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Senate Education committee members covered a diverse agenda at Thursday’s meeting. Committee members affirmed Governor Dennis Daugaard’s appointment of Dr. Melody Schopp as the state’s Secretary of Education on a 5-0 vote. Senators voted 31-1 in favor of appointment. Sec. Schopp has served as the leader of the Department of Education for four […]
Sen. Ed. & Senate affirm appointment, pass bills and resolution Read More »
Action was deferred by the House Education committee until next week on Senate Bill 132, which would allow districts leeway to offer a signing bonus, moving expenses, or tuition reimbursement to a teacher employed in the school district. Committee members heard testimony on the bill, which was passed in the Senate on a 26-7
Action deferred on financial incentive flexibility bill Read More »
Two bills supported by ASBSD are on their way to the second floor of the Capitol Building to await Gov. Daugaard’s signature. Senators passed a bill strengthening a school district’s local control over curriculum and method of instruction decisions on a 33-1 vote. Sen. Bruce Rampelberg said House Bill 1101 would “make it
Two board related bills going to Gov’s desk Read More »
The texts and emails of school board members and other political subdivision representatives are closer to coming under review based on suspicion of open meeting violations. Representatives voted 47-22 in support of House Bill 1153, which would include electronic text colloquy on the list of public records that may be reviewed by the public when
New open meeting provision would open up text records Read More »
House members voted overwhelmingly to support House Bill 1218, which would allow any school district to designate up to $0.25 of their capital outlay levy to fund a post-secondary technical institute. The maximum level of $3 per $1,000 of valuation for the levy could not be exceeded by districts utilizing the new provision. HB
New cap outlay option passes House Read More »
A bill proposing a one year moratorium on minor boundary changes in a school district and the creation of a legislative task force to study the process passed the Senate unanimously on Crossover Day. Senate Bill 134 was introduced last week as a hoghouse amendment by Sen. Tim Rave, who said the bill hopes
Minor boundary change review bound for House Read More »
A bill described by Sen. Tim Rave as a “forward looking” pilot found favor in the Senate on crossover day. Senators unanimously passed Senate Bill 176, which would appropriate funds for the development of online resources and a rubric of textbook analysis for use in school districts. The bill includes $1 placeholder funding. Sen.
Online education resource bill on to House Read More »
Members of the Senate 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 supports House Bill 1125, which would add the word “continuous” to the law. Director of Policy and Legal Services Gerry Kaufman said
Agenda posting provision passed by Sen. State Affairs Read More »
A bill that could remove up to $4 million in state funds to indirectly fund non-public school scholarships received support in the Senate. Senators voted 23-12 to pass Senate Bill 189, which would provide a tax credit to insurance companies contributing money to an organization that provides funding to cover the cost of a student enrolling
Senate sends non-public school scholarship program to House Read More »
House Education committee members unanimously passed Senate Bill 89, which would require school districts to develop safety plans and conduct lockdown drills. “We believe many of the schools in the state have a (lockdown) plan,” SASD Executive Director Rob Monson said. “(Schools) want to make sure students are safe and taken care of. This (bill)
Lockdown drill bill passed by House Ed. comm. Read More »
Associated School Boards of South Dakota is a private, non-profit organization representing more than 850 local school board members, the school districts they govern and the students they serve.