STURGIS, S.D. – The Meade 46-1 School Board hosted a special meeting last night in which they took public comment on the district’s proposed financial planning for 2026, which attempts to tackle a nearly $1.25 million dollar budget deficit.
Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt says the deficit is the result of lower enrollment numbers for the district and in order to make up the difference, the district is discussing several options, including closing two rural schools, moving Whitewood 5th grade students to Sturgis and a $350,000 tax increase.
The closures, affecting Atall and Hereford Schools, and the Whitewood plan drew comments and concerns from the public last night. Citizens provided input on each of the district’s plans affecting the budget in a more than five-hour meeting.
Wormstadt says if the board decides not to close Atall and Hereford nor send Whitewood 5th grade students to Sturgis, they would need to find another way to make up the deficit.
Wormstadt says a tax opt out is also an option, but if those get referred, they need 60-percent approval to pass.
The board took no action Tuesday night on the budget. Wormstadt says the board will need to make a decision on the school closures and the proposed Whitewood move by their first December meeting. Other budget items would be decided in the first part of 2026.