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Dell Rapids Little League Baseball Sign-Up

March 1, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The 2016 Dell Rapids Little League Baseball registration is under way. This year the Dell Rapids Little League is again using online registration. The early registration period runs until March 15th. From March 15th until April 30th, a $10.00 late fee will be applied to the costs. There will be four divisions again this year:

Coach Pitch: 6 to 7 years of age
Transition League: 7 to 8 years of age
Pee-Wees: 9 to 10 years of age
Midgets: 11 to 12 years of age

The cut-off date for each division ins May 1st. The cost of the Coach Pitch and Transition League divisions is $45.00. The cost for the Pee-Wee and Midget divisions is $55.00. A $5.00 off coupon will be automatically deducted from the cost if the player re-uses the hat from last year.

To register for the 2016 season, go to the Dell Rapids Little League website, www.dellrapidsbaseball.com, and click on DR Online Registration link.

Dells Nursing and Rehab Senior Prom

March 1, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dells Nursing and Rehab Center held their annual “Senior Prom” on Saturday, February 20th. The event was open to families of the residents to join together for a formal afternoon of photo taking, special music by Linda Johnson, and numerous appetizers and champagne. The program ended with the crowning of the king and queen, who were voted on by staff, family, and visitors.

The new king and queen are Don Ljunggren and Aloha King.

Dell Rapids Student to Tour Taiwan

February 24, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

ORANGE CITY, Iowa—Jordan Stone, a student at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa, will tour with the college’s a-cappella choir during its spring break tour of Taiwan March 5–14.

The 44-member ensemble will perform at a variety of venues, including public concerts, private events, church worship services, middle schools, high schools, universities and hospitals. “We are partnering with the National Presbyterian Church of Taiwan, which has many existing outreaches and relationships already established in the area,” says Dr. Thomas Holm, professor of music and conductor of the choir. “We are offering our music as an extension of their work.”

The tour will begin and end in the capital city of Taipei. Students will also spend some time in the eastern area of Hualien.

The choir’s repertoire will include a variety of styles, texts and languages. Because the performance venues will vary significantly, Holm is tailoring the concert program to each setting and audience. “We will present sections of sacred music, of spirituals and gospel, and of virtuosic pieces,” says Holm. “We are intentionally showcasing a lot of favorite, high-quality American music, but we are also learning some Taiwanese pieces.” For one concert, the ensemble will rehearse and sing with a local children’s choir. First, they’ll perform a popular Taiwanese love song, followed by a gospel setting of “Amazing Grace.”

“We have been working on our cultural understanding of Taiwan’s history, politics, religion, educational traditions and various ethnic groups,” says Holm. “We are also working on spiritual preparation so we are ready and eager to serve, learn, accept and love. We’re hoping to see God work in and through us.”

Stone is a sophomore and humanities major at Northwestern College. She sings soprano in the choir. Stone is the daughter of Dane and Jody Stone of Dell Rapids.
Northwestern College is a Christian college of more than 1,200 students in Orange City, Iowa. Rated the nation’s seventh-best baccalaureate college by Washington Monthly and a top-10 Midwestern college by U.S. News & World Report magazine, Northwestern provides an education committed to academic rigor and a Christ-centered worldview.
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by Amanda Kundert, amanda.kundert@nwciowa.edu, 712-707-7371

Dell Rapids Superintendent Happy HB1182 Passes House on Second Attempt

February 22, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

On Thursday, February 18, 2016, HB1182 failed to pass on a 46-27 vote with one absent; it needed a two-thirds majority to pass. The bill, which increases teacher’s pay along with other tax measures by increasing state sales tax by half a percent, was proposed by the Governor’s Office.

Dell Rapids School District Superintendent Dr. Summer Schultz told Big Sioux Media, “I would like to thank our legislators for their time and commitment to the state of South Dakota. I want to remind them that I will not always agree with their decisions, but I appreciate the time they have given me to share information about Dell Rapids Public School.”

Opponents to HB1182 have stated there are other ways to fund teacher pay. Schultz said that she is open to listening to those options, but said, “Look at school finances more carefully. If there is a plan substantial and creditable, show administrators, teachers, and the public. Until than, move forward with 1182.”

She explained when opponents bring up the surplus in school districts they are not seeing the whole picture. If using money from reserves is to fund increases in teacher pay, it is a one-year stopgap.

“Every school district needs to put together a Capital Outlay Plan for five years. The money from the Capital Outlay is spent on textbooks, technology upgrades, and things like when a bus goes down and needs to be replaced. If we take that money and use it for teacher pay, it affects those areas in the school district,” said Schultz.

Another proposal is to find money in the state budget. “I question what part of the Governor’s proposed budget will be cut to make this happen. The current plan calls for an additional $65 million which is an approximate 6% cut from somewhere else,” Schultz said.

“The Blue Ribbon task force pointed out that there is a large discrepancy among states. (In Dell Rapids) there have been candidates from other states that have looked in the area but it is hard for them to take that kind of pay decrease, so when competing for a teacher looking at positions between two neighboring states, it is difficult to compete pay wise. We, Dell Rapids School District, continue to see the number of applicants decrease, and the fear is that the pool will continue to get lower,” added Schultz.

HB1182 received reconsideration after a 44-21 vote on Friday, February 19th, to revisit the bill. HB1182 was added to the agenda for Monday, February 22nd. This time HB1182 passed by a 47-21 vote with two excused. The bill will now head to the State Senate.

Schultz was very happy with the turnout of the reconsideration. “I am elated for the teachers of Dell Rapids and all of South Dakota! This is a pivotal point in the session, and I’m hopeful the Senate will also move the bill through. We will watch closely the Senate Bills that contain the meat of the formula and how it will all come together for SD districts,” she said.

Council Gives Direction on Snow Removal

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Snow removal was a hot topic during the last Dell Rapids City Council meeting held on Tuesday, February 16^th. Dell Rapids City Ordinance 783 says that property owners are to clear their sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of a snowfall. If the property owner fails to remove snow and ice from the sidewalks within the 24 hours, the city will have the snow removed and charge the property owner the cost to remove the snow along with a $50 fine.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “Last time we talked about this, the consensus of the council was to enforce on a complaint basis.”

Alderman Mike Sterud made a comment about the ordinance. “It shouldn’t take a neighbor to complain about snow and ice in order to use the sidewalk. There are people that need to use the sidewalk, and there are people that want to use the sidewalk. I see kids, people with pets walking on the roads…As a homeowner I would feel guilty calling to complain about my neighbor. It should be there to use. The other side of that, no one wants to feel like they are being policed by the city….I’d say for the majority of the community, most people clear their sidewalks. It’s just a few that ignore it, and it’s not being enforced.”

Members of the community also spoke about the council’s decision to enforce the ordinance on a complaint basis. Jeremy Merry said, “This is one of my pet peeves. I’ve got several neighbors in my area that will not do it.” He also mentioned, “I’ve got elderly people in my neighborhood that can’t go out for walk because they won’t remove the snow.”

Teri Fiegen mentioned, “I don’t understand how you can pick and choose which ordinances you want to enforce and which ones you don’t want to enforce.”

After much discussion between the council and members of the audience on hand speaking on the issue, Sterud made a motion to enforce the snow removal ordinance, which was seconded by Alderman Mike Geraets. The motion passed unanimously.

Fiegen then asked, “How will this be enforced?”

“The Code Enforcement Officer will be going around the community and addressing all the sidewalks that haven’t been,” replied Weiland.

New Stop Signs to be Placed in Dell Rapids

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Three new stop signs will be placed in Dell Rapids. The city council made the decision to approve the placement of three new stop signs during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 16th.

Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Deputy and School Resource Officer Mike Walker made recommendations to the council about two of the stop signs during a meeting held on February 1st. His recommendation was to place stop signs at the intersection of 9th St and State Ave at the northwest corner of Dell Rapids St Mary High School.

City Administrator Justin Weiland said, “The one thing that I think, rather than the public works department just going out and throwing up a stop sign in a location, is to have it documented by the city and have the council approve the installation of stop signs.”

Weiland stated to the council that stop signs would be placed on State Ave, keeping 9th St a through street. Weiland also mentioned that the city has been approached by several indivduals in the past few years about placing a stop sign on Powderhorn Rd at the intersection of 10th St.

“I think it’s a point that it does warrant it with the addition of Shopko, Ace Hardware, and the grocery store….it’s a logical place to put a stop sign.”

Alderwoman Mary Klockman made the motion which was seconded by Alderman Mike Sterud. The motion passed unanimously.

National FFA Week

February 20, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

National FFA Week will be held February 20th-27th, and it gives FFA members an opportunity to educate the public about agriculture. The week-long tradition began in 1947 when the National FFA Board of Directors designated the week of George Washington’s birthday as National FFA Week in recognition of his legacy as an agriculturist and farmer.

The Dell Rapids FFA Chapter makes a positive difference in the lives of the members by amplifying their voice in agriculture education. Through their voices, they can boost the impact FFA has in promoting their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

Today’s FFA members are tomorrow’s leaders of America’s number one industry, agriculture.

Visit FFA.org today for more information.

2016-2017 Dell Rapids School Calendar Approved

February 15, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board approved the proposed calendar for the 2016-2017 school year during their regular meeting on Monday, February 8th, but made a couple of changes to the calendar that was proposed.

“It’s very similar to last year,” said Superintendent Dr. Summer Schultz. “It’s gone through Superintendent’s cabinet. There were just a couple of areas that I wanted to make sure I got input on, and I got it. That was on the idea of spring break and the idea of in-service. Spring break is a tough one because April 14th and 17th is Easter. I asked a couple of choices.”

Dr. Schultz then presented the proposed calendar that had a start date of August 25th, Christmas break from December 22nd-January 4th, and a spring break March 23-24.

The board then had discussions regarding the scenario of a possible bad winter and having to continue school after Memorial Day to make up for snow days.

Another topic of conversation brought up around the calendar was taking days off for state tournaments. “I feel, this is just my recommendation, that for all sports, if students want to go and parents want to excuse them, that is fine. But it’s hard for me to justify, with a school of 1,000 kids almost, to shut down when any of our teams make it to the state tournament. There’s such a big chunk of kid that are not going to those. Staff that are not going. I’m not saying that in a negative way. It’s just that a majority of people don’t go. I would recommend we try moving forward that we don’t just have a mass cancellation,” said Dr. Schultz.

After discussions about snow days and taking days off for state tournaments, the school board made slight changes to the proposed calendar. They asked that the start of school be moved to August 24th, students come back from Christmas break on January 3rd, and instead of a four-day spring break in March, two back-to-back Fridays will be no-school days. The final day of school will be Tuesday, May 23rd. The day earlier start to school and the earlier day back from Christmas break allows for a couple of extra days for snow days without having to bring students back after Memorial Day.

The change from a four-day spring break weekend to two Fridays off of sch0ol in March is the compromise for no more days off of school for state tournaments. The two Fridays that will have no school are March 10th and March 17th with coincide with the girls and boys state tournaments. School will be in session on the Thursdays of the state tournament.

The school board approved the calendar with their suggested changes along with not taking any additional days off for state tournaments starting with the 2016-2017 school year. The vote passed 4-1 with Matthew Weiland voting nay.

“Kiss the Pig” Contest at Dell Rapids School Raises Money for MS Society

February 13, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

“We are all here because we are raising money for MS,” said Dell Rapids High School Principal Ms. Kludt to a gym full of students during an assembly on Wednesday.

Students at Dell Rapids Middle School and Dell Rapids High School competed throughout the day by paying $1.00 to have a “dress up” day and to have their name entered into raffle. The middle school had a “Random Costume Day or Pajama Day”, while the high school had an “I Hate Winter” day. Students were able to purchase as many raffle tickets as they wanted all day long.

The winning school’s principal would have to kiss a pig.

“All day long I was wondering is it going to be me? Is it going to be Mr. Ruesink? I don’t know. I know how well the middle school kids raise money. It was nip and tuck there. It was just nip and tuck. So, Mr. Ruesink, you don’t have to,” Kludt announced.

At 3:00 in the afternoon, Ms. Kludt puckered up and laid a big kiss on a pig in front of the middle school and high school students at the assembly which concluded the day-long fundraising event.

The total amount of money raised during the “Kiss the Pig” contest along with the winners of the raffle prizes (Quarrier t-shirt quilt, Revo headphones, and quarry rock hitching post) will be announced during the Dell Rapids Quarrier boys basketball game on Friday, February 19th.

All the money raised will be donated to the MS Society.

The National MS Society’s current campaign is “Together, we can Kiss Goodbye to MS” for Valentine’s Day. #KissGoodbyeToMS

More information about the National MS Society can be found at their website, http://www.nationalmssociety.org/

New Projects Getting Started at Dell Rapids High School

February 9, 2016 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

One of three new projects has begun at Dell Rapids High School. Construction has begun on the west side of the school building for a brand new science classroom wing.

Superintendent Dr. Summer Schultz said, “Three science classrooms will be moved over and added to the new wing. We’ll be able to add newer technology and have room for labs. We’re really excited about it.”

The second project for the school will be new entrances for the high school and middle school and a new high school office. The high school office will be moved into the current DDN room. Work is scheduled to start sometime in April on this project.

“We’ll tighten up security in both entrances. People won’t be able to just walk into the school anymore. They will have to go through the middle school and high school offices,” said Schultz.

The third project taking place will be an upgrade to the high school locker rooms. The locker rooms will get a complete overhaul, and they will be made more modern with individual showers for the students. There will also be separate areas for the officials.

The locker rooms would have individual shower stalls rather than the current open shower area. The locker rooms would also be fitted with separate official and student areas.

Swift Construction of Sioux Falls was awarded the project after a bid of just slightly over $1.5 million. They were one of ten firms that bid for the total package of projects.

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