Board earns gold status for eighth year

The Hill City School District Board of Education met Tuesday, Oct. 13, and had many positive recognitions. 

Superintendent Blake Gardner began the meeting with some “good news.” Gardner presented a plaque to the board and announced that for the eighth consecutive year, the board has earned gold status from the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD). 

“The annual school board recognition program is designed to recognize school boards for their dedicated service to students, staff, and the community,” said Gardner. “Honestly, it’s quite an honor. It shows your commitment to professional development.”

Gardner also recognized principals Samantha Weaver, Joe Noyes and Todd Satter for Principal Appreciation Month in October.

“We are beyond fortunate to have strong leadership at the principal position,” said Gardner.

Weaver has been serving as principal in Hill City for the last eight years and has 30 total years in education. Satter has 40 years in education, serving 24 of those as principal in Hill City. Noyes has served as assistant principal in Hill City for five of his 14 years in education.

“It’s kind of fun when you look at the wealth of experience and the institutional knowledge and educational best practices that they model,” said Gardner. “It’s a reason that we are a high-performing school. Their standard of excellence is very high, so kudos to our principals.”

Board president Eric Lind reported that as part of a strategic planning meeting members of the board and other staff members toured the Industrial Arts room and were able to see the new welding booths.

“Which are impressive, but it’s interesting to see that room and how crowded it is while students are working in there,” said Lind. “It will be interesting to see the opportunities that exist for how that might look in the future.”

Gardner noted that Dr. Tim Frederick, the superintendent of Custer Schools, would welcome a visit to its Career and Technical Education facility and Hermosa Elementary School at any time the board would like to take a tour. 

Satter highlighted homecoming festivities and the college fair and construction fair that were offered to the high school students. 

“We’re trying to have something for all the kids that have different postsecondary plans,” said Satter.

He also discussed a volunteer ACT prep course that has 12 students enrolled.

“These are kids that have already taken the ACT, and they want to improve their math part of the ACT,” said Satter. “It will be really interesting to see every Wednesday from here until March and April, when the kids take this, what kind of an improvement there will be.”

In the superintendent report, Gardner shared that he would be presenting at the South Dakota School Superintendent’s Association Leadership Conference in Keystone Oct. 15 and also at the Impact Leadership Conference at Crazy Horse  Oct. 27. 

“What I love to do is talk about our school. I love to talk about our culture. I love to talk about our team. We have a really good reputation right now, and that makes me very proud,” said Gardner. “We realize that we have area for growth just like everybody. But, I’m really proud of what we all represent.” 

He added, “It is awesome educators, amazing kids, supportive parents and an engaged community.”

The next school board meeting is Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. in high school room 202.