February24

Technology training bill falls

A bill that would have earmarked $2.85 million for professional development related to technology for teachers failed to get past the House Appropriations committee last Friday.   Committee members voted 7-2 to defer House Bill 1005 to the 41st legislative day. The deferral of HB 1005 marked the end of the line for the list

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February24

Assessment exemption bill back from the dead

Mere hours after its death in the House Education committee, House Bill 1187 was revived through a smoke out on the floor of the House.   Rep. Jim Bolin, the bill’s sponsor, pleaded with Representatives to get the bill, which provides for the exemption of certain students from the requirement to take certain academic assessment

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February24

Levy bill leaves House bound for Senate

Members of the House of Representatives passed the annual Cutler-Gabriel adjustment that sets the property tax levies for a school district’s general fund on Monday.   On a 69-0 vote, Representatives sent House Bill 1085 across the hall to the Senate.   Rep. David Lust said the bill is “a vehicle bill more or less,”

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February23

Levy expansion bill falls

An option offering flexibility for schools to offset the rising healthcare costs failed to gain traction in the Senate Taxation committee.   Committee members voted 5-2 to kill House Bill 1218, which would have authorized a school district to use certain tax levies for pension and health insurance purposes.   ASBSD supported the bill.  

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February23

Comm. tables joint election proposal

Testimony was taken and it eventually led to the tabling of House Bill 1219 by the bill’s sponsor.   HB 1219 would have required school districts to join with municipalities for annual elections to be held on the second Tuesday of November. However, Rep. Hal Wick decided to request the bill be tabled, which it

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February23

Compromise on CPR training bill

A week after debating the details of a bill that would have required CPR to be taught in high schools and be counted as a graduation requirement, opposing sides came to a compromise.   Representatives from the American Heart Association and South Dakota Department of Education collaborated to complete Senate Bill 145, which was passed

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February21

House halts fine money distribution bill

A bill calling for the equalization in the distribution of fine money to school districts was swept away from the House floor.   Representatives voted 32-38 to defeat House Bill 1204.   The bill, sponsored by Rep. Dan Dryden, who introduced a similar other revenue equalization bill that died in committee, would have included the

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February21

Start date debate revived

On a 9-3 vote, members of the House Local Government decided to approve a bill that would revise provisions on a petition to refer a school board’s start day decision.   House Bill 1164 would require a petition to have five percent of the total number of registered voters voting in the previous general election,

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February21

Pledge bill passed by committee, House

A bill that requires the reciting of the pledge of allegiance at the start of each school day in every public school classroom is assured of seeing the Senate.   House Bill 1150 passed the House State Affairs committee and the House of Representatives on unanimous votes this week.   ASBSD supports the bill.  

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February20

Great turnout for ASBSD’s Legislative Day

ASBSD’s Legislative Day brought school board members and administrators together with legislators to sit down and build and strengthen relationships.   “We’re not here today to lobby you,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany told the attendees. “We’re here to get to know each other.”   For photos from the event, visit the ASBSD Facebook page.

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