STURGIS, S.D. – The Meade 46-1 School Board got an update this week on discussions regarding a rural request for a partial reorganization with the Faith 46-2 School District.

Superintendent Wayne Wormstadt says information has been shared with the Faith Superintendent and Business Manager and both the Faith and Meade 46-1 boards would need to decide if they want to move forward.

Wromstadt says the plan would need to be beneficial to both districts.

He pointed out that the general fund revenue net needed to run the rural schools based on 2024-2025 numbers is actual expenditures minus the overhead. That is about $700,000 and capital outlay would need to be transferred to the general fund for all rural schools east of Sturgis to make that a break-even point.

If reorganization were to take place, the South Dakota Department of Revenue would also have to determine how the Ag valuation would be calculated.

If both school boards were to move forward, it would require a vote of both boards to create a draft plan within 180-to-270 days for submission to the South Dakota Department of Education. If the plan is then approved by the D.O.E., both school districts would have to hold a vote requiring approval of both districts.