Two bills related to education made their way to the governor’s desk on Tuesday (2-27).

 

House members passed Senate Bill 83, which authorizes certain patriotic societies access to public schools, on a 58-6 vote.

 

The bill permits representatives of a patriotic society, such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts or other patriotic societies defined in title 36 of the U.S. Code, the opportunity to speak to students about the group at school during the district’s first academic quarter as long they provide the school’s principal verbal or written notification of their intent.

 

The school principal has discretion over the time, place, and manner when representatives of a patriotic society are allowed to speak to students.

 

ASBSD supported the bill.

 

On a 55-9 vote, Representatives passed Senate Bill 117, which revises certain provisions regarding the partners in education tax credit program.

 

Rep. Leslie Heinemann described SB 117 as a way to “improve efficiency” in the program, which utilizes state dollars to fund private school scholarships through tax deductions from anonymous donors. The changes to “improve efficiency” included one check payment to schools instead of two, updating the free and reduced lunch legal reference changing the annual report date.

 

ASBSD opposed the bill.

 

For updates on Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s action on these bills, check the ASBSD Blog, Bill Tracker page, Twitter feed or Facebook page.