Associated School Boards of South Dakota

February29: School choice funding account bill tabled

After a weekend’s worth of thought, the legislators supporting the idea for state aid to be sent out of public school districts with students decided it wasn’t ready for passage. “I think there’s just too many things we’re not going to get pulled in line this year,” Rep. Kalep Weis said of his legislation,

February29: Senate does not concur with kindergarten eligibility date change

A bill changing the start date for kindergarten students failed to clear its last legislative hurdle. Senators defeated House Bill 1174, which changes the kindergarten enrollment eligibility date, on an 11-24 vote. This came after the Senate Education committee passed the bill on a 5-2 vote. ASBSD was monitoring the bill. Starting in

February28: Reps repeal MBC appraisal requirement

Representatives removed a requirement related to minor boundary changes recently. House Education committee members voted 14-0 and the full House voted 67-1 to pass House Bill 1255, which removes the requirement for a mandatory appraisal in minor boundary changes. HB 1255 repeals “the requirement that an appraisal be completed as a condition of

February27: Senate comm. scraps Sentinel reimbursement bill

A Senate committee defeated a bill reimbursing schools for training costs related to the Sentinel program. On a 7-2 vote, Senate Appropriations committee members tabled House Bill 1152, which provides financial assistance for school sentinel training. ASBSD was monitoring the bill. HB 1152 sought to provide a $1,500 reimbursement – paid by the S.D.

February26: Student-counselor confidentiality protected with defeat of HB 1167

A bill that would have severely hindered the confidentiality students share with school counselors couldn’t get out of the House of Representatives. On a 30-37 vote, Reps defeated House Bill 1167, which circumvents the confidentiality between student and counselor. Rep. Chris Johnson, the bill’s prime sponsor, claimed South Dakota statute was in “direct conflict with FERPA,”

February25: Inquiry and reports timeline adjustment bill bounced by House

An amended version of a bill adjusting the timelines schools have to provide information to parents was narrowly defeated in the House. House Bill 1218, which amends the timeline for notification of reporting of student tests, assessments, evaluations, and observations, failed to find favor in the House after a 33-33 deadlock vote on whether

February24: Capital outlay compromise bill clears committee

Compromise was reached in capital outlay legislation last week. On a 6-1 vote, Senate Education committee members passed a freshly amended version of Senate Bill 170, which revises certain provisions regarding school district capital outlay funds. The latest version of SB 170 makes multiple changes to the Capital Outlay fund, including: Amends the

February24: New school system bill sent to Senate floor

After three committee hearings, an amended version of a bill creating a new school system reached the Senate floor. Senate Education committee members voted 7-0 in favor of Senate Bill 66, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools. SB 66 would allow the proposed school to seek sponsorship with a school district,

February23: Other revenue bill ousted from session

The last other revenue adjustment bill of session was ousted in committee. On a 4-2 vote, Senate Taxation committee members defeated Senate Bill 168, which freezes the other revenue step-down process at 60 percent counted as local effort. Previously, Senate Bill 111 was passed by the committee, but defeated on the Senate floor.

February23: Decision delayed on bill creating school choice funding account

A decision on a bill sending state aid with students leaving public schools has been delayed. House Education committee members did not finish the bill hearing on House Bill 1258, which provides for child safety accounts for students subject to certain safety incidents, and will continue their discussion on Monday, February 24. Sen.