Public meeting set for Jan. 20 in Wilson; special board meeting Jan. 21 in Claflin

CLAFLIN — A communitywide meeting regarding the future of Wilson Elementary School will be held 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at the WES gym.

Following the public comment meeting on the 20th, the USD 112 Board of Education will have a special meeting to vote on the fate of the property at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at its regular meeting site at Central Plains Jr./Sr. High School.

Both meetings were set during the board’s regular Jan. 12 meeting.

Superintendent Bobby Murphy addressed the board about the situation.

“We’ve had constituents come to us since I’ve been here visiting about land transfers, so I just wanted to be very open and honest that we’ve had two school districts reach out to us that are interested in land transfer,” Murphy said. “I’ve spoken with the two school districts, Russell and Sylvan/Lucas, both of which are interested in a land transfer. They are very interested in it, but only under the understanding that Wilson Elementary School would have to be shut down before the land transfer could happen.

“After Sylvan and Russell ran the numbers with the population of students that we have they can’t financially support the elementary school in Wilson. To be clear, with the population that we have now decreasing, we can’t guarantee from year-to-year what that’s going to look like financially for our district in the future, as well.”

Murphy presented the board with some current numbers.

“I do want to share a little data with you to explain the financial situation for us, but also for Russell and Sylvan if you guys decide to move in that direction,” he said. “Last year we absorbed two positions in Wilson, but we’re still estimating to expend between $250,000 $300,000 more than what state aid in revenue is to keep that building open with the student population that we have. We have not gone through our audit yet, so that’s why it is estimated.

“I’ve spoken with the two school districts, Russell and Sylvan/ Lucas, both of which are interested in a land transfer. They are very interested in it, but only under the understanding that Wilson Elementary School would have to be shut down before the land transfer could happen.”

Bobby Murphy

USD 112 Superintendent “Just to go through the K through 6 population over the last three years at Wilson, in 2022-23 they had 87 students up there. In 23-24 we had 75, in 24-25 we had 69. At the start of this year, we had 66, and as of right now, for K through 6, we are at 58. Talking with surrounding superintendents in Ellsworth, Sylvan/Lucas and Russell, they are estimating that they are transporting between 28 and 35 elementary school kids out of Wilson and Dorrance to their schools.”

Murphy broke down the cost per student based on spending at the two elementary schools.

“At Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood last year, we spent just under $13,000 per student, and in Wilson last year, we spent just over $28,000 per student,” he said. “It’s not really anyone’s fault that there is that kind of discrepancy, its just the enrollment numbers whenever you only have that many kids.”

Murphy explained that neither Russell nor Sylvan/Lucas could afford the school.

“That just hinges the question, is a land transfer wanted, and if it’s wanted, it would be under the understanding that that building would not be able to be open,” Murphy said.

The board agreed that public input was needed before any decision was made, and by consensus agreed to hold the public meeting on Jan. 20.

In other business:

• The board elected new officers. Tamara Dody was reelected board president and Joshua Hurley was reelected as board vicepresident, both by unanimous

vote.

• Following an executive session, the following substitutes were approved: Travis Johnson — Substitute teacher Jane Oeser — Substitute teacher Sherri Nixon — Substitute teacher Janelle Robson — Substitute teacher Robie Lamia — Substitute cook Charlene Pearson — Substitute bus driver Kristina Marsell — Substitute bus driver

• The board approved a resolution to establish meeting dates and places for 2026. The board will meet for regular monthly meetings at 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at the CPJSHS cafeteria, with the exception of the months of February and March. In February, the board will meet at CPES. In March, the board will meet at WES.

• The board approved a resolution to publish the vacancy for a board seat in the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter. The vacancy is caused by Cherilee Ward’s decision not to seek reelection or accept the seat as a write-in candidate. She represented District 2 — Dorrance. Applicants must reside in this district. Fifteen days after the publication of the notice, the board may appoint a new board member.

• The board approved the low bid of $9,439 by Brentwood Builders for the CPJSHS gym.

• The board approved a facility usage request for the CPJSHS gym on June 1.

The next meeting will be a special meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 21 at the CPJSHS cafeteria to discuss the future of WES. The next regular meeting of the board will be 6 p.m. Feb. 9 at CPES, Holyrood.