5% raise for all staff approved by two votes after members left

What happened

On March 11, 2026, after a closed session, the chair and one member left the meeting. The three remaining members approved a 5% cost-of-living raise for all certified and non-certified staff for 2026-27, by two yes votes and one not voting. The same group accepted a $282,660 cybersecurity grant and a Sitting Bull College dual-credit agreement.

Why it matters to families

A raise for every employee is one of the school's largest yearly costs. It was approved without a budget or cost estimate in the minutes, and before the 2026-27 budget was adopted in September.

The evidence

March 11, 2026 minutes, Motion #8: 'approve of a 5% cost of living increase for all certified and non-certified staff for the 26-27 school year', 2-YES 0-NO 1-NOT VOTING.

The source