STURGIS, S.D. – The Meade 46-1 School Board holds their October meeting tonight, and will continue discussion on their budget deficit for FY2026.
After getting new enrollment numbers, the deficit has grown from $638,000 to $1.2 million. Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt says FY2026 will require $1,246,953 in reserves, which is unsustainable for future years.
The board is proposing several items to combat the deficit, including closing some rural schools.
The plan includes shuttering the Atall and Hereford Schools as well as moving Whitewood 5th grade to Sturgis Williams Middle School.
The closure of the two rural schools would save $252,000 through the reduction of 2 teachers, 4 para-professionals and operating costs. Approximately 20 students would be affected by the closure.
The Whitewood move would save approximately $64,000 through the reduction of one teacher. The plan also includes combining the Whitewood and Rural Principal, which was previously one position during the 2022-2023 school year.
As expected, rural and Whitewood residents are opposed to the closure of those schools.
Wormstadt says tonight is a presentation on the plan with a special meeting set for later this month for possible action.
Along with the proposed reductions and cuts, the board is also looking at other solutions, including a $350,000 tax increase and efficiencies proposed up to $470,000 to help with the deficit.