HURON — Junior Mackenzie Hershman gave a report on HOSA to members of the Huron School Board Monday night.

HOSA students recently placed in the top three at state and qualified for national competition. They include Hershman, second place family medicine physician; junior Reese Stephens, third place phlebotomy; senior Hser Wah, third place clinical nursing; sophomore Adisyn Zavesky, first place physical therapy; juniors Win Ni and Hser Da Say, second place EMT; junior Day Lu Paw, second place dental science; and junior Hser Da Say, third place dental science.

Hershman said that Huron also won the state anti-vape campaign, with their slogan “Nic is an Ick.”

Technology director Roger Ahlers updated the board on tools that are making the department more efficient. One of the big tools is AI to filter content, making sure students can watch instructional YouTube videos without being exposed to inappropriate material.

School board members also canvassed the April 9 School Board election, that saw Ray Cardona elected to the board and the re-election of Tim Van Berkum.

A total of 1,856 voters cast ballots in the School Board election, representing 20 percent of registered voters in the district.

School Board members approved a request by Jolene Konechne for a $2.4 million grant to modernize career and technical education programs in the district.

In his report, Supt. Kraig Steinhoff congratulated junior Kolby Hofer for tying the school record in the javelin at 143-feet, 7 inches.

Groups awarded the Academic Achievement Team Award for achieving a combined GPA average of 3.0 or higher include yearbook, newspaper, student council, All State Jazz Band, All State Show Choir, large group bands, large group chorus, boys’ tennis, girls’ golf, boys’ track and girls’ track.

High school seniors receiving State Degrees from the S.D. FFA Association were Peyton Bischoff, Kayeleigh Bowden, Chloe Culver, Holden Hegg, Elizabeth Heinen, Tatum Peterson and Makenzie Siemonsma.

Steinhoff reported on the CASE (Council of Administrators of Special Education) Academy of Law and Leadership conference held April 16-18 in Minneapolis. Steinhoff attended with Linda Pietz, Ralyna Abelseth and Rodney Mittelstedt.

“The knowledge we learned will help us to turn legal and regulatory guidance into local school district practice,” Steinhoff said. “We garnered knowledge on investigations, Title IX, IEPs, 504s, student discipline, and lawsuits filed against school districts.”

Although the South Dakota State Fair announced the fair will begin a day sooner, on Wednesday, Aug. 28, Steinhoff said they will keep the district calendar the same, with early release on Aug. 28. There will not be a preview day prior to the start of the event.

The board also approved seven new hires, three new contracts and seven resignations.

In dates to remember:
• Today, April 23, is School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
• Administrative Assistant Day is April 24