ASBSD Board members met online recently and received a legislative update and discussed next year’s officers.

 

Executive Director Wade Pogany provided the Board of Directors with an update from the 2021 legislative session, including funding and key bills.

 

“Money is still in play,” Pogany said, noting the two biggest funding pieces were the proposed 2.4 percent increase in state aid and the $11 million in proposed one-time money, which as proposed would provide all school districts $30 per-student and supply additional dollars to districts impacted by student enrollment fluctuations.

 

Pogany told board members “we need to fight for the $11 million” as the funding discussion continues to evolve in the second half of session.

 

Read about the legislature’s adoption of Revenue Projections for FY21 and FY22 here.

 

In addition, Pogany shared concerns about Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to alternative instruction laws, citing the bill offers local school boards “zero say” in whether or not a student receiving alternative instruction can participate in local athletics or activities by mandating their eligibility and creating a double standard between public and homeschool students.

 

“There are clearly some problems with the bill,” Pogany said.

 

ASBSD Board members also decided to allow the current officers to continue in their positions for the 2021-22 school year as the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated many of the national and state leadership opportunities made available to executive officers during a normal year.

 

“This has some real advantages if we allow these officers to grow through the chairs,” Pogany said.

 

In addition, the board:

• Approved the financial report;
• Discussed the idea of Board of Director members hosting virtual meetings;
• Set the next meeting date for Friday-Saturday, April 15-16 in Pierre.