People and parameters picked for school funding study
Posted Monday, May 13, 2013
Members of the Legislature’s Executive Board met today to select committee members and set subject parameters for the legislative interim study on school funding, which was selected by the board in April.
Committee members will be asked to examine how the school funding formula affects a district’s decision to seek an opt-out or utilize special tax a levy, funding’s effect on graduation and technology’s relation to teaching.
“I think we need to be concerned with the funding formula…and if that’s working for schools,” Rep. Kathy Tyler (4) said at Monday’s meeting.
Legislators, who will be examining those questions and more, include:
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Rep. Jacqueline Sly (33) – Chair
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Sen. Larry Tidemann (7) – Vice Chair
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Sen. Jim Bradford (27)
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Sen. Jean Hunhoff (18)
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Sen. Al Novstrup (3)
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Sen. Billie Sutton (21)
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Sen. Bill Van Gerpen (19)
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Sen. Chuck Welke (2)
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Rep. Dan Dryden (34)
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Rep. Mary Duvall (24)
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Rep. Anne Hajek (14)
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Rep. Paula Hawks (9)
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Rep. Kathy Tyler (4)
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Rep. Mike Verchio (30)
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Rep. Dick Werner (22)
“This is a strong and diverse group charged with looking at school funding,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “I look forward to working with them in some aspect during the study.”
Legislators are typically the only people appointed to an interim study committee, but are generally expected to call upon individuals in fields related to the study topic to provide insight and information, said Sen. Corey Brown (23).
Pogany was asked to discuss the topic with the Executive Board at Monday’s meeting, where he thanked the board for selecting topic and suggested revenue sources and funding equity issues be analyzed.
“The scope of the study and the parameters set are broad enough to encompass revenue and equity,” Pogany said following the meeting. “The study has all the makings of a great starting point to improving school funding.”
For updates on the study, check the ASBSD Blog throughout the interim.
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Summer study on school funding
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2013
The “momentum” behind school funding that ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany had noted during March’s legislative recap webinars took another step in the right direction on Tuesday.
Members of the legislature’s Executive Board picked the school funding formula as a topic of study for the interim session. Fifteen legislators will be selected by the Executive Board to study the topic at a later date.
“The Executive Board’s decision is another example of the legislature’s commitment to moving forward with the discussion of how to improve school funding, which began during session,” Pogany said.
Legislators voted to give a three percent increase to the per-student allocation for the first time in three years during session. At $4,626, the 2013-14 PSA is $179 below its highpoint in 2010-11.
A return to the PSA highpoint, which would require a 3.8 percent increase, should be an advocating focus, said Pogany.
“School districts are still struggling with funding,” Pogany said. “Getting back to $4,805, while a stretch, is attainable and the study is a good forum to broach that idea.”
Pogany expected ASBSD would be involved in some form in the summer study.
Updates on the funding study’s findings will be available on the ASBSD Blog.
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No issue with line-item veto
Posted Monday, March 25, 2013
Legislators returned to the Capitol this morning to wrap up the 2013 legislative session by taking a look at three vetoes by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
The only veto related to K-12 education was the governor’s decision to line-item veto a portion of House Bill 1137, which provides $5.8 million in one-time funds for schools, is not expected to affect the funds provided for schools. ASBSD supported the bill.
Gov. Daugaard changed the appropriation of one-time dollars based on a district’s student enrollment for fiscal year 2013 instead of FY12. Gov. Daugaard noted the FY13 enrollment, which would use fall 2012 figures, would be a more accurate for the one-time appropriation.
Representatives voted 65-1 to accept the governor’s change.
For a wrap on legislative session download ASBSD’s legislative summary and review the webinar recap.
Bookmark the ASBSD blog, as we update it throughout the year with the latest news and opinions on K-12 education in South Dakota.
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What would a return to the PSA’s high point take?
Posted Thursday, March 21, 2013
Executive Director Wade Pogany mentioned he felt a growing feeling of “momentum” during the 88th legislative session on the first two nights of ASBSD’s Legislative Recap webinar (check the blog Friday for a recap of the session’s discussion).
Pogany, acknowledging the potential challenge, said school board members and administrators should focus on advocating for the per-student allocation to be returned to its high point.
“If at all possible, I’d love for us all to get back to $4,805,” Pogany said in reference to the state’s per-student allocation level of fiscal year 2011 prior to the massive 8.6 percent cut schools took in FY12.
(Click chart to enlarge.)
So, what would it take for schools to get back to that $4,805 per-student high point?
For starters, school districts received a three percent increase to the PSA during session for FY14, which was an increase of $135. The PSA increased to approximately $4,626, up from $4,491 this year. It’s the first three percent increase since FY10.
(Click chart to enlarge.)
The chart above shows the PSA’s annual increase, which includes potential FY15 increases, since FY97 – the first year of PSA implementation.
If school districts receive a three percent increase from the legislature next year for FY15, the PSA would increase by $139, up to $4,765. The increase would be $40 short of the PSA’s high point.
An increase to $4,805 for FY15 would require a 3.8 percent – or $179 – increase to the PSA by the legislature next year.
The increase would be $15 more than the highest PSA dollar increase, which was $164 in FY08. The $179 increase required to reach the PSA’s previous high point, however, pales in comparison to the $415 decrease schools took on account of the cuts made in FY12.
When K-12 funding’s “bottom fell out” in 2011, a three percent increase seemed unattainable for the time being. Two years removed from the fall out legislators returned the three percent increase.
School districts remain underfunded, but a return to the highpoint doesn’t seem so unattainable.
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No problem anticipated with Gov. veto
Posted Thursday, March 21, 2013
Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s decision to line-item veto a portion of House Bill 1137, which provides $5.8 million in one-time funds for schools, is not expected to affect the funds provided for schools.
The governor’s issue with the bill stems from the line in the bill appropriating one-time dollars based on a district’s student enrollment for fiscal year 2012, which would be fall 2011. Gov. Daugaard’s line-item veto only removes the FY12 enrollment provision.
Gov. Daugaard noted the FY13 enrollment, which would use fall 2012 figures, would be a more accurate for the one-time appropriation.
“Governor Daugaard clearly favors the one-time dollars for schools,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “The veto is just for clarification and we don’t see any issues arising because of it.”
Legislators will return to Pierre on Monday to review the veto. For updates, check the ASBSD blog.
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2013 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
Posted Friday, March 8, 2013
A summary of the key bills related to K-12 education, which passed through the legislature, is listed below.
ASBSD will also host three webinar sessions recapping legislative session on Tuesday, March 19, Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. An email with additional information will be sent next week to board presidents of each member school.
SB 235 – BUILDING SOUTH DAKOTA FUND
Establishes the Workforce Education fund, which receives thirty percent of the dollars collected for the Building South Dakota fund. The dollars would provide a 25 percent increase in state aid for ESL students, funding for CTE programs and potential dollars for education programs preparing students for the workforce.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.
SB 158 – TREATMENT CENTER FUNDING
Provides state funding for students placed in a treatment center in a district other than their home district. The bill also clarifies the discrepancy that funding for the student in the treatment center is provided by the home district.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.
SB 194 – CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS
Extends the sunset date for districts to cover certain expenditures with Capital Outlay dollars until 2018.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.
HB 1137 – ENHANCES EDUCATION
Appropriates $5.8 million, which equals $45 per student, in one-time funding for schools for FY13.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.
SB 15 – SPECIAL EDUCATION
Adjusts the tax levy and revises provisions of state aid for special education. The maximum level for the special education levy was raised to $1.552 per thousand dollars of valuation and a state aid qualifying level of $1.352. The bill sets the local effort to state aid ratio at approximately 61-39.
The extraordinary cost fund is set at $4 million. Allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.
SB 28 – PROPERTY TAX LEVIES
Provides the annual tax levy adjustment for school district’s general fund. The commercial levy was moved to $9.20 per thousand dollars of valuation– an increase of $0.572 from last year. The agricultural levy was set at $2.09 – a decrease of $0.23 from last year. The levy for owner occupied property was changed to $4.296 – an increase of $0.267 from last year.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.
HB 1165 – PROPERTY TAX LEVIES
Establishes a task force to review ag land's contribution to the local effort ratio of property tax levies for schools.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.
SB 96 – JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS
Allows school districts with enrollments under 100 to remain open if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education. Districts could share teachers, courses or curriculums among other services while students remain in their home district.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.
HB 1164 – INNOVATION GRANT
Appropriates $500,000 in one-time funding for an innovation grant program for teachers, school districts or ESAs to utilize technology in creative and innovative ways to enhance learning and achievement of their students.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.
SB 233 – CRITICAL TEACHING NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP
Appropriates $1.5 million dollars for the establishment of the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship program. The scholarship would subsequently be funded from the critical teaching needs trust fund after the initial appropriation. A variety of criteria would be used to award scholarship dollars to students enrolled in critical need teaching areas to encourage them to stay in South Dakota.
Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.
HB 1087 – “SENTINEL” PROGRAM
Allows school boards to implement Sentinel program, which arms individuals, other than law enforcement agents, with guns in and on school property. Individuals taking the Sentinel role have to complete 40-hours of firearms training. Approval of a local law enforcement agency before implementation of a program is required. A board’s decision can be referred to a vote by constituents.
Signed by Gov. Daugaard. ASBSD opposed the bill.
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Schools receive three percent increase, one-time dollars in budget
Posted Friday, March 8, 2013
The final days of the 88th legislative session entailed a lot of listening and waiting as members of the House and Senate passed or tabled a variety of bills, but the end result proved worth it.
School districts will receive a three percent increase – the first full increase in four years – raising the per-student allocation to $4,626 for the 2013-14 school year.
In addition, the legislature approved $5.8 million in one-time funds be appropriated to schools for FY13. The one-time appropriation equates to $45 per student.
“We have to walk away from legislative session very pleased with the work of our legislators,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “K-12 schools are going to get three percent, one-time money on top of that and the conversation to improve the ongoing funding source for schools was very positive.”
ASBSD will also host three webinar sessions recapping legislative session on Tuesday, March 19, Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. An email with additional information will be sent next week to board presidents of each member school.
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PER-STUDENT FUNDING – CURRENT VS. 2013 SESSION (APPROXIMATE)
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CURRENT
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2013 SESSION
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CHANGE: FY13+FY14
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PSA
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$4,491
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$4,626
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$135
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+3%
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INCLUDING ONE-TIME FUNDING (APPROXIMATE)
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YEAR
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BASE PSA
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CHANGE
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ONE-TIME
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2009-10
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$4,805
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2010-11
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$4,805
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2011-12
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$4,390
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$166
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2012-13
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$4,491
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$30.73
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2013-14
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$4,626
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$45
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K-12 APPROPRIATIONS - 2013 LEGISLTIAVE SESSION
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DESCRIPTION
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COST
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One percent, one-time funding
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$5.8 million ($45/student)
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ESL state aid increase (Increase = 25% of state aid)
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$1.9 million
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State SPED contribution
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$7.4 million
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Innovative grants for teacher, school districts and ESAs
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$500,000
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Technology upgrade grant program
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$500,000
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Off to see the Governor
Posted Friday, March 8, 2013
Three bills with important implications for K-12 education are headed to Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s desk for final approval after Representatives and Senators voted to pass conference committee recommendations.
Senate Bill 28: The amended version of the bill adjusting general fund property tax levies for school districts passed the House and Senate by 62-5 and 29-5 votes, respectively.
The commercial levy was moved to $9.20 per thousand dollars of valuation– an increase of $0.572 from last year. The agricultural levy was set at $2.09 – a decrease of $0.23 from last year. The levy for owner occupied property was changed to $4.296 – an increase of $0.267 from last year.
Senate Bill 15: The increase to the special education levy for school districts passed the House by a 63-3 vote and the Senate at 25-9.
The maximum level for the special education levy was raised to $1.552 per thousand dollars of valuation and a state aid qualifying level of $1.352. These points were included in the original proposal of SB 15.
The bills acted as a vehicle for school districts to receive the proposed three percent increase in state aid. Representatives of Gov. Daugaard’s administration warned in prior committee hearing testimony if either levy bill failed to pass the state aid increase would be in jeopardy.
Senate Bill 235: The omnibus economic development moved through the House and Senate with little resistance. Representatives voted 60-6 and Senators 31-2.
“We as a legislation managed to come together and work together to find a bipartisan compromise,” Sen. Corey Brown (23) said.
SB 235 would create the Building South Dakota fund, which would in turn establish the Workforce Education fund.
Thirty percent of the dollars collected – from fund projects tax revenue and from unclaimed property revenue from banks – for the Building South Dakota fund would be appropriated to the Workforce Education fund.
The dollars would provide a 25 percent increase in state aid for ESL students, funding for CTE programs and potential dollars for education programs preparing students for the workforce.
A conference committee met to fine tune the bill and attached amendments that included a $7 million one-time funding start up for the Building South Dakota, would not allocate dollars for the fund if the state did not provide the annual increase to K-12 education or Medicaid and added a provision that the state aid increase for ELL students for fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016 before transferring the increase to the general fund.
ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany was encouraged by the progress made in the legislation for K-12 education today.
“I think this definitely signifies a change in the mentality of the legislature on how schools are funded,” Pogany said. “These bills are a big step in the right direction for K-12 education funding.”
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
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Afternoon Update
Posted Thursday, March 7, 2013
Legislators have been locked in conference committee meetings and two different full floor sessions so far today, which has produced interesting developments.
Here’s a rundown of conference committee decisions:
Senate Bill 15: Conference committee members increased the special education levies to a maximum of $1.552 per thousand dollars of valuation and state aid qualifying level of $1.352. These points were included in the original proposal of SB 15.
Senate Bill 28: Committee members moved the commercial levy to $9.20 per thousand dollars of valuation– an increase of $0.572 from last year. The agricultural levy was set at $2.09 – a decrease of $0.23 from last year. The levy for owner occupied property was changed to $4.296 – an increase of $0.267 from last year. The new levies are slightly higher than originally proposed in SB 28.
Conference committee reports were approved by the House and must receive final approval by the Senate before heading to Gov. Dennis Daugaard.
If each levy bill is approved, K-12 education would likely receive the three percent increase in state aid proposed in the governor’s budget. Administration representatives had warned in prior committee hearing testimony if the levies were changed the increase would be in jeopardy.
“This is a really good sign of the dedication legislators have towards improving funding for K-12 education,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said.
Senate Bill 235: Conference committee members completed their work from yesterday by agreeing on a $7 million one-time funding start up for the Building South Dakota fund established by the bill and an amendment requiring the state an annual increase for K-12 schools and Medicaid before any dollars are allocated to the fund.
Another amendment passed would supply the state aid increase for ELL students, as proposed in the bill, for fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016 before transferring the increase to the general fund.
Approval of the committee report and the bill by both houses still remains.
House Bill 1239: Committee members voted to remove the Senate’s amendment to appropriate funds to the Board of Regents to cover the increase to employee health insurance costs.
HB 1239 was reverted to the version that passed House, which would authorize school districts to set a tax levy at 30 cents per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for pension and health insurance funding purposes.
There remains an uphill battle for HB 1239 as it must be approved by Senators, who voted 28-5 to amend it on Tuesday.
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
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On the fly
Posted Thursday, March 7, 2013
That three word title fits the final two days of legislative action as bills will be passed or killed and the final budget figures will be put together.
State aid
The current budget proposal includes a three percent increase for school districts. A three percent increase would set the per-student allocation for the 2013-14 school year at approximately $4,626.
Two levy bills – Senate Bills 15 and 28 – could have an effect on the proposed increase, however. Representatives of Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s administration have stated in committee hearings each bill must pass with the levies proposed or the state would have to pick up the shortfall, which could jeopardize the three percent increase for school districts.
Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district with the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.
Senate Bill 15 calls for an increase of $.05 for the SPED levy. In the current version, levies would be set at $1.25 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for the qualifying level and $1.45 for the maximum level.
Members of the House of Representatives passed amended versions of both SB 15 and 28 on Tuesday with inflated land valuation figures, but did not change levy rates.
The Senate did not concur with the amendments and a conference committee made up of Senators Larry Rhoden (29), Deb Soholt (14) and Tom Jones (17) and Representatives Dean Wink (29), Dan Dryden (34) and Spencer Hawley (7) will meet today to discuss both bills.
ASBSD is monitoring the bills.
One-time dollars
Both houses agreed on House Bill 1137, which will appropriate one-time money to K-12 school districts.
HB 1137 appropriates $5.8 million, which equals $45 per student, for schools, $200,000 to the state’s technical institutes and $250,000 to the Teach for America program. A similar bill, Senate Bill 138, was tabled by the House on Tuesday.
Another bill calling for the allocation of one-time dollars is scheduled for a conference committee today. Senators Deb Peters (9), Larry Tidemann (7) and Billie Sutton (21) will confer with Representatives Dean Wink (29), Mark Mickelson (13) and Scott Parsley (8) to discuss Senate Bill 90.
SB 90 would appropriate one-time dollars similar to HB 1137 with $500,000 provided for innovation grants as well.
SB 90 is unlikely to remain as is, because HB 1137 and HB 1164, which appropriates $500,000 in one-time innovation grants to teachers, school districts and ESAs, has passed both legislative bodies.
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker throughout the day.
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News and Notes from Tuesday night
Posted Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Levy bill hoghoused
Senators hoghoused House Bill 1239 on a 28-5 vote on Tuesday.
The original version of HB 1239 would have authorized school districts to set a tax levy at 30 cents per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for pension and health insurance funding purposes. ASBSD supported the bill.
The hoghoused version of the bill would appropriate funds to the Board of Regents to cover the increase to employee health insurance costs.
Dollar amount attached to innovation grant
House Bill 1164 was amended and passed by Senators on a 34-0 vote.
The amended version attached $500,000 in one-time money to HB 1164 for innovation grants to utilize technology in creative and innovative ways to enhance learning and achievement of their students. The amendment also opened the grant funds to Education Service Agencies along with teachers and school districts.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
ELL funding bill passed by Reps.
Senate Bill 159 was approved by the House of Representatives on a 60-9 vote.
SB 159 provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student scoring below a level four on the state-administered language proficiency assessment. The increase is currently set at ½ percent, but is expected to change as the budget process proceeds.
“We need to ensure that our newest citizens are being taught the English language,” Rep. Peggy Gibson (22) said.
SB 159 coincides with a provision in Senate Bill 235, which provides a 25% funding increase for ELL students under the same conditions. SB 235 is an omnibus economic development bill that would provide funding for certain education programs.
ASBSD supports both bills.
$1.5 million devoted to scholarship
Representatives amended Senate Bill 233 to include $1.5 million on a 51-18 vote.
SB 233 establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area. Sen. Tim Rave (25) has requested $5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
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Levy bills passed by Reps.
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013
House of Representatives passed amended versions of property tax levy bills for the general and special education funds back to the Senate.
Amendments to the bills inflated their land valuation, but left levy rates the same as passed by House Appropriations committee members.
Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district with the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.
Senate Bill 15 calls for an increase of $.05 for the SPED levy. In the current version, levies would be set at $1.25 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for the qualifying level and $1.45 for the maximum level.
SB 15 also allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions and caps the Extraordinary Cost Fund at $5.5 million.
Administration representatives have noted in committee hearings that each bill is needed for school districts to receive the proposed three percent increase in state aid.
Each bill is expected to be referred to conference committee. ASBSD is monitoring the bills.
For updates on SB 15 and 28, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
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News and notes from House Appropriations
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013
ELL funding bill survives
In a matter of hours, Senate Bill 159 received a reprieve.
Appropriators initially deferred the bill, which provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student, because there’s a provision in the recently hoghoused Senate Bill 235.
Committee members decided later in the hearing to reconsider the bill in case SB 235 was defeated. With the reconsideration, appropriators lowered the percentage of increased funding from one percent to ½ a percent. The percentage increase is expected to change. ASBSD supports the bill.
“This will impact every one of your districts at some point,” Executive Director Wade Pogany testified.
ESA bill hoghoused
Senate Bill 76 was hoghoused by committee members. The new version will be used for the purpose of enhancing military value of Ellswoth Air Force Base.
Previously, SB 76 called for the appropriation of funds for Education Service Agencies. The bill initially called for $500,000 in ESA funding before being downgraded to $150,000 and finally $1. ESAs, which serve school districts in one of six regions in South Dakota, had most of their state funding cut in 2009. ASBSD supported the bill.
CTE funding bill gets deferred
Appropriators deferred Senate Bill 229 to the 41st legislative day.
SB 229 would have appropriated funds for CTE programs. At its time of deferral, the bill had $1 attached to it, but it was proposed with $1.5 million. ASBSD opposed the bill.
Critical needs scholarship sent on
Senate Bill 233, which establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area, was passed to the Joint Appropriations committee.
Sen. Tim Rave (25) has requested$5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund, which he said would supply 11-15 scholarships each year.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
For updates on funding legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, ESAs, CTE, Education Funding, Comments (0) | Link to this story | Send to a friend | Print Story
News and Notes from Monday
Posted Monday, March 4, 2013
Sentinel bill sent to Gov.
On a 40-19 vote, Representatives sent an amended version of House Bill 1087, which would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds, to its final step for approval.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard will have the option to sign the bill into law or veto it. The Governor has not indicated whether he supports HB 1087, but his administration has indicated in previous weeks that he supports the bill’s concept. If signed into law, voters could refer the bill for a vote in November.
A motion to form a conference committee – made up of three Senators and three Representatives – to review the amended version of HB 1087 was defeated on a 17-42 vote.
Senators attached three amendments to the bill, which Rep. Scott Craig (33) called “more appealing to the public and increasing public accountability.”
One amendment appoints the state’s Standards and Training Commission to oversee the 40-hours of firearms training required by the bill for non-law enforcement agents taking the sentinel role. Another provides a waiver of liability to the state’s Attorney General Office and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over a school district where a sentinel program is established. The final amendment allows voters in the district to refer a school board’s decision on implementing, or not implementing.
A cornerstone argument of the bill’s proponents was HB 1087’s capacity to provide local control. However, the referral amendment would allow constituents to overturn a board’s decision and the provision of approval needed by the local law enforcement agency can do the same.
ASBSD is opposed to the bill.
Benefits publication bill defeated
The third time wasn’t the charm for Senate Bill 180 as Representatives killed the bill on 28-40 bill.
SB 180 would have required school districts, and other local government bodies, to list the total dollar amount paid to employees for the employer's share of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), retirement, any nonprofessional membership fee and the average amount paid per employee for health insurance.
Coming to the House in its third incarnation, the bill had three amendments introduced for a voice vote, but the end result left them irrelevant.
“All you have to do is step into the (school’s business) office and that information is there,” Rep. Kathy Tyler (4) said.
ASBSD opposed the bill.
Situational student funding bill passed
Representatives passed Senate Bill 158, which would provide state funding for students in treatment centers and clarifies the discrepancy that funding for the student in the treatment center is provided by the home district, on a 67-1 vote.
“(SB 158) will solve the problem quite well,” Rep. Peggy Gibson (22) said.
Rep. Gibson said about 30 students per-year fall in this category and the total cost is approximately $139,000. Rep. Gibson noted the Governor’s proposed budget included funding for these situations.
ASBSD supports the bill.
Open Meetings bill tabled
Committees and subcommittees will not be subjected to open meeting laws after House Bill 1108 was tabled by Senators.
Sen. Dan Lederman (16) requested the bill be tabled, saying its provisions would be examined after session before being reintroduced next year.
ASBSD opposed the bill.
Petitions bill passed
Senators voted 30-1 to pass House Bill 1018, which would require independent notarization on an election candidate’s nominating petition.
The bill now heads to the Governor for signature.
For updates on these and other pieces of legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
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ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, March 1, 2013
Week eight marked the penultimate week of the 88th legislative session and, like the second to last episode of a season in a TV series, it set up plenty of intriguing plots with guns in schools, funding and new developments left to be decided by legislators.
Senators send Sentinel bill back to House
Senators passed an amended version of House Bill 1087, which would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds, on a 21-14 vote on Wednesday.
HB 1087 heads to the House floor for approval of the amended version or Representatives can choose to create a conference committee to further discuss the amendments with Senators.
If the amended version is passed by Representatives, the bill would head to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for signature or veto. If signed into law, voters could refer the bill for a vote in November.
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Appointment of the state’s Standards and Training Commission to oversee firearms training required for non-law enforcement agents filling the sentinel role.
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Provides a waiver of liability to the state’s Attorney General Office and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over a school district where a sentinel program is established.
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Allows voters in the district to refer a school board’s decision on implementing, or not implementing, a sentinel program to a vote.
ASBSD is opposed to the bill.
Busy week for K-12 funding bills
This week the House Appropriations committee held hearings on three bills related to three different areas of K-12 education, but deferred action until next week.
Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district and is the main vehicle for providing school districts with the proposed three percent increase to state aid. The bill would even out the state-to-local effort for funding education.
SB 28 sets the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.
Senate Bill 76 appropriates funding for Education Service Agencies. ESAs would have to apply to the Department of Education to receive the funds.
Senate Bill 229 would appropriate funds for CTE programs. The bill currently has a $1 dollar attached to it, but bill sponsor Sen. Billie Sutton (21), would like to see $1.5 million provided for the programs. Funding from the bill would not be ongoing. House Appropriators deferred a similar bill to the 41st legislative day a week ago.
Appropriators will hear three more funding related bills on Monday that were deferred to them by the House Education committee.
Senate Bill 15 raises the property tax levies for the special education fund of a school district by $0.15, with the maximum level set at $1.552 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation and the state aid qualifying level at $1.352. A state-to-local effort ratio would be set at approximately 39-61 percent.
SB 15 also allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions and caps the Extraordinary Cost Fund at $5.5 million.
Senate Bill 159 provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student.
SB 159 would provide a 1 percent increase, which is considered temporary until funds available are determined. The bill was introduced with a 25 percent increase, which would provide approximately $1,100 per ESL student.
Senate Bill 233 establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area. Sen. Tim Rave (25) has requested $5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund, which he said would supply 11-15 scholarships each year.
Revenue forecast presented
State Economist Jim Terwilliger and LRC Chief Fiscal Analyst Fred Schoenfeld presented appropriators with an updated picture of state revenue.
The projections are close those provided in December during Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s State of the State address. Appropriators will decide which numbers to adopt on Monday.
Revenue projections are not expected to affect the proposed three percent increase to state aid and ASBSD is cautiously optimistic one-time dollars will be provided.
Proposed hoghouse bill has ed. funding implications
A bipartisan group of legislators rolled out an economic development plan dubbed the Building South Dakota fund, which will be introduced as Senate Bill 235.
The plan includes the creation of the Workforce Education fund under the umbrella of the Building South Dakota fund.
Thirty percent of the dollars in the Building South Dakota fund would be appropriated to the Workforce Education fund for support of ESL students, CTE equipment and services, technology upgrades and other expenses preparing students for the workforce.
SB 235 is scheduled for a hearing in House State Affairs.
For updates on all of the legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, School Safety, Comments (0) | Link to this story | Send to a friend | Print Story
From Education to Appropriations
Posted Thursday, February 28, 2013
House Education committee members deferred four K-12 related funding bills to the House Appropriations committee on Wednesday, which marked the committee’s last time discussing bills.
SPED levy bill discussed
Committee members unanimously voted to defer Senate Bill 15, which adjusts property tax levies for the special education fund of a school district and allows the use of 15 percent of special education fund dollars for special services, to appropriations.
SB 15 proposes the tax levy for special education be raised by $0.15, with the maximum level set at $1.552 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation and the state aid qualifying level at $1.352.
The levies are being raised to account for an increase in SPED students and the flattened land valuations. A state-to-local effort ratio would be set at approximately 39-61 percent, which DOE Finance Director Tammy Darnall said had been about the average ratio since 2008.
“We need to set a path and follow it to help the formula be sustainable,” Darnall said.
Darnall noted the tax levy ratio for special education hadn’t been “followed very closely” by the state in recent years and going forward it would be set annually, resembling the general education formula.
SB 15 also allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions and caps the Extraordinary Cost Fund at $5.5 million.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
ESL funding adjustment supported
Senate Bill 159, which provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student, was referred on a 15-0 vote by committee members.
“This (funding shortfall) is a problem. It’s a real problem with a great solution,” Executive Director Wade Pogany testified. “(SB 159) will impact every one of your districts.”
Initially the bill provided a 25 percent increase in state aid, but an amendment was introduced and passed that lowered the increase to 1 percent. The decrease is considered temporary until legislators have a better idea of available funding towards the end of session.
Rep. Mark Mickelson (13) said the 25 percent increase requested “is less than the actual cost” needed. Rep. Mickelson said a 25 percent increase would provide approximately $1,100 per ESL student.
ASBSD supports the bill.
Proposed scholarship program sent on
On a 12-3 vote, committee members referred Sen. Tim Rave’s (25) bill to establish a critical needs teaching scholarship.
Currently, Senate Bill 233, which creates a trust fund program for student’s entering the teaching profession in a critical needs curriculum area and staying in the state after completing their degree, has $1 attached to it.
Sen. Rave has requested $5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund, which would supply 11-15 scholarships each year.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
Vehicle bill amended before referral
Committee members hoghoused Senate Bill 138 – a vehicle bill for K-12 education – and referred it on a 14-1 vote.
The amended version of SB 138 now simply is “an act to enhance education.” The previous version of the bill revised certain provisions regarding educational data reporting.
ASBSD is monitoring the bill.
For updates on the progress, or lack thereof, in House Appropriations, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
Categories:2013 Legislative Session, SPED, State Aid, ESL, Education Funding, Comments (0) | Link to this story | Send to a friend | Print Story
Appropriations defers actions
Posted Monday, February 25, 2013
Two bills that could impact K-12 education funding had hearings in House Appropriations this morning, but no action was taken.
House Appropriators held a lengthy discussion among themselves and those who testified on Senate Bill 28, which adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district. The discussion centered on the bill’s purpose, changes to the levies and future funding discussions.
SB 28 is the main vehicle for providing school districts with the proposed three percent increase to state aid. The bill would even out the state-to-local effort for funding education.
“If Senate Bill 28 failed…then the per-student allocation would have to be cut,” State Economist Jim Terwilliger testified.
The fate of the bill seems safe for passage, but changes to the levies to potentially make them more equal is up for discussion. SB 28 sets the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.
Sen. Stan Adelstein introduced an amendment calling for the owner-occupied, commercial and agriculture levies more equal in proportion, which failed on a voice vote, but stirred conversation among appropriators and testifiers.
“There may be some broader questions we ask about how we balance funding for education,” S.D. Chamber of Commerce and Industry President David Owen said.
ASBSD Executive Director broached the subject of a long term funding solution for schools in his testimony, noting the difficulty schools are having in preparing for the future.
“We need to have a long term discussion because school districts need to be able to plan for the future,” Pogany said. “(Schools) are still in a financial crisis. I’m hopeful the appropriators can look for a long term solution.”
CTE Funding
House appropriators also deferred a decision on a bill that would appropriate funds for CTE programs.
Senate Bill 229 currently has a $1 dollar attached to it, but the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Billie Sutton (21), would like to see $1.5 million provided for the programs. Funding from the bill would not be ongoing and Sen. Sutton said he envisions funds being distributed through a competitive grant process.
House Appropriators deferred a similar bill to the 41st legislative day a week ago. ASBSD is opposed to the bill because it would remove general fund dollars that school districts could use at their own discretion.
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.
Categories:2013 Legislative Session, Taxation, State Aid, CTE, Comments (0) | Link to this story | Send to a friend | Print Story
ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, February 22, 2013
Guns in Schools bill headed to Senate
A bill that would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds was passed by the Senate State Affairs committee today on a 5-4 vote.
House Bill 1087 would allow school boards to establish a sentinel program pending the approval of a local law enforcement agency. Non-law enforcement agents filling the sentinel role would be required to complete 40-hours of firearms training.
ASBSD opposes the bill based on the association’s Standing Position on Safe and Secure Schools opposes “weapons” on school grounds. Sen. Scott Craig (33) said he received an email claiming that communication among board members discussing ASBSD’s position on the bill showed they supported HB 1087 “10-to-1.” ASBSD did not receive emails supportin