House Appropriations committee members kept alive a bill that would establish and fund a program to recruit and retain teachers for rural school districts. Committee members voted 7-1 in support of the bill. House Bill 1092 calls for the creation of the rural school teacher recruitment assistance program, which encourages individuals working as paraprofessionals
Teacher recruitment program stays alive Read More »
The bill providing a two percent increase in state aid for schools had its first hearing on Friday (1/30). Members of the Senate Appropriations committee reviewed Senate Bill 53, but deferred action to a later date. A two percent increase would bring the per-student allocation to approximately $4,877 for the 2015-16 school year.
Two percent increase bill reviewed Read More »
The first step in adding a new provision to the under-100 enrollment threshold for school districts was taken on Friday (1/30). House Education committee members unanimously approved House Bill 1097, which allows certain school districts meeting specific criteria to remain open despite dropping below the 100 student enrollment threshold. Rep. Fred Deutsch, the
Under-100 enrollment bill advances Read More »
Members of the House State Affairs committee unanimously passed a bill that requires a governmental entity to post their meeting agenda in a public place for a continuous 24-hour period prior to the meeting. ASBSD Director of Policy and Legal Services Gerry Kaufman testified in support of House Bill 1125, which would add the
Agenda posting provision change passes committee Read More »
[View the story “Ed. reps appear on SDPB’s South Dakota Focus” on Storify]
Ed. reps appear on SDPB’s South Dakota Focus Read More »
House Bill 1059, which aligns state law with HIPAA regulations in order for schools and other entities to continue to access child immunization records, is headed for the Senate after Representatives passed the bill on a 45-24 vote. “This is a matter of public health,” Rep. Karen Soli said of the bill. HB
Immunization record bill moves to Senate Read More »
A bill that would require school districts to develop safety plans and conduct of lockdown drills was unanimously approved by members of the Senate Education committee on Thursday (1/29). “School boards and teachers and administrators are all concerned with the safety of our kids,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany testified in support of Senate
School safety plan bill sent to Senate floor Read More »
Members of the House Local Government committee unanimously approved House Bill 1091, which would require meeting minutes of any board or commission to include a record of how each individual voted, on Thursday (1/29). “On the final action there should be a listing of how that individual voted,” Rep. Jim Bolin testified in support
Board voting record bill passes comm. Read More »
Members of the Senate voted 24-11 to support HCR 1001, which that distinguished the difference between a fee and a tax. Sen. Dan Lederman said the resolution is a “statement of explanation and intent” of the responsibilities of the legislature. Sen. Lederman noted a tax is how the state pays for everyone’s fair share and
Senate supports explanation resolution Read More »
The decision on a bill that added a new provision to school counselor privilege was delayed until a later date after much hand wringing at Wednesday’s (1/28) House Education Committee meeting. House Bill 1077 would require parental approval to waive a school counselor privilege for a student under age sixteen. HB 1077’s sponsor
Decision delayed on counselor privilege bill Read More »