The Sioux Valley School Board said goodbye to its 2008-2009 membership at its July meeting, swearing in new members and choosing officers for the year ahead.

Brookings Dispatcher Tawnya Hanson replaced President Chris Lee, who had served on the board for six years. Hanson has served previously, from 2005 - 2008.

Polly Larson filled the remaining vacant seat on the board for another term; it will be her second on the board.

Current member Doug Wermedal, who has served on the board for two years, was elected as the group's new president. Hanson was chosen vice president, and Thomas Kleinjan was elected to serve as the board's Northeast Educational Services representative .

The district board did not change its membership immediately, however. First, it approved a $5.6 million budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year - up about $85,000.

District Business Manager Ardith Van Beek said the increase is due chiefly to more salaries resulting from staff additions.

The new fiscal year budget includes approximately $3.7 million in its general fund, an increase of $60,000 from last year. The district also budgeted approximately $750,000 in capital outlay spending, a $50,000 hike from last year.

Special education will cost the district $800,000, of which approximately $150,000 will come from federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The district's general fund also received about $180,000 in ARRA funding.

According to Van Beek, the special education fund is down slightly from last year because there are fewer staff members.

Contact Amanda Palluck at apalluck@brookingsregister .com.

For the complete article see the 07-22-2009 issue.

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