H-BC School Board to appoint new member

Hills-Beaver Creek Board of Education will choose a new member to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Dan LaRock from the board.
On a voice vote Monday night, board members passed a resolution declaring a school board vacancy by resignation. LaRock did not attend the meeting. Members Renee Knobloch and Tim Bosch were also not at the evening meeting.
The resolution established a process for filling the board vacancy with an interim appointee at the next board meeting. An election for a one-year term will take place in November.
LaRock’s resignation is effective April 15.
In his letter to Superintendent Todd Holthaus, Principal Andrew Kellenberger and the board, LaRock explained why he couldn’t complete his current term that ends in 2022.
“I am in a season of life where my personal and professional commitments have outpaced my capacity to serve them all effectively,” LaRock wrote.
“As such, remaining in this elected position would be a disservice to the district as I cannot meet the time and meeting requirements any longer. Please know that this is an incredibly difficult decision for me.”
Board chairman Arlyn Gehrke said, “He is a very good board member. He will be missed.”
Fellow board member Ethan Rozeboom said, “Dan is a strong advocate for the community as a whole and the school district. It’s unfortunate he’s unable to finish his term out with us.”
LaRock was first elected to the board in 2015.
After the meeting, Superintendent Holthaus reflected on LaRock’s contribution to the school district.
“He always focused on doing the best for our Hills-Beaver Creek students. His get-it-done attitude assisted the district greatly in getting through some difficult financial situations early on in his time on the board,” Holthaus said.
“Dan’s expertise in so many areas was such an asset to the Hills-Beaver Creek School District.”
While LaRock resigned his position on the school board, he said he would continue to support the district.
“Should the need arise for my participation in a subcommittee or focus group of some kind, I would be honored to consider serving as a committee member,” LaRock said.
“The district has my full personal support, and that of my family, now and into the future.”
LaRock works with SilverStone Group in Sioux Falls, and he is involved in the operation of Rock Ranch, Hills, with his wife, Marie LaRock.
 
In other business, the H-BC board:
•approved the increase in out-of-state tuition to $5,629.
•accepted the resignation of Tyler Johnson as K-12 art teacher at the end of the current school year.
•assigned Brianna Leuthold as part-time, long-term substitute for first grade beginning around May 10 and effective through the end of the current school year.