans HURON, S.D. — Huron schools are updating their safety protocols with guidance from the South Dakota School Safety Center. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff informed the board that a local task force is reviewing crisis plans from similar-sized districts to refine Huron's standard response protocols. The district plans to provide simplified flip charts for every classroom and office to serve as quick resources during emergencies. Next year, the administration intends to focus on standard reunification methods to establish secure locations and procedures for students and parents if a school building is rendered unusable. --- ### District to revisit bus pickup agreements with neighboring schools HURON, S.D. — The board authorized the superintendent to contact the neighboring Wolsey-Wessington and Iroquois school districts regarding inter-district bus pickup points. The administration is seeking to determine the ongoing viability and compliance of a 2013-2014 agreement that governs how and where neighboring districts can pick up students. It was noted during the meeting there were possible instances of noncompliance last year, prompting the district to remind neighboring schools that Huron is monitoring the agreed-upon pickup boundaries. --- ### Task force to explore new after-school program options HURON, S.D. — The Huron School District may see the return of an after-school program in the near future. Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff announced that the district has received an inquiry regarding hosting a program at district attendance centers, similar in concept to the district's former Tiger After-School Program. Steinhoff stated that if a formal proposal is received, he will establish an after-school task force to review the details and present findings and recommendations to the school board. --- ### Hedbloom named South Dakota boys tennis coach of the year HURON, S.D. — Superintendent Kraig Steinhoff announced a major statewide accolade for a local coach during the district's celebrations report. Huron boys tennis head coach Tim Hedbloom has been named the South Dakota High School Coaches Association Boys Tennis Coach of the Year. The recognition highlights Hedbloom's dedication and success in leading the district's tennis program. --- --- Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below: [Contact Us](https://www.citizenjournal.us/contact/) --- [![Job Board](https://rosebud-ads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/JOB.png)](https://gregl72.github.io/job/?ref=citizenjournal.us)