State of the District

During the 2020–2021 school year, our district launched a comprehensive strategic planning process designed to gather valuable input from staff, students, and community members. This collaborative effort helped define our shared priorities and establish clear direction for district improvement.

As our district has continued to grow and evolve, we have refined and updated our strategic priorities to reflect current needs and goals. For the 2025–2026 school year, our strategic plan is organized around five key focus areas: Communication, Academics, Student Culture, School Pride & Community Engagement, and School Management. Each of these categories represents a vital component of our commitment to student success and district excellence.

• Communication – Strengthening transparency, engagement, and collaboration among staff, students, families, and the community through clear, consistent, and inclusive communication.
• Academics – Fostering a data-driven learning environment that promotes academic achievement, accountability, and lifelong learning.
• Student Culture – Creating a supportive, structured environment that encourages positive behavior, academic growth, and readiness for the future.
• School Pride & Community Engagement – Building stronger partnerships with parents and community members to enhance school pride and shared ownership of student success.
• School Management – Developing a culture of continuous improvement with a focus on effective operations, smart enrollment strategies, and long-term sustainability.

In partnership with Studer Education, we continue to enhance our planning and accountability efforts. A key addition to our process is the use of a progress monitoring system that helps track and evaluate our success across all focus areas. This data driven approach supports informed decision making by both district leadership and the school board, ensuring that our initiatives remain aligned with student and community needs.

Our strategic plan continues to serve as a roadmap that guides growth, improvement, and innovation across all areas of the district. With the ongoing support of our dedicated staff, engaged families, and committed community partners, we are confident that our shared focus will lead to meaningful and lasting progress for every student.
 

Our district’s enrollment data over the past several years continues to reflect a story of steady growth and resilience. Since the 2016–2017 academic year, enrollment has increased from 479 students to 502 students in 2025–2026—an overall growth of nearly 5%. This long-term upward trend highlights the vitality of our district and the strong support our community continues to show for public education.

Even during challenging periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020–2021, our district demonstrated remarkable stability, reaching 518 students that year. While enrollment experienced some fluctuation in recent years, including a high of 529 students in 2021–2022 and 523 in 2024–2025, the current figure of 502 students reflects the natural ebb and flow that occurs in small districts.

K-12 Student Enrollment
2016-2017:  479
2017-2018:  487
2018-2019:  511
2019-2020:  502
2020-2021:  518
2021-2022:  529
2022-2023:  510
2023-2024:  512
2024-2025:  523
2025-2026:  502

We currently have 37 students who are homeschooled and 44 students who have chosen to open enroll into our district. These numbers reflect the diverse educational options families are pursuing while also demonstrating that our district remains an attractive choice for students from outside our immediate community.

At the same time, 79 students have opted to open enroll out of the district, reminding us of the importance of continuous improvement and innovation. To ensure our district remains the first choice for families, we will continue to strengthen our curriculum, broaden extracurricular opportunities, and enhance communication with parents so that our programs and services align closely with their educational expectations and goals.

Our district remains committed to meeting the needs of a changing student population while fostering a supportive, engaging environment for all learners. We are sincerely grateful for the ongoing support of our families, staff, and community partners as we work together to ensure our district continues to grow, thrive, and be a destination of choice for students and families alike.
 

To accurately assess and guide student progress, we utilize a variety of assessments, including the SBAC (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) tests.

The SBAC is a state-mandated assessment administered each spring to students in grades 3–8 and previously to grade 11, providing valuable insight into student achievement across core subject areas. Beginning this year, the ACT will replace the SBAC for all high school juniors as the state’s required assessment. This transition aligns the state’s testing system with college and career readiness goals, offering a more direct measure of the skills students need for postsecondary success.

Our most recent proficiency data continues to reflect both strong performance and areas for continued growth across the district. When compared to state averages, Deuel School District demonstrates positive trends in several key areas.

In English Language Arts (ELA), our district proficiency rate has risen to 57%, exceeding the state average of 51%. In Mathematics, Deuel students achieved a 48% proficiency rate, compared to the state’s 56%, indicating a continued focus area for improvement. Meanwhile, Science proficiency stands at 59%, significantly outperforming the state average of 44% and showcasing ongoing excellence in this subject.

Clear Lake Elementary School now reports a 61% proficiency rate in English Language Arts (ELA), 51% proficiency in Math, and a Science proficiency rate of 58%. Compared to the earlier rates of 39% in ELA, 44% in Math, and 59% in Science, the new data indicates substantial improvements, particularly in ELA and Math.

Clear Lake Middle School shows current proficiency levels of 54% in ELA, 46% in Math, and 64% in Science. Previously, the reported rates were 57% for both ELA and Math, and 58% in Science. While ELA and Math saw slight decreases, Science proficiency increased by 6 percentage points.

Deuel High School now records a proficiency of 59% in ELA, 36% in Math, and 56% in Science. This marks a decrease in ELA (from 68%) and Math (from 38%), but a slight improvement in Science (from 54%).

The MAP test, however, is the focal point of our district’s approach to tracking academic growth. Administered three times a year, MAP Growth measures student achievement and growth across various subjects, accommodating students from kindergarten through grade twelve. MAP scores are invaluable in helping us identify individual strengths and areas for improvement, guiding our teachers as they tailor instruction to meet each student’s unique needs.

We are dedicated to transparency and partnership with families in this process, and all assessment results are shared with them, fostering a shared commitment to supporting each student’s journey. Thank you to our teachers, students, and families for their dedication to academic growth and achievement.

Our goal is to prepare every student to be ready for both career and life success.  To support this goal, we provide a wide range of opportunities for students to explore and develop skills relevant to both postsecondary education and the workforce, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that offer hands-on experience and foundational skills across fields such as Architecture & Construction, Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Information Technology, Finance & Business Management, and Health Science. 

This year, our Health Science program has expanded significantly to provide students with even more immersive, career-aligned opportunities. In addition to foundational coursework, students can now explore specialized classes such as Introduction to Sports Medicine, Introduction to Emergency Medical Services, Health Science Careers I – Exploration, and Medical Terminology (which offers college credit through MA115). These courses give students an authentic look into health-related professions while developing both technical and soft skills needed for success in the medical field.

Students also gain hands-on training using advanced simulation equipment, including a SAM4 Auscultation Manikin that allows them to practice identifying heart, lung, and vascular sounds, as well as perform key clinical skills such as blood pressure monitoring, patient transfers, and tracheostomy care. The addition of a fully functional Sports Medicine Taping Table and Nursing Anne Manikin further enhances our students’ learning experience by allowing them to practice real-world techniques in a safe, controlled environment.

Through these new learning tools and expanded course offerings, Deuel’s Health Science program continues to prepare students for high-demand careers while fostering the confidence and competence needed to succeed in postsecondary education and beyond.

In addition to CTE, we offer dual enrollment courses in partnership with the South Dakota Board of Regents. Through dual enrollment, high school students can take college-level courses that count for both high school and college credit. Taught by qualified professors, these courses cover the same material as those offered to college students, giving our students a valuable head start on their higher education journey. By earning credits early, students can save both time and money as they transition into college.

All seniors also participate in a Capstone experience during the school year, where they consolidate and apply their high school learning in a meaningful, career-related project. This student-driven experience is tailored to each student's chosen career cluster or pathway, providing practical exposure and enhancing their college and career readiness. The year culminates in a Senior Expo, a public event held twice a year where students present their projects to judges and the community.

Our district is proud to report high levels of student engagement and achievement that exceed state averages. With an attendance rate of 96%, well above the state average of 87%, Deuel students are consistently present and ready to learn. This strong attendance contributes to our impressive on-time graduation rate of 95%, compared to the state’s 86%, and an overall high school completion rate of 98%, surpassing the state average of 91%. Additionally, 72% of our graduates go on to pursue higher education, reflecting our district’s commitment to preparing students for lifelong learning and success beyond high school.

The Deuel School District remains committed to maintaining a safe, secure, and positive environment for our students. Now in the second year of our enhanced safety initiatives, we continue to refine and strengthen our systems, ensuring that the protocols and facility improvements put in place last year remain effective and responsive to our district’s needs.

The safety upgrades completed last year, including the west side one way street, improved parking lot design, and consolidated campus layout, have proven to make a meaningful difference in daily operations. Traffic congestion has been reduced, the pickup and drop off process is smoother, and students benefit from having all instructional spaces located under one roof, minimizing the need to move between buildings during the school day.

Our secure entrances at both the elementary and high school levels continue to support strong visitor management practices. All visitors check in through the main office and receive a visible visitor badge before entering other parts of the building. Staff members also wear identification badges at all times, reinforcing a culture of awareness and accountability.

Our expanded video surveillance system, added as part of the recent building project, continues to provide thorough coverage of the school grounds and buses. This technology supports our efforts to stay alert, discourage unsafe behavior, and respond quickly when concerns arise.

This past spring, the district experienced a lockdown event due to a potential threat reported in the area. While the situation was ultimately determined to be non-threatening, the incident served as an important real-world test of our emergency preparedness. Our staff and students responded calmly and effectively, following established protocols exactly as trained. The experience affirmed that our safety systems and procedures work as intended and that our continued emphasis on training and preparedness is making a difference.

Student safety remains our highest priority. We will continue to review and strengthen our policies, training, and infrastructure to ensure that every member of the Deuel School District community feels safe, supported, and prepared.
 

The success of the Deuel School District is powered by the dedication, experience, and expertise of our entire team. Our teachers, averaging 15 years of experience, form a talented group of 38 highly qualified professionals across diverse specialties: 5 Special Education teachers, 18 Elementary teachers, 5 Middle School teachers, and 10 High School teachers. Additionally, 25% of our staff hold advanced degrees.

Our School Board, along with our dedicated administrators and technology coordinator, continues to provide strong leadership that drives our district forward. Our school counselor plays a vital role in supporting students’ emotional well-being and academic success, while our career coordinator helps students explore career pathways and guides seniors through scholarship opportunities to achieve their postsecondary goals. In response to the growing number and diverse needs of our special education students, the district also added a Special Education Coordinator this year to enhance services, strengthen collaboration, and ensure every student receives the individualized support they deserve.

Beyond our teaching staff, we are grateful for the hard work of our 17 paraprofessionals, 10 bus drivers, 2 administrative assistants, assistant business manager, 5 kitchen staff, and 4 custodians. Their dedication and expertise contribute daily to a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for our students.

Additionally, our partnership with the Northeast Educational Services Cooperative continues to provide essential special education support, including Early Childhood Identification, Special Education services, Occupational and Physical Therapy, School Psychology, and Speech-Language Pathology.

Every staff member in the Deuel School District plays an essential role in making our schools a place of growth and opportunity. We thank our entire team for their tireless efforts and commitment to our students and community.
 

The Deuel School District, like many others across South Dakota, continues to grapple with a critical teacher shortage that is impacting rural schools statewide. In recent years, the number of applicants for teaching positions has sharply declined across many areas, and despite our attractive location near Watertown and Brookings and the appeal of small-town living that has traditionally drawn educators, fewer individuals are entering the field of education. There have been significant drops in enrollment in teacher preparation programs, with some subject areas seeing little to no new students, resulting in limited pools of qualified candidates for school districts. The state has introduced programs to fast-track the certification of paraprofessionals, but these efforts have yet to fully address the growing demand for licensed educators. As a district, we remain committed to seeking creative solutions that uphold high-quality instruction and strong support for our students, and we deeply appreciate the resilience, flexibility, and dedication of our staff as we navigate these ongoing challenges together.

The Deuel School District remains dedicated to building strong, meaningful connections with families and the broader community, understanding that genuine engagement is vital to student success. As part of our strategic plan, we established a standing Focus Group that meets quarterly and brings together parents and teachers to discuss school updates, share perspectives, and provide valuable feedback. Although we are no longer formally partnered with the South Dakota Family Engagement Center, we continue to utilize the tools, frameworks, and data they provided such as insights from the Family Friendly Walk Through to guide decision making and enhance our efforts to connect families with the school.

Regular input from families and staff also informs our work, with annual survey results consistently identifying communication as an area for improvement. To better support clear and consistent messaging, the district continues to use a Digital Media Coordinator to oversee social media, district website content, and outreach. Our expanded communication tools include Infinite Campus, the Remind app, Facebook, the district webpage, and traditional methods such as the local newspaper, phone calls, texts, and emails. Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative environment that keeps families informed, engaged, and connected to the Deuel School District.

Regular feedback from families and staff plays an important role in shaping our efforts, with annual survey results consistently highlighting communication as an area for continued growth. To strengthen clarity and consistency in our messaging, the district continues to rely on a Digital Media Coordinator to manage social media, district website content, and broader outreach. Our communication tools now span Infinite Campus, the Remind app, Facebook, the district webpage, and traditional methods such as the local newspaper, phone calls, texts, and emails. Collectively, these efforts demonstrate our commitment to maintaining a transparent, inclusive, and collaborative environment that keeps families informed, engaged, and connected to the Deuel School District.

The 2025-2026 budget mirrors the district's priorities with allocations to key areas. The General Fund anticipates $5,052,860 in revenue, including wind energy and local tax stream, while planned expenditures and transfers total $5,432,245. For the Capital Outlay Fund, revenues are projected at $2,082,003, with expenditures and transfers totaling $1,518,226, emphasizing continued investment in district facilities and technology.

• Special Education revenues are budgeted at $1,216,847, while expenditures and transfers total $1,353,085, resulting in a draw from the fund balance. The increase in expenditures reflects the rising number of special education students, additional out-of-district placements, and the creation of a Special Education Director position.
   
• Food Service revenues, including a $100,000 transfer from the General Fund, are $406,000, matching planned expenditures.
   

Significant wind energy projects continue to be vital contributors to district finances. Since 2021, cumulative revenue is expected to exceed $4.7 million by 2036, stemming from NSP - Minnesota Crowned Ridge II, Deuel Harvest Wind Energy, and Tatanka Ridge Wind LLC. Additionally, the South Deuel Wind Energy Center is still expected to begin operations in 2027, bringing further annual revenue. These projects make it possible to mitigate budget constraints and fund essential improvements. The district's share of wind farm taxes follows the statutory phase-out schedule after the first five years of production, ensuring systematic and predictable revenue reductions thereafter. 

Unlike many South Dakota school districts, the Deuel School District neither relies on a tax opt-out nor maintains any bond payments outside of its capital outlay fund. At this time, the district also does not utilize state permitted capital outlay flexibility-specifically, it has not transferred up to 45% of capital outlay tax revenue into the general fund, a strategy many districts use to support operational costs. South Dakota law limits how much a district can generate from capital outlay by imposing two strict caps: the “Growth + 3% Limitation” or the “$3,400 Per Student Limitation,” whichever is lower for the year. This ensures that capital outlay revenue remains controlled, requiring districts to carefully track both student numbers and statewide growth trends when planning for property and facility needs.

Through careful financial planning, the Deuel School District commits to high-quality education, staff development, and facility enhancement. The district strives for continuous improvement in all areas-academics, infrastructure, and community engagement. Stakeholder collaboration remains core to the district's strategy, with ongoing feedback welcomed to shape the future success of all students. Regular updates and open communication channels enable families, staff, and the broader community to remain integral partners in district progress. 

At the Deuel School District, our mission is to empower students to become lifelong learners who are personally accountable and responsible members of society. We believe that education is a shared responsibility, one that involves the dedication of our staff, families, and community. Together, we strive to foster a culture of respect, open communication, and personal responsibility while ensuring every student has access to the opportunities and resources needed for individual success. Through high academic and professional standards, we are preparing all students for a bright and productive future. Thank you for being part of this important mission.