Facilities Study 2021-2022

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Forward 2024  

In its five-year vision, the Yankton School District is implementing programming to meet diverse student learning needs and continue to rank among the highest in South Dakota for academic achievement. Within the Forward 2024 Strategic Plan, goals were set to implement a comprehensive plan for an early childhood facility and provide safe, secure, and updated environments. 

Forward 2024 Strategic Plan

Discussion Phase 1: Final Scenario e2.0

A Community Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 19, 2022, from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm at the YHS Theater.  

YSD Community Task Force on Elementary Facilities Provides Draft Recommendations and Continues Public Meetings

A Community Task Force on Elementary School Facilities was formed to study the Yankton School District Preschool through 5th grade elementary school facilities and develop a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan for recommendation to the Yankton School Board. A draft of the committee's recommendations was presented at a Special School Board Meeting on February 28, 2022. If you were unable to attend, you are welcome to view this meeting by accessing the following link:

Yankton School District 63-3 Special School Board Meeting

The proposal to address immediate needs would not require a bond election, rather Capital Outlay Certificates for which the school district has budgeted within the current Capital Outlay funds. Thus, there would be no increase in property taxes and no need for a bond election. The next steps beyond the immediate needs are outlined in the proposed recommendations of the committee. The charge of the committee's work is to provide a comprehensive Facilities Master Plan for our elementary schools. The Yankton School District and our community would need to decide in approximately four or five years as to how to proceed with the other three elementary school buildings –  Beadle, Lincoln and Stewart. Depending upon what is decided at that time, there may or may not be a need for some type of Bond Election. 

Additional information regarding the Community Task Force recommendation can be found by clicking the dropdowns below. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't we fix Webster?

Wester Elementary School falls within a flood zone that poses difficulties. If any additions or alterations are needed, they would require special design and construction provisions, while still being threatened by floods. There are also significant traffic flow challenges before and after school. The Task Force determined construction projects at Webster would not be fiscally responsible long term. A new school will be built to house early childhood and kindergarten.

What will the new building look like?

If the YSD School Board decides to move forward, a planning group including architects will work to determine the design of the building. The design of the school will reflect the needs and values of our community. Capital Outlay Certificates will fund the recommended option.

Where will the new building be located?

If the YSD School Board decides to move forward, available sites will be reviewed. The sites will need to be suitable for the proposed building as well as future additions and programming goals. The Task Force will present a final Facilities Master Plan to the School Board on Monday, May 9, 2022, during the regular Board meeting at 5:00 PM in the YHS Theater. 

How will this project be funded if NO tax increase is needed?

The YSD will fund the purchase of land and the completion of the building as recommended in Phase 1 through Capital Outlay Certificates.

What are the next steps?

The YSD Facilities Task Force identified that not all goals from the Forward 2024 plan are achieved in Phase 1. However, Phase 1 does not prohibit any future goals or activities, yet it does attain a major priority. The following ideas for next steps build upon the work and goals started in Phase 1.

  1. Build an addition onto the Early Childhood-Kindergarten building to include all 1st grade classrooms.

  2. Build additions onto Stewart and Lincoln in order to provide space for capacity growth as well as provide adequate learning environments for educational delivery.

  3. Beadle grades 2-5 relocate to Lincoln and Stewart Elementary and close Beadle.