A year after welcoming eight new members aboard, Chair of the House Education committee Rep. Jacqueline Sly will lead a group that returns intact.
House Education meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:45 a.m. with Rep. Sly chairing the committee for the fourth consecutive year.
Let’s get to know the committee members:
Rep. Jacqueline Sly (District 33) Chairwoman Sly is not only a veteran of the education committee – having served on it for seven years – but a former educator with more than 30 years of experience. Rep. Sly also dedicated her 2015 legislative interim to education while serving as the Co-Chair of the Blue Ribbon Task Force.
Rep. Timothy Johns (District 31) will be serving his second year as Vice Chair on the committee. An attorney from Lawrence County, Rep. Johns is beginning his fourth year in the legislator and has served on the House Ed. Committee each year he’s been in the legislature. He will also serve on the Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Blaine Campbell (District 35) is serving his fourth year in the legislature and on the education committee. Rep. Campbell, a subcontractor from Rapid City, also serves on the Health and Human Services Committee.
Rep. Fred Deutsch (District 4) the former Watertown School Board Member is set for his second year of service in the legislature. A chiropractor from Watertown, Rep. Deutsch has been on the education and Commerce and Energy Committees each year.
Rep. Peggy Gibson (District 22) the former teacher begins her second year on the education committee and seventh year in the House. She has previously served on the judiciary, state affairs and taxation committees. She will again serve on the Judiciary Committee in 2016.
Rep. Paula Hawks (District 9), a Minority Whip in the House, Rep. Hawks is in her fourth year in the legislature and on the education committee. The former high school science and technology teacher in the West Central School District will also serve on the Local Government Committee.
Rep. Thomas Holmes (District 14) a retired educator with 40-years of experience, Rep. Holmes is serving his second year in the legislature and on the education committee. He will serve on the Health and Human Services Committee, as well.
Rep. Roger Hunt (District 25) the veteran legislature Minnehaha County, returns for his latest stint on the education committee. In previous terms in the legislature, Rep. served for four years on House Ed. He will serve on the Government Operations and Audit, Judiciary and Legislative Procedure committees in addition to his work on the education committee.
Rep. Dan Kaiser (District 3), beginning his fourth year in the legislature, Rep. Kaiser has served on the education committee each year. The police officer from Aberdeen will also serve on the House Transportation Committee.
Rep. Joshua Klumb (District 20) entering his second year in the legislature, Rep. Klumb brings experience to Pierre as he previously served as secretary for the House Ag and Natural Resources and State Affairs committees. The agricultural producer from Mount Vernon will also serve as Vice Chair on the Ag and Natural Resources committee.
Rep. Elizabeth May (District 27) the former educator and current a ranch and business owner from Kyle returns to the legislature for her fourth year on the education committee. Rep. May has served on the House Ed. Committee each year she’s been in Pierre and will serve on the Taxation Committee, as well.
Rep. Steven McCleerey (District 1) the grain farmer and cow/calf operator from Sisseton is rounding out his first term in the legislature in 2016. Rep. McCleerey will serve on the Health and Human Services and Retirement Laws Committees.
Rep. Burt Tulson (District 2) returns to Pierre for his sixth year as a legislator, all of which he has served on the House Ed. Committee. Rep. Tulson serves as a substitute teacher when not serving constituents and sits on the Local Government Committee, in addition to the education committee.
Rep. Mathew Wollmann (District 8), a tech support specialist in the Madison Central School District, Rep. Wollmann is beginning his second year in the legislature. In addition to serving on the House Ed. Committee, he will serve on the Commerce and Energy and Health and Human Services committees.
Rep. Larry Zikmund (District 14) no stranger to Pierre, Rep. Zikmund returns for his second year in the legislature having previously served three S.D. Governors as the State Director of Adult Vocational and Technical Education. He will also serve on the Commerce and Energy committee.
For updates from the committee and the bills they examine, check out the ASBSD Blog, Twitter feed and Bill Tracker page.