Flexibility from certain requirements has been provided to school districts for the 2020-21 school year.

 

Gov. Kristi Noem signed an Executive Order earlier this month providing accredited schools with relief from certain state requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which include:

 

Teacher evaluation. Suspension of the statutory provision of SDCL 13-42-34 requiring schools to evaluate the performance of certified teachers in their fourth contract year or beyond to maintain state accreditation. Schools may choose to continue to evaluate performance.

 

Principal evaluation. Suspension of the regulatory provision of ARSD 24:58:03:01 requiring schools to evaluate the performance of principals and assistant principals in their fifth year of employment or beyond with the district. Schools may choose to continue to evaluate performance.

 

Accreditation review. Suspension of the regulatory requirements of ARSD 24:43:02:05 and 24:43:02:06 requiring comprehensive review of those schools scheduled for an accreditation review during the 2020-21 school year. A school may choose to continue its scheduled review. In the event a school chooses not to be reviewed as scheduled, the department will review that school in the 2021-22 school year.

 

Safety plan. Suspension of the regulatory requirement of ARSD 24:43:09:01 requiring emergency evacuation drills to be done in accordance with a school safety plan.

 

Cardiopulmonary instruction survey. Suspension of the statutory provisions of SDCL 13-3-93 and 13-3-96 requiring the Department of Education to survey schools’ compliance with cardiopulmonary instruction requirements.

 

ASBSD will provide any further updates on the ASBSD Blog or via email.