Associated School Boards of South Dakota

February11: House Ed. opts against assessment exemption

Exemptions for state education assessments will not be allowed barring a smoke out on the House floor. Members of the House Education committee narrowly defeated House Bill 1093, which would have provided for the exemption of certain students from the requirement to take assessment tests, on an 8-7 vote. South Dakota Secretary of

February11: Meeting minutes voting list bill passes comm.

Senate Local Government committee members voted unanimously to support House Bill 1091, which would require meeting minutes of any board or commission to include a record of how each individual voted. Rep. Jim Bolin, the bill’s sponsor, said the bill is “not just about transparency, but about ease of finding information.” Rep. Bolin noted

February11: Proposed percentage change in cap outlay votes passes comm.

Change may be coming to the capital outlay fund of school districts in larger ways, but a victory was struck for the fund at Wednesday’s (2/11) Senate Local Government committee meeting. Committee members voted 4-3 in favor of Senate Bill 183, which lowers the percentage of supporting votes needed from 60 to 55 percent

February11: Senate lets leased property tax class bill through

After few years of struggle on the Senate side, a bill creating a leased residential property tax classification found favor in the chamber. An amended version of Senate Bill 100 passed the Senate on a 25-8 vote. The amendment removed the levy of $9.10/$1,000 of valuation, which was the same as commercial property levy

February10: Scientific information bill sent to 41st day

Senate Bill 114, which claimed to encourage and protect the teaching of certain scientific information, did not survive its committee hearing, as Senate Education members voted 4-2 to defer it to the 41st legislative day. Sen. Jeff Monroe, the bill’s main sponsor, called SB 114 a “constituent bill,” which disallowed the state Board of

February10: Bill providing boards more financial incentives to offer teachers passes comm.

A bill allowing school districts to utilize market-based financial incentives to attract and retain teachers passed the Senate Education committee on a 4-1 vote. Senate Bill 132 would “give schools boards some tools” they’re not unable to utilize now, said ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany. ASBSD supports the bill. “(School Boards) are struggling with

February10: Board vacancy bill evades no votes

A bill clarifying how a vacancy on a school board would be filled unanimously passed the House of Representatives. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jacqueline Sly, said the bill is “adding clarity to how a vacancy on a school board is filled.” Under HB 1100, a vacating school board member would participate in the process of

February10: Fund balance bill finds support

A bill requiring school districts to report their fund balances at the end of each month in the fiscal year for the general, capital outlay, pension and special education funds passed the House Education committee on a unanimous vote. Rep. Jacqueline Sly, House Bill 1148’s main sponsor, said the bill provides the legislature with a “timely collection

February10: Opponents prevail over counselor privilege bill

There will be no new provision to school counselor privilege as members of the House Education Committee voted 9-5 to defer House Bill 1077 to the 41st day. A decision on the bill had been delayed since having its initial hearing in January. House Bill 1077 would have required parental approval to waive a school counselor privilege

February06: Gov. Daugaard announces plans for task force to study K-12

Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced on Friday (2/6) his office will establish a “Blue Ribbon” task force with the charge of studying K-12 education. The task force will examine school funding, student achievement and the teacher shortage. Task force members will include government officials, school board members, administrators, teachers and parents. It is not expected