Know your role and enhance your understanding of school board work!   Join ASBSD Board Development Director Jim Holbeck on Wednesday, August 2 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center for the New School Board Member Workshop.   The responsibilities, expectations and modes of operation of school board members will be covered.  

Nominate those who dedicate their time and effort making their public school a great one!   ASBSD encourages your district to nominate an individual, group or organization for one or more of our three awards: School Board Award of Excellence, Outstanding School Board Member of the Year and Community Service Award.   “There are so many

Presidents and Vice Presidents can gather more info and insight about leading a school board at this year’s School Board President Workshop.     ASBSD Board Development Director Jim Holbeck invites new and veteran board leaders to the upcoming workshop on Wednesday, August 2 from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.   Click

For more than 20 years, ASBSD’s Teacher Placement website has served districts, schools and cooperatives in finding teachers and staff members.   This summer, the ASBSD Teacher Placement website is getting a new look AND it will be offered as a FREE service for all ASBSD members!   Here’s what you need to know about

“It is important to go to this Convention to connect with your home team, other teams, hear what is happening and learn from others.”   That’s one attendee from last year’s ASBSD-SASD Convention said about the Premier Learning Event for School Board Members and Administrators, and we invite you to connect and learn at the

The South Dakota Board of Regents is hosting two STEM workshops for elementary teachers this summer.   The Dakota Dreams Experiencing STEM Elementary Initiative will provide Elementary teachers: Experience integrated STEM activities for grades 2 – 5. Use your curriculum, the SD standards, the Science & Engineering Standards, and the Standards for Mathematical Practice to

Your district can join a movement to grow your own educators, create the next generation of teachers and do so with the assistance of an established association to help you develop your local chapter.   Educators Rising South Dakota’s mission is to cultivate a new generation of highly skilled educators by guiding young people on

Let’s talk about attracting and retaining teachers and staff members at a FREE upcoming webinar.   Board members are invited to join your ASBSD Region Directors (click here to see your region) at an upcoming Attracting & Retaining Teachers & Staff Webinar: Click here to register for the Northeast Region webinar on Sunday, May 7

Eight important school law related topics will be covered as part of the 2022-23 ASBSD/COSA School Law webinar series.   Listen to school law experts on legal topics affecting school districts, get your questions answered AND have access to the webinar recording presentation throughout the 2023 Fiscal Year for $25 per individual webinar or for

  Academic Achievements of Best and Brightest in Class of 2023 Recognized   The academic achievements of the best and brightest students from the Class of 2023 were recognized recently at the 33rd Annual Academic Excellence Recognition luncheon.     Governor Kristi Noem and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) honored students who

A bill permitting the adoption of a new school board policy option passed the legislature this session and with its passing immediately becomes state law.   Senate Bill 168 authorizes a school board to adopt policies regarding students who are registered sex offenders and included an emergency clause, which means it is permissible for a

The ASBSD-SASD Convention is the premier learning event for South Dakota school board members and administrators and a great place to share information, services and products your company provides school districts as an exhibitor.     The 2023 ASBSD-SASD Convention is scheduled to be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on Thursday and Friday, August 3-4.  

The Associated School Boards of South Dakota Board of Directors is pleased to announce Dr. Douglas Wermedal has accepted the position of ASBSD Executive Director.   Wermedal currently serves as South Dakota State University’s Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, a position he has held for more two decades. Having served multiple terms on the

Collective bargaining is a complex process and ASBSD’s five-part webinar series will answer your questions and give you in-depth information on the topic.   “Negotiations are something that have to be done as prescribed by SD codified law, so it’s important that school board members are knowledgeable,” Edgemont School Board Vice President Susan Humisont said.

The proposed Social Studies Standards for South Dakota’s schools are continuing their hearing schedule with the Board of Education Standards in 2023.   You can read the proposed standards here, which had their first hearing in September at which many South Dakota public school educators and administrators testified in opposition.   The overall sentiment of

Legislative Cracker Barrels in your area offer access to your local legislators, as well as the chance to hear their answers on a variety of legislative topics.   Below you will find a list of dates and locations of legislative cracker barrels being held throughout South Dakota that have been posted thus far.   Please

Two school voucher bills were introduced for the 2023 legislative session and are posted on ASBSD’s Billtracker page, with one having recently been defeated and another with a legislative committee hearing upcoming.   You can read about the taxation bills & revenue here, the juvenile justice bills here, the bills that are moving on here

South Dakota School Board Recognition Week is the time to recognize the men and women who dedicate their time and energy to serving on your locally elected school board.   “During School Board Recognition Week, we encourage public school districts to celebrate their elected leaders for their service to the students, staff and community,” ASBSD

A handful of the pieces of legislation being tracked by ASBSD on our Billtracker page during the 2023 legislative session deal with tax reduction or repeal in some manner and their outcome will inevitably be affected by the state’s revenue collections, with adoption of FY24 revenue estimates upcoming.   You can read about the, the

The 2023 election cycle for the ASBSD Board of Directors is about to begin and seats in the following regions and enrollment categories will be up for election: Central region with enrollment 700-1,399 Chamberlain, Eagle Butte & Winner Northeast region with enrollment 265 & Under Arlington, Big Stone City, Doland, Estelline, Frederick Area, Henry, Hitchcock-Tulare, Iroquois,

Legislative pieces related to juvenile justice continue to make their way through the 2023 legislative session with multiple proposals being tracked by ASBSD on our Billtracker page.   You can read about the taxation bills & revenue here, the school voucher bills here, the bills that are moving on here and the bills that have

Fifty pieces of legislation being tracked by ASBSD on our Billtracker page remain in the process for the 2023 legislative session.   You can read about the taxation bills & revenue here, the school voucher bills here, the juvenile justice bills here and the bills that have been defeated here.   Here is a breakdown

Nearly one-third of the pieces of legislation being tracked by ASBSD on our Billtracker page have been ousted from the process for the 2023 legislative session.   You can read about the taxation bills & revenue here, the school voucher bills here, the juvenile justice bills here and the bills that are moving on here.

Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s School Officer of the Year Award.   The South Dakota Association of School Resource Officers (SDASRO) sponsors this annual award, now in its 15th year. The officer chosen for this award should display professionalism, dedication, and commitment to their respective school and/or district.     Download the

The South Dakota School Superintendent Association is accepting nominations for their 2023 state awards.   Nominations are being sought for: Outstanding Superintendent of the Year; Innovator of the Year; Community Leader of the Year; Rookie of the Year; and Distinguished Service Award. Download the instruction and nomination form here (Word) or here (PDF).     All nominations must

There’s three weeks gone in this year’s legislative session and the deadline to submit legislation comes this coming Thursday (2/2) so we’ll see what will join the 58-pieces of legislation currently being tracked on ASBSD’s Billtracker.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   More than half of the 58 legislative proposals have ASBSD taking

South Dakota’s public education system needs supportive voices. Many voices.   Our advocacy efforts must be united, informed and ready as the 2023 legislative session is likely to bring legislation with potentially long-reaching harmful effects to public schools, especially to funding.   “Vouchers, tax cuts, uncertain state aid increases, and that’s just the funding side,”

A bill gutting the tax on groceries moved from one legislative committee to another.   On a 12-1 vote, the House Taxation committee sent House Bill 1075, which repeals the sales tax on groceries, to the House Appropriations committee for review and vote.   S.D. Bureau of Finance & Management Commissioner Jim Terwilliger said the bill

A new scholarship program using public dollars for private education has been introduced as a bill and more detail was provided on the aims of the program.   Senate Bill 100, which creates a scholarship program utilizing public funds for private education and other services, was introduced in the third week of the 2023 legislative

Two juvenile justice proposals saw legislative action recently.   Senate Bill 3, which requires law enforcement to report juvenile offenses to school officials , passed the Senate Education committee on a 4-2 vote.   The bill emerged from the interim committee studying Juvenile Justice and requires a local law enforcement agency to inform officials when a juvenile

The state Board of Education has revised its meeting schedule for 2023 and the Department of Education has also made revisions to a portion of the proposed social studies standards.   2023 meeting dates for the S.D. Board of Education Standards include Friday, February 10 in Rapid City, Monday, May 22 in Pierre, Monday, September

Five percent found six votes to advance it in the appropriations process.   Senate Bill 24, which provides the 5 percent increase in state aid and revises the property tax levies for school districts, was referred to the Joint Appropriations committee on a 6-0 vote by the Senate Education committee last week (1/19).   ASBSD is

After the second week of the 2023 legislative session, the ASBSD Billtracker is up to 22-pieces of legislation being tracked.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   Of those 22 legislative proposals on the list, there’s seven we’re supporting, six being opposed and nine being monitored.  Below is a breakdown of key bills ASBSD is

Neighbor States Widening Teacher Pay Gap   The average teacher salaries in South Dakota continue to lag behind our neighboring states with SD’s teachers the only state of the group of seven not top $50,000 in average teacher pay in 2020-21 and facing a growing gap.     The closest regional competitor, Montana, is more

A resolution to study a new educational path proceeded in the legislative process.   House Education members and the House Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 6001, which proposes the study of a potential optional educational path.   ASBSD is monitoring HCR 6001, which has been assigned to the Senate Education Committee.   The resolution “comes

Representatives from the education community shared their thoughts with a legislative committee on schools and the juvenile justice system.   ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany, Large School Group Representative Dianna Miller and SASD Executive Director Rob Monson discussed the issues schools are facing when dealing with juvenile offenders and potential solutions with the Senate Judiciary

Open teacher positions exceeded record levels in the previous school and calendar years and the concerning trend has continued its rise halfway through the 2022-23 school year.   The ASBSD Teacher Placement Center, which is a website for school districts to post open positions in their schools, saw more than 3,000 positions posted during the

Legislative session’s through one week and the ASBSD Billtracker has accumulated 19-pieces of legislation so far.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   Thus far, ASBSD is supporting six bills, opposing three and 10 more are listed as “monitor.” Positions on pieces of legislation are determined by member boards by voting at the Delegate Assembly

The 2023 legislative session began this week (1/10) and ASBSD has you covered for coverage of the daily occurrences in the legislature.   Four ASBSD resources will help you keep up-to-date on the 98th legislative session, they include: ASBSD Billtracker ASBSD Blog Legislative Session Documents List of Legislative Cracker Barrels ASBSD Billtracker provides you with a list of

Gov. Kristi Noem kicked of the 98th South Dakota Legislative Session with her State of the State address.   While K-12 education didn’t get a lot of attention during her address, Gov. Noem did mention the Stronger Families Scholarship that she mentioned in last month’s budget address.   The Fiscal Year 2024 Governor’s budget summary

The 2023 legislative session began on Tuesday, January 10th and the 98th legislative session features many important days during which many pieces of K-12 related legislation will be debated and voted on.   This year’s session contains 38 legislative days and kicked off with Gov. Kristi Noem’s State of the State address on Tuesday. Read about the address here.

Homeland Security grant funding will be available for public schools by application at the start of 2023.   The South Dakota Office of Homeland Security will be accepting applications from public schools for one-time project funding from January 1 through February 17, 2023.   Click here to complete the application.     Funding will be

It’s a proposed 5 percent increase in state aid for public schools.   On Tuesday (12/6), Gov. Kristi Noem shared her proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024 with legislators and the public.   “This year I am recommending a 5 percent increase,” Gov. Noem said during the address in reference to state aid.   The

Revenue collections in South Dakota so far in Fiscal Year 2023 exceeded expectations by nine figures.   Through November of FY23, the state’s revenue collections surpassed the figure adopted by the legislature by $135,260,272.   Revenue figures for FY23 were adopted by the legislature earlier this year during the 2022 legislative session and since the

A property tax cut and juvenile justice reforms emerged from the 2022 legislative interim and will be introduced as bills during the 2023 legislative session.   On a 10-3 vote, members of the Property Tax Structure and Tax Burden interim committee approved a proposal providing an eight-figure property tax cut.   In the proposal “one

School Board Members and Administrators, please meet with your legislators before the 2023 legislative session begins in January.   Click here to see what legislators represent your district and click here to view legislator contact information.   “We need our school leaders to meet with their legislators before session begins,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany

Open teaching positions in South Dakota continue to add up each month.   In November, the ASBSD Teacher Placement website, which is hosted by ASBSD for school districts to post teacher and administrator positions they are seeking to fill, logged 158 open teaching positions posted   The 158 open positions in November are three times

ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany will retire from the position in 2023.   “It is with great appreciation and a touch of sadness that we have accepted the plans for Dr. Wade Pogany’s retirement from ASBSD,” ASBSD President Lisa Snedeker of Woonsocket said.   “Dr. Pogany has been a leader in the field of education and

“We will also continue to support South Dakota schools…” wrote Gov. Kristi Noem in her weekly column on Friday (12/2) previewing Tuesday’s (12/6) Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Address.   What the Governor’s statement means for South Dakota’s public schools, remains to be seen.   During the 2022 legislative session, public schools gratefully received a 6

Five important sample policies related to the legal system in some manner received rewrites or updates to its language.   The amended policies include: JEA: Compulsory Attendance Ages, which aligns language in the policy with state statute, references to alternative instruction and removes reference to the School-Based program, as it is referenced in other sample

Board members representing their districts at the 2022 Delegate Assembly engaged in a robust discussion on the proposed legislative platform of ASBSD.   Delegates in attendance approved 44 legislative resolutions, which are pointed legislative policy positions, and 12 standing positions, which are broad statements on legislative policy, that compromise ASBSD’s legislative platform for the 2023

ASBSD’s sample policy IGDA: Student Organizations received a full edit.   “This is a full policy rewrite,” ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services Jessica Filler said. “We recommend school districts who adopted the previous version of sample policy IGDA: Student Organizations consider these changes as soon as they can.”   In addition, IGDA-R(1): Student

ASBSD’s gavel was officially passed at the most recent Board of Directors meeting, where members also approved proposed legislative priorities for Delegate Assembly and new enrollment categories for Association regions.   ASBSD President Lisa Snedeker of Woonsocket was officially passed the gavel from Past President Eric Stroeder of Mobridge-Pollock at the board’s November board meeting.

Two sample policies pertaining to school staff members received revisions.   Modifications to sample policy GBI: Staff Gifts and Solicitations are substantial.   “After review of the sample policy, we made significant edits to acceptance of gifts by employees,” ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services Jessica Filler said. “In addition, changes were also made

References to vaping marked the changes in two sample policies.   Sample policies AEA: Tobacco and Vaping Free Schools and JFC: Student Conduct received edits by the ASBSD policy team.   “Changes made to sample policy AEA: Tobacco and Vaping Free Schools included a prohibition for vaping, as well as the prohibition of distribution or

South Dakota’s proposed social studies standards had their second hearing, recently.   Opponents and proponents shared their sentiments with the state Board of Education Standards – who will ultimately make the decision – on the proposed standards in a more than three hour long hearing in Sioux Falls on November 21.   Those in favor

South Dakota Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson will be leaving her role as leader of the Department of Education at the conclusion of 2022.   Sec. Sanderson has been named President of Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD and will begin serving in that role at the start of 2023.   “I have a

Updated terminology was incorporated into multiple sample policies ranging from school board legal status to students in foster care and a few other topics in between.   BB: School Board Legal Status Changed reference for Vocational Education to Technical Education DBDA: General Fund Balance  Changes the term LEP to the updated term English Learner (EL)

An anonymous tip platform for students, staff and communities to report concerning or threatening behaviors is now active.   The South Dakota School Safety Program launched Safe2Say South Dakota, a 24/7 reporting platform available through the free Safe2Say South Dakota App (available through Apple or Google Play), at https://safe2say.sd.gov/ or at the toll-free telephone number,

A partnership between two state agencies is bringing mental health services to schools FREE of charge!   The Department of Education and Department of Social Services will provide schools with additional support in helping students and their families access available mental health services as well as an understanding of when/how to refer students for mental

Among the most important decisions a school board will make is selecting your district’s administrative leaders.   Whether Superintendent, Business Manager, Principal or other administrative positions, ASBSD and Dakota Education Consulting’s search services is the best option for your school.   Since 2019, ASBSD and DEC have combined their knowledge, networks and experience to conduct

All of South Dakota’s public schools met teacher pay targets for the year and will continue to receive a waiver from their general fund cash balances.   School Finance Accountability Board members received their FY2022 Accountabilities report in which it noted all public school districts met their average teacher compensation target for the year.  

A record number of school boards earned awards in the sixth year of the ALL program.   In 2021-22 91 public school boards – more than 60 percent of the public boards in South Dakota – earned an ALL award, which is ASBSD’s statewide board recognition program and stands for Act, Learn, Lead. The previous

ASBSD has continued its coordinating role for the Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts, which operates in the event a bus traveling outside of its home district fails and is in need of assistance.   ASBSD has collected and supplied a list of emergency phone numbers for the cooperating districts so they

ASBSD’s proposed legislative platform for the 2023 legislative session includes the resolutions and standing positions influence the legislative direction of ASBSD and are voted on by member districts at Delegate Assembly.   The 2022 Delegate Assembly is set for Friday, November 18 in Pierre at the Ramkota Conference Center, at 1 p.m. (Central).   Below

ASBSD First Vice President Louann Krogman, of the White River School District, has been elected to the 2023 National School Board Association’s National Nominating Committee.   Krogman was elected by NSBA Western Region members during their  meeting in Fargo, ND. She will join fellow school board representatives from across the United States on the national

2022’s Policies Required by Federal Law and Annual Notices Required by Federal Law has been updated by the National School Boards Association/Council of School Attorneys (NSBA/COSA).   Links to the 2022 Policies and Annual Notices Required by Federal Law are posted on the ASBSD Policy Services website in the News window, located on the right hand side of the

ASBSD’s 2022 Delegate Assembly is scheduled for Friday, November 18 in Pierre at the Ramkota Conference Center, at 1 p.m. (Central) and EACH member district should send their appointed a board member to represent their school board and vote on positions that help set our legislative direction.   Click the links to review ASBSD’s proposed resolutions and standing

Share your thoughts, listen to others and network with fellow school leaders in-person and online this fall as part of the Wednesdays with Wade meetings.   Join fellow board members, superintendents, business managers and other school leaders, as well as ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany, at a school or on Zoom at one or more

The premier learning event for school board members and administrators will feature 35 and counting Breakout Sessions on Thursday and Friday, August 4-5 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.   Click here to see the Breakout Sessions scheduled to be at the 2022 ASBSD-SASD Convention, which include student achievement, governance & policy, finance & legal,

Whether your district has held, will hold or didn’t have a school board election, state law requires specific information related to an election be noted in board minutes.   South Dakota state law 13-7-30 requires school districts who conducted a school board election to post the following information in their board meeting minutes within 60 days of the

Updated COVID guidance for K-12 schools has recently been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   The updated guidance documents include: Operational Guidance for K-12 School and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning; Frequently Asked Questions for K-12 and Early Care and Education (ECE) Settings: Information for

It’s imperative for all school board members, new and seasoned, to understand their role as a school board member and ASBSD’s New School Board Member Workshop will provide information to enhance your understanding.   Join ASBSD Board Development Director Jim Holbeck on Wednesday, August 3 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Sioux Falls Convention Center at

Get more information and insight on leading a school board at the ASBSD School Board President Workshop in August.   Whether a veteran of the position or new to the role, Presidents AND Vice Presidents should join ASBSD Board Development Director Jim Holbeck from 5-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3 at the Sioux Falls Convention

The S.D. Department of Revenue (DOR) has compiled information that can and should be used to help explain the property tax system in South Dakota to inquiring taxpayers.   There are 4 separate documents that can help with the explanation and to access these documents click on the blue link: DOR Property Tax 101: Our

An interim study affecting the monetary side of public education begins on Monday (6/27).   Fifteen legislators will participate in the Study Committee on Property Tax Structure and Tax Burden, which will study the existing property tax structure; consider means by which the total property tax burden of South Dakotans could be decreased; and to compare

A wide-ranging discussion took place during the first meeting of the interim study on juvenile justice.   The Study Committee on Juvenile Justice began it’s work last week (6/16) hearing testimony from more than 10 individuals connected to the matter whether through schools, law enforcement agencies or in the juvenile court system.   Student truancy served as

It’s time to honor those who give their time and effort to enhance education in their district.   We’re encouraging your district to submit candidates for ASBSD’s School Board Award of Excellence, Outstanding School Board Member of the Year, Community Service Award and Longevity Award.   “Let’s honor the school boards and individuals who have enhanced

With Fiscal Year 2022 nearing its end South Dakota’s revenue collections have exceeded revised projections by nearly $50 million.   May’s revenue collections came in $16 million above the revised projections adopted by the legislature during the 2022 legislative session.   The additional $16 million in May combined with collections in April, March and February

The study on juvenile justice will begin this week.   Fifteen legislators will consider and develop alternatives for the placement of juvenile offenders as part of the Study Committee on Juvenile Justice beginning this Thursday (6/16) at 9 a.m. (Central).   You can listen to the meeting here and view the agenda here.   Wednesday’s agenda includes

Nearly 100 more position openings were posted in May this school year than last on ASBSD’s Teacher Placement website.   At the end of May, ASBSD’s Teacher Placement had 480 open positions listed, which is an increase of 82 positions from May of 2021.   The 480 open positions are almost 100 postings higher than

Registration for the 2022 ASBSD-SASD Convention is now open.   On Thursday and Friday, August 4-5 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center the premier learning event for school board members and administrators will feature: More than 40 breakout sessions covering relevant K-12 topics; Two keynote speeches Ruby Payne and John Draper; An awards banquet honoring administrators, schools

Two interim studies will be of interest to schools in the legislative “offseason.”   The Study Committee on Juvenile Justice will consider and develop alternatives for the placement of juvenile offenders. The interim committee is comprised of 15 legislators that include: Chair Rep. Caleb Finck Vice Chair Sen. Erin Tobin Fred Deutsch Red Dawn Foster

Recap of bills signed into law during the 2022 Legislative Session relevant to public education in South Dakota. To view the bill, click on the blue link.   HB 1087: Revise certain provisions regarding records that are not open to inspection and copying and deliberations in an executive or closed meeting.    Summary:  Incorporates SDCL

ASBSD’s Billtracker reached 86 total pieces of legislation being tracked by the end of the 2022 legislative session with half of those pieces having an ASBSD position of Support or Oppose.   Just slightly more than one-fourth of those pieces of legislation were passed, including seven of the 11 that were supported by ASBSD, and

The best and brightest from the Class of 2022 were recognized for their academic achievements during their high school career.     On Monday (5/9), Governor Kristi Noem and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) honored students who were identified as the top one percent of their senior class, from the state’s Public,

ASBSD’s board met last month to honor one of their members for his service as a director and pass the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.   Tom Farrell was presented a plaque for his eight years of service representing ASBSD’s Southeast Region, 700-1,399 enrollment category on the Board of Directors. Farrell served as ASBSD President in

With only two months left to collect in Fiscal Year 2022, revenue collections remain far above projections, even after they were adjusted during legislative session.   Through April, revenue collections are $32 million ahead of the revised projections with the month of April alone accounting for an additional $20 million more than projections. Compared to

To assist you in preparing and conducting a school board election next year, below you will a list of election materials from both the South Dakota Secretary of State’s office and ASBSD.   An election document can be retrieved by clicking on the blue link below for the corresponding election related material you wish to

Revenue projections for the next fiscal year were adopted recently.   Legislative Appropriators adopted revenue projections at $2.067 billion for Fiscal Year 2023, which is more than $92 million higher than what was proposed by Gov. Kristi Noem in December, on a 14-3 vote.   With the revenue projections exceeding what was projected in December

Legislative Cracker Barrels in your area offer access to your local legislators, as well as the chance to hear their answers on a variety of legislative topics.   Below you will find a list of dates and locations of legislative cracker barrels being held throughout South Dakota that have been posted thus far.   Please

Reducing the sales tax and repealing the Partridge Amendment is the aim of a bill bound for the Senate.   On a 6-1 vote, members of the House Appropriations committee passed House Bill 1327, which reduces the half-cent tax rate on certain products and repeals the Partridge Amendment, while the full House followed suit and

School board members and superintendents remind your district’s high school principal(s) to identify and submit the name(s) of the academic top one percent of the 2022 senior class to be honored at the Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet. ASBSD sent a letter to schools in February requesting they submit their school’s student(s).   The banquet will take place

School board elections are facing a forced date change as a bill advances through the legislature.   House Bill 1300, which requires school district elections be held on dates specified by the legislature, passed the House on a 47-19 vote after passing the House State Affairs committee on a 10-1 vote and also passed the

The South Dakota School Superintendent Association is accepting nominations for their 2022 state awards.   Nominations are being sought for: Outstanding Superintendent; Innovator of the Year; Community Leader of the Year; Rookie of the Year; and Distinguished Service Award. Download the instruction and nomination form here (Word) or here (PDF).   All nominations must be

Two school funding related bills found favor in their legislative process.   House Bill 1080, which extends the average teacher compensation targets until the 2023-24 school year, passed Senate Education on a 6-1 vote and the Senate on a 29-6 vote.   HB 1080 would reinstate the previous requirement in law, which was active for the 2018-19, 2019-20

The South Dakota Secretary of State’s office, ASBSD and the South Dakota Municipal League will again co-sponsor workshops covering all aspects of elections – from notices to the final canvass – including question-and-answer sessions.   Six webinar workshops are scheduled to assist election officers in conducting elections with each webinar limited to 100 participants. Dates,

Property tax adjustment bills have received more attention and discussion this session.   House Bill 1039, which provides for the assessment of certain agricultural land as noncropland, made it out of the House on a 38-30 vote, but was defeated in Senate Taxation on a 6-1 vote.   The bill sought to allow for ag

Four local control linked bills leapt out of the House.   House Bill 1087, which revises protected documents and list of subjects allowed for discussion in executive session, headed out of the House Local Government and full House unanimously.   The bill adds cybersecurity plans and other computer related documents to those protected by the

Kindergarten, education materials and curriculum bills all faced hearings on the House side.   HB 1163, which allows students who are 5-years-old by September 30 and have passed a screening process to be enrolled in Kindergarten, was passed 12-3 by the House Education committee and the House, 40-28. The Senate Education committee also passed the bill

Two bills dealing with staffing in schools saw different ends.   House Bill 1261, which establishes emergency retire-rehire provisions for the South Dakota Retirement System, was defeated on a 10-3 vote.   The bill, which was supported by ASBSD, would have permitted teachers who had been retired for a year to be hired by schools

ASBSD’s Billtracker has climbed to 82 total pieces of legislation being tracked following last week’s bill submission deadline and with two weeks until Crossover Day, which requires all bills to pass their chamber of origin in order to continue during session, the updates will come daily.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   ASBSD

The girls’ sports participation bill reached the gov’s desk and was signed into law.   Senate Bill 46, which changes the process of participation in girls’ sports, passed the House on a 50-17 vote last week (2/1), following the pause of debate on the bill, and was signed into law by Gov. Kristi Noem on

South Dakota School Board Recognition Week is the time to recognize the men and women who dedicate their time and energy to serving on your locally elected school board.   “During School Board Recognition Week, we encourage public school districts to celebrate their elected leaders for their service to the students, staff and community,” ASBSD

Another regulation is potentially on its way to schools.   House Education committee members passed House Bill 1198, which requires the display of the state seal in all public school buildings, on a 10-4 vote on Monday (2-7).   ASBSD opposes the bill with Executive Director Wade Pogany testifying “at the heart” of the bill

The increase in public funding for the private school scholarship reached the governor’s desk.   Senate Bill 71, which increases the private school scholarship fund total to $3.5 million form $2 million, passed the House Education committee on an 8-5 vote and the House on a 44-23 vote to send it to Gov. Kristi Noem

After a few hearings a proposal to pay schools for homeschool student participation has passed.   House Bill 1119, which multiplies 0.10 by the number of homeschool children who are participating in interscholastic activities to the fall enrollment count for the state aid formula, passed the House Education committee on a 9-5 vote. Previously, the

The proposal to establish community-based schools returned this session.   Senate Bill 139, which creates a community-based school utilizing state funds, passed the Senate Education committee on a 6-1 vote.   ASBSD opposes the bill as it was introduced in the same form as it has in previous years thus raising the same questions and

The solution sought in the oath of office bill was found and approved.   House Bill 1077, which modifies the oath elected officials take when assuming office, was amended and passed by the House Local Government committee on an 11-0 vote and the House on a 68-0 vote.   The amendment to the bill clarifies

A bill expediating the study of teacher pay passed the Senate.   On a 34-0 vote, Senators passed Senate Bill 95, which changes the timeline for the Teacher Compensation Review Board to meet from every 3 years to every 2 years.   “I believe this board should meet more frequently,” Sen. Jim Bolin, the bill’s sponsor

The fourth week of legislative session brings the first of three bill submission deadlines and a full week of session that is certain to shake up ASBSD’s Billtracker.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   The latest week of the 2022 legislative session, ended as a very busy one for ASBSD Billtracker as nearly

Teacher Pay Behind Neighbors, Rank Falling Nationally   The average teacher salaries in South Dakota continue to lag far behind those of neighboring states with South Dakota the only state of the group of seven not top $50,000 in average teacher pay in 2019-20.     The closest regional competitor remains more than $3,000 ahead

A close committee vote followed by overwhelming favor on the floor sent teacher pay accountability extension to the Senate.   On an 8-6 vote by the House Education committee and a 65-1 vote by the full House, House Bill 1080, which extends the average teacher compensation targets until the 2023-24 school year, to the Senate.  

The proposed participation change for girls’ sports was stopped short of signature, for now.   Senate Bill 46, which changes the process of participation in girls’ sports, saw its way through the House State Affairs committee on an 11-2 vote, sending it to the House floor, where its debate was delayed following the introduction of

An adjustment to the official oath of elected officials awaits its fate after a committee hearing.   House Bill 1077, which modifies the oath elected officials take when assuming office, was deferred by the House Local Government committee following its initial committee hearing last week (1/25).   The bill’s sponsor Rep. Tina Mullaly called the

Two education related bills took different routes out of committee.   Senate Bill 95, which changes the timeline for the Teacher Compensation Review Board to meet from every 3 years to every 2 years, passed the Senate Education committee unanimously, 7-0.   ASBSD supports the bill.   “I see this bill as a better state

A bill putting the act of hazing on the books in South Dakota saw its way through the Senate   Senate Bill 72, which establishes the crime of hazing and provides a penalty therefor, passed the Senate Judiciary committee on a 7-0 vote and the full Senate by 19-16 margin.   The bill defines hazing

Legislative session enters its third week and ASBSD Billtracker, which provides you with a list of each piece of legislation the Association is tracking during session, continues to be filled with activity.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   Following the second week of the 2022 legislative session, ASBSD Billtracker has added nine more bills

The first step in South Dakota public schools receiving a 6 percent increase in state aid was taken in the legislature.   With a “Do Pass” recommendation, the Senate Education committee referred Senate Bill 59, which provides the 6 percent increase in state aid and special education and revises the property tax levies for school

A moment of silence in schools is momentarily a moot proposal after recent legislative committee action.   House Bill 1015, which requires a moment of silence at the start of each school day, failed to pass the House Education committee after a 9-6 vote.   The bill would have required schools to start each day

The inevitable increase in funding for the private school scholarship program has proceeded in the legislature.   Senate Bill 71, which increases the private school scholarship fund total to $3.5 million form $2 million, passed the Senate Education committee on 5-1 vote and the Senate on a 27-5 vote.   Implemented in 2016, the private

Proposed change to the participation in girls’ sports advanced in the legislature.   Senators passed Senate Bill 46, which changes the process of participation in girls’ sports, on a 27-6 vote, sending the bill across the Capitol’s Hall.   SB 46 would permit only biological females to participate in women’s sports and would grant an athlete

Legislative committee members approved a cutout in property tax assessment of very specific ag land.   House Bill 1039, which provides for the assessment of certain agricultural land as noncropland, passed the House Ag committee on a 10-3 vote.   The bill would change land currently classified as cropland to noncropland if it is greater

With legislative session here for the next nine weeks, ASBSD Billtracker, which provides you with a list of each piece of legislation the Association is tracking during session, is filling up and will be regularly updated.   Learn how ASBSD Billtracker works here.   After the first week of 97th Legislative Session, the ASBSD Billtracker has

A legislative committee advanced a bill banning the participation of anyone other than biological females in girls’ sports at the end of the first week of the 2022 legislative session.   Senate Bill 46, which changes process of participation in girls’ sports, passed the Senate State Affairs committee on an 8-1 vote.   SB 46

South Dakota’s legislative session opened with the Governor’s State of the State address on Tuesday (1/11) with proposals related to public schools getting some of the attention.   Gov. Kristi Noem stated early in her State of the State address South Dakota was stronger than it had ever been, adding the state is “proudly leading

South Dakota’s strong 2022 Fiscal Year continued in December.   Gov. Kristi Noem touted the month and year’s strength in her State of the State Address on Tuesday (1/11) citing “exceptional revenue growth that South Dakota has enjoyed” because of the steps the state has taken in the past few years.   “So far this

School safety resources were highlighted in a recent legislative committee meeting.   S.D. Department of Public Safety Secretary Craig Price discussed the School Safety Resource Center in front of the Senate Judiciary committee on last week (1/13).   Sec. Price noted the School Safety Resource Center presented “opportunities we could take the lead from the

Each member of the House Education returns to their seat on the committee.   The 15-member House Education committee, which will meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:45 a.m., brings every member back for the 2022 legislative session with Rep. Lana Greenfield serving as committee chair for her fourth year.   Let’s get to know the committee

No changes were made to the Senate Education committee for the 2022 legislative session.   Sen. Blake Curd will serve as Chair of the seven-member Senate Education committee, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45 a.m. during the 2022 legislative session.   Let’s meet the committee members:   Sen. Blake Curd (District 12)

Board members, administrators and ASBSD must work together to advocate for support from the legislature for South Dakota’s public education system.   An important part of those advocacy efforts is for member districts to appoint one or more board members to ASBSD’s Legislative Action Network (LAN), which is designed to activate designated members of local

The 2022 legislative session begins this week (1/11) and ASBSD has you covered for coverage of the daily occurrences in the legislature.   Four ASBSD resources will help you keep up-to-date on the 97th legislative session, they include: ASBSD Billtracker ASBSD Blog Legislative Session Documents List of Legislative Cracker Barrels ASBSD Billtracker provides you with a list of

The 2022 legislative session begins on Tuesday, January 11th and the 97th legislative session features many important days during which many pieces of K-12 related legislation will be debated and voted on.   This year’s session contains 38 legislative days and kicked off with Gov. Kristi Noem’s State of the State address at 1 p.m. on January 11th.

Schools received a nearly unprecedented state aid increase proposal from Gov. Kristi Noem for the 2022-23 school year.   At Gov. Noem’s budget address this month she proposed a 6 percent increase in state aid for the 2022-23 school year. The 6 percent increase brings $41 million in new, ongoing funding to state aid.  

Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) is accepting applications for the Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program.   The program is a once-in-a-lifetime, all-expense-paid opportunity that connects science-curious students with peers and mentors as they explore the modern world of STEM research in the summer of 2022.   The Davis-Bahcall Scholars Program is open to South Dakota high school

Complete training individually, at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home with ASBSD’s School Board U!   School Board U is our online training site to cover your training needs and enhance your knowledge of school board work.   Your SBU training will consist of an interactive video presented by ASBSD

Revenue collections exceeded projections for the fifth consecutive month.   November’s revenue collections exceed the legislature’s adopted projections by $14.5 million, which was powered by sales tax collection being nearly $13 million above projection.   The surplus revenue projection for the month brought the 2022 Fiscal Year total collections to nearly $88 million more than

The South Dakota School Safety Center, which is a department with the state Department of Public Safety and provides many safety resources to schools, announced a partnership with the premier anonymous tip reporting platform designed for schools.   P3 Campus, which supplements student safety and mental health initiatives for schools, is the industry leader in

The South Dakota School Safety Center is introducing a new opportunity for South Dakota Schools to keep kids safe and foster a positive school climate.   The program is called “Handle With Care” (HWC) which promotse safe and supportive homes, schools and communities that protect children, and help traumatized children heal and thrive.   HWC programs support children exposed to

Grant funds administered through the South Dakota Office of Homeland Security are now available to South Dakota K-12 schools to increase school safety through threat assessment training.   The program offers training to school officials on how to identify and deal with violent situations. Several South Dakota schools have already registered for the program, which

Member districts sent their delegates to Pierre recently to help set the legislative direction for ASBSD.   Eighty appointed delegates – who were school board members tabbed by their local boards to represent them – attended the 2021 Delegate Assembly in Pierre to pass 40 resolutions and 12 standing positions that will help the Association

ASBSD Board members met for the second time this school year and approved the legislative priorities presented and voted on at the 2021 Delegate Assembly.   Read the report from Delegate Assembly here.   The board reviewed the resolutions and standing positions set to be voted on at Delegate Assembly and decided up on five

The National School Board Association hired its new Executive Director, Dr. John Heim of Kansas.\   Heim, who previously served as Executive Director of the Kansas Association of School Boards for 11 years as part of more than a four-decade career in public education, began his tenure as NSBA Executive Director on November 23.  

Revenue collections continue to soar in South Dakota.   One-third of the way through Fiscal Year 2022 revenue collections continue to climb as the October collection was $12.2 million higher than the projections adopted by the legislature, bringing the state’s total collection in FY22 to $720 million, which is $73 million more than adopted projections.

Before we know it, legislative session will be here along with bills aplenty dealing with public education.   ASBSD is requesting school boards and administrators sit down with there local legislators this fall to discuss the upcoming session and advocate for their support of South Dakota’s public education system.   “Public education could face another

School districts are facing increasingly common cyber-attack vectors, including denial of service attacks, ransomware infections, and data breaches making the need for cybersecurity even greater.   BIT and the DOE are partnering to expand the DDN services available to schools to include Cybersecurity Risk Assessments with a goal to ensure the district employs the technology,

Few changes were made to the current medical cannabis rules following the conclusion the state’s marijuana interim study, which included a review of the medical cannabis laws.   No changes were made during the study to the current laws and policies in place for schools as it relates to the administration of medical cannabis to

ASBSD member districts each need to appoint a Delegate to represent their school board at the 2021 ASBSD Delegate Assembly where their vote on resolutions and standing positions will help set the legislative direction of the Association.   Click the links to review ASBSD’s proposed resolutions and standing positions for the upcoming legislative session and click here to

With regard to the recent National School Board Association (NSBA) actions, ASBSD does not agree with the request for federal intervention in NSBA’s letter to President Biden, nor were we consulted about the letter.   ASBSD respects and trusts school board members to govern their schools in a manner that best suits their district locally. We

Wednesdays with Wade returns this fall in-person AND online.   Join ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany at a school or on Zoom for any of the upcoming seven meetings where he will discuss ASBSD’s resolutions & standing positions, school funding and potential legislation for the 2022 legislative session, the need to advocate for support of

Answers to your questions on the many changes in homeschool laws this school year can be found in the S.D. Department of Education’s Alternative Instruction FAQ.   The multitude of changes came about following the passage of Senate Bill 177, which made significant changes to homeschool laws, and the FAQ was developed in partnership with

ASBSD’s proposed legislative platform for the 2022 legislative session is ready for review ahead of this year’s Delegate Assembly.   The resolutions and standing positions dictate the legislative direction of ASBSD and are voted on by member districts at Delegate Assembly.   The 2021 Delegate Assembly is set for Friday, November 19 in Pierre at

A report detailing teacher pay in South Dakota was recently approved by the board charged with reviewing its progress.   Members of the Teacher Compensation Review Board (TCRB) approved its final report in September and sent it on to Gov. Kristi Noem and the legislature for review. Read the final report here.   Conclusions in

A legislative sub-committee reviewing the medical cannabis statute recently approved recommendations for changes to the state law that could affect schools.   The biggest proposed change would permit a school to prohibit the use of medical cannabis on school grounds unless the adopt a school board policy allowing it.   However, the proposed changes have

More than half of the public school boards in South Dakota earned an ALL Award in the 2020-21 school year.   In the fifth year of ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, 77 school boards, a program record, earned a Gold, Silver or Bronze award. In 2019-20 66 school boards earned

Mobridge-Pollock School Board President and Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) President Eric Stroeder has been elected as a Western Region Director for the National School Board Association’s (NSBA) Board of Directors.   Stroeder was elected as a Director by school members from the nine states that comprise NSBA’s Western Region at their recent

The National School Boards Association/Council of School Attorneys (NSBA/COSA) recently updated and posted Policies Required by Federal Law and Annual Notices Required by Federal Law.   ASBSD Policy and Legal Services Director Jessica Filler requested when school districts review the notices, they especially focus on the addition made in 2021 to the Title IX Summary of Requirements

ASBSD has updated multiple policies related to the student alternative instruction (homeschool) law overhaul by the legislature during the 2021 session.   “The major changes are to policy IGDK: Participation of Alternative Instruction Students and JEAA: Students Alternative Instruction,” ASBSD Policy and Legal Services Director Jessica Filler said.   IGDK: Participation of Alternative Instruction Students Revisions include

ASBSD’s Board of Directors began the 2021-22 year by discussing the board’s executive committee, welcoming two new members and welcoming back two directors, and more.   The ASBSD Board of Directors met the day prior to the 2021 ASBSD-SASD Convention and decided to maintain the current Executive Committee for the board in order to allow

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   ASBSD has created a new sample policy and accompanying exhibit

ASBSD honored school board members, former administrators and public school advocates and community representatives who went above and beyond for their local school districts.   Mobridge-Pollock School Board President and ASBSD President Eric Stroeder earned the 2021 Associated School Boards of South Dakota’s Outstanding School Board Member of the Year honor, which is presented to

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   Five sample school board policies were recently amended by the

Four former school board members were honored for their decade’s worth of service to their local school district.   Former Wilmot School Board Member Denise Lutkemeier received ASBSD’s Longevity Award, which recognizes school board leaders who have served 20 or more years on a local school board.   Lutkemeier served 21 years on the Wilmot

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   School board sample policies related to different aspects of a

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   Student and staff health and safety related policies recently received

Expert school law information is still available in eight webinars this year – at a lower rate!   The great minds in school law in South Dakota covered eight legal topics affecting school districts each in an hour-long webinar and you can still register for them to receive the recordings.   For just $25, you

Board members and administrators will receive expert information and advice on the collective bargaining process as part of ASBSD’s five-part webinar series.   Veteran School Law Attorneys Gerry Kaufman and Rodney Freeman presented their vast knowledge of the collective bargaining process in five separate hour-long recorded webinars, each covering its own unique topic.   For

Since October, ASBSD has had the privilege of having Jessica Filler on the team as the Director of Policy and Legal Services.   “It’s been great to have Jessica on board at ASBSD,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “She’s brought a new perspective along with a vast knowledge base and a desire to work tirelessly.”

There will be an increase in state aid for public schools next school year.   Senate Bill 49, which sets the School District General Fund levy, target teacher salary and overhead rate for FY 2022, received only 5 no votes with Joint Appropriations passing it 16-2, the Senate supporting it 34-0 and the House approving it

The South Dakota Superintendent’s Association is seeking nominations for their annual awards as they look to celebrate great leaders across South Dakota.   The awards categories are as follows: Outstanding Superintendent of the Year Distinguished Service Award Innovator Award Rookie of the Year Award Community Leader of the Year Award The nomination packet can be

Schools are set to receive one-time funding from the 2021 legislative session.   Senate Bill 64, which Revises the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2021, passed the Joint Appropriations committee 18-0, the Senate floor 34-0 and the House floor 58-11.   ASBSD supported the bill, which will provide $11 million in one-time funding to

A bill set to bring about major changes to homeschool statute will become law on July 1.   On a 41-27 vote, the House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to homeschool laws, and Gov. Kristi Noem, surrounded by supporters of the proposal, signed it into law.   Rep. Rebecca Reimers, the

Those interested in applying to be part of the social studies standards revision can do so.   The South Dakota Department of Education is taking applications from educators and key stakeholders interested in being part of this summer’s social studies standards revision process.   Click here to apply.   The Department of Education is seeking

SASD Executive Director Rob Monson has developed an online document for submission of questions related to Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to homeschool laws.   The bill, which passed the House 41-27 and was signed by Gov. Kristi Noem, will become law on July 1 and there are many questions around how different

NSBA is pleased to announce the transformation of its in-person NSBA 2021 Annual Conference Exposition to the NSBA 2021 Online Experience.   The conference will bring world-class programming, inspirational keynotes, top education solution providers, and plentiful networking opportunities over a three day period from Thursday-Saturday, April 8-10.     For additional information and registration details

The Governor’s signature is all that awaits a bill seeking expansion of the private school scholarship program.   Senate Bill 175, which expands the student eligibility options for the private school scholarship program, passed the House State Affairs committee on a 10-3 vote and the full House on a 60-9 vote.   The bill would allow

A proposed study on mental health education in South Dakota awaits its final go ahead after running through the legislature.   HCR 6015, which encourages the Executive Board of the Legislature to create an interim legislative study on mental health education in this state, received approval by the House, a Senate Committee and the full

A streamlined process for unanimous voting during a teleconference is headed to the Governor’s desk.   House Bill 1127, which revises certain provisions regarding official meetings conducted by teleconference, passed the Senate Local Government committee on a 6-1 vote and the full Senate on a 33-0 vote.   ASBSD supports the bill.   “It will

A bill permitting additional media coverage of interscholastic activities or events reached the governor’s desk.   Senate Bill 128, which revises certain provisions related to news media coverage of high school activities, passed Senate and House committees and floor votes with near unanimous support.   The bill permits free access for media outlets to cover

There may only be one final legislative hurdle for a bill bringing sweeping changes to homeschool laws to clear.   Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to homeschool laws, passed the House State Affairs Committee on Monday (3/1) by an 8-5 vote and now moves to the House floor for review and vote, and

With the fate of many of the K-12 education bills decided or in their final legislative stages, the focus in the final two weeks of the legislature’s main run turns to funding.   This week, Senate Bill 49, which sets the School District General Fund levy, target teacher salary and overhead rate for FY 2022, will

Legislative Cracker Barrels in your area offer access to your local legislators, as well as the chance to hear their answers on a variety of legislative topics.   Below you will find a list of dates and locations of legislative cracker barrels being held throughout South Dakota that have been posted thus far.   Please

The civics education update has its funding through the first chamber of the legislature.   On a 63-5 vote, House members passed House Bill 1279, which appropriates $900,000 for the development of civics curriculum and resources.   The proposed one-time funding of $900,000 would go to four areas of the review and development of civics education, including: Creating

School districts seeking to use tax revenue from the wind energy tax only await the Governor’s signature to do so.   House Bill 1066, which authorizes the transfer of wind energy tax revenue from a school district general fund, passed the Senate Education committee on a 6-1 vote and the full Senate on a 35-0

Homeschool law overhaul is headed across the Capitol building hallway for debate and review.   Senators passed Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to alternative instruction, or homeschool laws, on a 21-14 vote.   ASBSD opposes the bill, which now heads to the House State Affairs committee for debate and review.   The bill creates

School districts will continue to receive flexibility with their general fund cash balances.   Members of the School Finance Accountability Board (SFAB) unanimously approved a resolution extending the blanket waiver for school districts receiving federal funds tied to COVID-19 so that would not be penalized in state aid reduction should they exceed the general fund

The creep towards expanding the state’s private school scholarship program continued.   Senate Bill 175, which expands the student eligibility options for the private school scholarship program, passed the Senate on a 30-5 vote.   The bill would allow any students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade to receive a private school scholarship should they meet the income eligibility

Funding for the proposed civics education update came out of its first committee in the legislature.   On an 8-0 vote, House Appropriators passed House Bill 1279, which appropriates $900,000 for the development of civics curriculum and resources.   The proposed one-time funding of $900,000 would go to four areas of the review and development of civics

An increase in state aid for next year and one-time money for this year remain in play after the adoption of revenue figures.   On a 14-3 vote, Legislative Appropriators adopted revenue figures for Fiscal Year 2022, which total $1.834 billion in revenue and is more than $30 million above what Gov. Kristi Noem proposed

School board members seeking additional information about their role can review seven one-hour videos for FREE and earn 20 ALL points for each one watched!     The School Board U Sundays videos are hosted by ASBSD Board Development Director Jim Holbeck and cover a variety of school board topics, including: Social Media Challenges: CLICK HERE;

The loosening of alternative instruction oversight began with committee passage of Senate Bill 177.   Senate Education committee members passed SB 177, which makes significant changes to alternative instruction, or homeschool, laws, on a 6-1 vote.   An amendment to the bill does require proof of age be provided for any student participating in school athletics

South Dakota School Board Recognition Week is the time to recognize the men and women who dedicate their time and energy to serving on your locally elected school board.   “We’ll join together to thank those individuals who show great leadership and dedication, especially during this trying year, on their local public school board during

ASBSD Board members met online recently and received a legislative update and discussed next year’s officers.   Executive Director Wade Pogany provided the Board of Directors with an update from the 2021 legislative session, including funding and key bills.   “Money is still in play,” Pogany said, noting the two biggest funding pieces were the

A bill that would provide school districts and other entities protection against certain lawsuits related to COVID-19 has reached the Governor’s desk.   On a 29-3 vote, the Senate passed House Bill 1046, which limits liability for certain exposures to COVID-19, to send it to Gov. Kristi Noem for review and signature.   “We have a bill

South Dakota’s private school scholarship program could expand should the latest bill chipping away at the program’s initial parameters continues to progress.   Senate Bill 175, which expands the student eligibility options for the private school scholarship program, passed the Senate Education committee on a 6-0 vote.   The bill would allow any students in

A bill adjusting the way tax revenue from wind energy tax can be used by school districts breezed through its first legislative chamber.   On a 14-0 vote, the House Education committee passed House Bill 1066, which authorizes the transfer of wind energy tax revenue from a school district general fund, and on a 68-0

The first debate on a proposal to overhaul alternative instruction laws took place today (2/9).   Senate Education committee members held a nearly two hour hearing on Senate Bill 177, which makes significant changes to alternative instruction, or homeschool, laws, and will continue the bill hearing on Thursday (2/11).   ASBSD opposes the bill.  

A bill streamlining unanimous voting during a teleconference meeting reached the Senate recently.   House Bill 1127, which revises certain provisions regarding official meetings conducted by teleconference, passed the House Local Government committee on a 12-1 vote and the House on a 50-18 vote.   The bill removes the requirement during a teleconference that a

A bill adjusting fees and publication requirements failed to find favor in the House.   House Bill 1050, which changes publication fees and requires notices be posted online, in addition to in print, on a website hosted by SDNA, lost on a 29-41 vote.   ASBSD opposed the bill, which had action delayed on it

A proposal to create a community-school system within a public school district fell in the Senate.   On a 12-20 vote, Senators defeated an amended version of Senate Bill 68, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools. The end comes after the bill passed through the Senate Education committee, but was defeated on its

There’s just a single legislative hurdle left for a bill that would provide school districts and other entities protection against certain lawsuits related to COVID-19.   Senate Judiciary committee members passed House Bill 1046, which limits liability for certain exposures to COVID-19, on a 5-0 vote.   ASBSD supports the bill, with ASBSD Executive Director Wade

Two bills benefitting schools are headed for the governor’s desk.   House Bill 1082, which changes the LEP term to English Learner and amends the EL adjustment for the 2021-22 school year, passed the Senate Education committee on a 6-0 vote and the full Senate on a 31-0 vote, after previously passing the House Education

The Senate confirmed the appointment of Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson recently.   Sec. Sanderson was appointed as interim Secretary in December by Gov. Kristi Noem and receive unanimous support to be permanently appointed to the position by the Senate Education and then full Senate.   Sanderson previously served as a senior policy advisor for

A bill establishing a community-based school system within public school districts was defeated, but then revived this week.   Senate Bill 68, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools, failed to pass the Senate on 14-20 vote on Monday (2/1), but on Tuesday (2/2) a vote reconsider – thus reopening debate and vote –

School districts and other entities across South Dakota will have protection against certain lawsuits related to COVID-19 based on a recent bill passed through the House.   Members of the House State Affairs committee passed House Bill 1046, which limits liability for certain exposures to COVID-19, on a 12-1 vote and the full House passed

A bill creating a new school system within existing school districts cleared its first committee.   On a 6-1 vote, Senate Bill 68, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools, passed the Senate Education committee.   ASBSD opposes the bill due to the legal questions it raises, governance issues it presents and liability concerns

A legislative committee showed support for a bill making major adjustments to the notice publication requirements.   On an 8-5 vote, House Local Government committee members passed House Bill 1050, which changes publication fees and requires notices be posted online, in addition to in print, on a website hosted by SDNA.   ASBSD opposes the

The bill providing public schools an increase in state aid had its first hearing of the legislative session.   Senate Bill 49, which sets the School District General Fund levy, target teacher salary and overhead rate for FY 2022, was expectedly sent to the Joint Appropriations Committee on a 7-0 vote by the Senate Education

An update on what to expect for civics education in South Dakota was provided recently.   Sec. of Education Tiffany Sanderson shared information with two legislative committees last week about the proposed updates to civic education discussed by Gov. Kristi Noem in December and January.   Sec. Sanderson told members of the Senate Education committee

A bill amending the instruction and hours during a state emergency reached the Governor’s desk.   Senate Bill 46, which allows for the consideration of certain instruction to count towards the minimum number of hours required in a school term during a declared state of emergency, passed both chambers’ education committees and the full chamber

The following information was provided by the National School Boards Association (NSBA).   On Saturday, December 26, 2020, President Donald Trump signed into law the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, a $900 billion legislative package to assist with the COVID-19 national emergency.   As part of the package, education received $82 billion in

Advocating on behalf of our public school system is an important job and ASBSD’s Legislative Action Network (LAN) steps up to take on that task.   The ASBSD Legislative Action Network is designed to activate designated members of local school boards to represent the legislative positions of the Association and their local board.   Every

Along with the ongoing increase of 2.4 percent to state aid for next school year, there are three proposed one-time funding plans that have been outlined.   In addition to the ongoing funding increase, Gov. Kristi Noem proposed $11 million in one-time money for student enrollment impacts from the COVID19 pandemic. The S.D. Department of

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

A bill attempting to create a new school system that was defeated last session will be back next year after receiving the support of the State-Tribal Relations committee.   On a 10-0 vote, the committee endorsed the draft of the bill, which will create and fund Oceti Sakowin community-based schools. A similar bill was defeated

The latest federal COVID-19 emergency relief fund includes $54 billion for K-12 public education.   The $54 billion for K-12 public schools does not include a condition related to funding based on schools physically reopening and operating with in-person education. The legislation also extends the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) spending deadline to December 30, 2021

The 2020-21 School Board/Municipal Election Workshops will be held online starting in December.   ASBSD in conjunction with the Secretary of State’s office and the South Dakota Municipal League are co-sponsoring webinar workshops covering all aspects of elections – from notices to the final canvass.   The six webinars are free of charge and offered

The South Dakota Department of Education is seeking an addendum, waiver and amendment to its Every Student Succeeds Act State Plan and is seeking public comment.   The proposed addendum creates a streamlined accountability process to address the impacts of COVID-19, while the waiver is specific to the 95 percent participation rate and school support

South Dakota’s public school districts are in line to receive a state aid increase above inflation for the 2021-22 school year.   At her budget address on Tuesday (12/8), Gov. Kristi Noem proposed a 2.4 percent increase in state aid, which is above the 1.5 percent inflation level required to be provided in state law,

Nearly 90 Delegates took part in the first-ever online Delegate Assembly last month.   Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 ASBSD Delegate Assembly took place on the Zoom online platform where 87 delegates approved 39 legislative resolutions and 12 standing positions, which set the Association’s legislative platform for the 2021 legislative session that begins

LeRoy Hellwig was a dedicated public servant to and great advocate of public education. Hellwig passed away peacefully at the age of 81 last month.   Elected to the Sisseton School Board in 1971, Hellwig served more than 40-years on his local board and worked hard to assure tax dollars were maximized and sought to

The final meeting of 2020 for the ASBSD Board of Directors was held online last month.   Directors met prior to the 2020 Delegate Assembly, which you can read about here, and approved the legislative priorities to be presented and voted upon by Delegates.   The five resolutions approved by the Board as advocacy priorities

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   The National School Boards Association/Council of School Attorneys (NSBA/COSA) recently updated and

A record number of school boards earned an ALL Award in 2019-20 school year.   In the fourth year of ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, 66 school boards earned a Gold, Silver or Bronze award. In 2018-19 52 school boards earned an award, in 2017-18 56 boards and in 2016-17

Recently, Tiffany Sanderson was appointed as Secretary of Education by Gov. Kristi Noem.   The Governor’s appointment of Sanderson is effective December 9, 2020. Sanderson, who currently serves a senior policy advisor for Gov. Noem, will succeed Dr. Ben Jones, who has been named the new executive director of the South Dakota State Historical Society.

The South Dakota School Safety Program is offering schools a free School Infrastructure Survey and Assessment. This program is housed under the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.   The ideal time for completing a School Infrastructure Survey and Assessment is prior to a critical incident, not in response to a critical incident.   Information collected

What is Interest-Based Bargaining?   Board members and administrators can learn more about this approach during ASBSD’s Collective Bargaining Webinar: Interest-Based Bargaining on Thursday, December 17 at 12 p.m. (Central).   Join School Law Attorneys Gerry Kaufman and Rodney Freeman and Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Commissioner Ron Morrison as they discuss Interest-Based Bargaining’s collaborative

As your district’s appointed delegate for ASBSD’s Delegate Assembly, you have an important role for your district and for your state school board Association as you will vote on the legislative direction of ASBSD for the 2021 legislative session.   This year, we’re asking all appointed delegates join us on the online webinar Zoom platform

ASBSD’s Delegate Assembly is the time to establish your state school board association’s legislative direction and share your district’s view on key legislative topics. Appointed delegates will vote on ASBSD’s resolutions and standing positions, which set the legislative path for the 2021 legislative session.     Please submit your appointed delegate’s name and information by Tuesday,

ASBSD’s resolutions and standing positions dictate the legislative direction of the association.   They are an extremely valuable reference for our legislative advocating efforts and, as we’ve seen in past legislative sessions, are the guides for ASBSD to follow when controversial legislative issues, which our member schools do not hold a consensus opinion on, are introduced.  

ASBSD is bringing more school board topics, talk and training to you this Fall.   Beginning in October we will be hosting two webinar series – one focused on advocacy and another on school board topics – for board members and administrators to enhance their knowledge of and gather new information on each topic.  

The first of two Coronavirus Relief Fund, or CRF, payments was made to districts the previous week, so long as the S.D. Department of Education received a signed grant Memorandum of Understanding from the district.   The initial payment is $500 per student based on the district’s 2019 fall enrollment and the second payment will

Joint legislative committees overseeing education discussed Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) for K-12 and issues facing schools this year as a special legislative session looms.   Members of the House and Senate Education committees met jointly (9/16) to submit ideas to the Joint Appropriations Committee for review when they meet Wednesday, September 30.   Learn more

Leniency related to general fund cash balance caps could be coming for school districts.   Members of the School Finance Accountability Board (SFAB) met recently (9/22) and passed a resolution granting a waiver from the general fund cash balance cap for school districts who receive Coronavirus Relief Funds.   Download the SFAB Resolution here and

ASBSD has continued its coordinating role for the Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts, which operates in the event a bus traveling outside of its home district fails and is in need of assistance.   ASBSD has collected and supplied a list of emergency phone numbers for the cooperating districts so they

The 2020 ASBSD-SASD Virtual Convention was held last month and even if you missed it live, your district can still obtain all the information, presentations and resources shared during the event.   Any district registering for access to the event will be able to review the recorded sessions for 25 breakout sessions, the panel discussion

Governor Kristi Noem proclaimed September to be Suicide Prevention Month.   In conjunction, the South Dakota Department of Education is inviting school administrators, counselors, teachers and board members to attend one of two webinars on Model School Policy: Suicide Prevention.   The webinars will be held Tuesday, September 29 at 10-11 a.m. (Central) and 2-3

The latest iterations of ASBSD’s legislative platform for the 2021 legislative session are available for review.   The resolutions and standing positions dictate the legislative direction of ASBSD and are voted on by member districts at Delegate Assembly.   This year’s Delegate Assembly is set for Friday, November 20. At this time, ASBSD is planning

South Dakota school districts are set to receive Coronavirus Relief Funds, or CRF.   Below you will find the main pieces of CRF for schools: Noem has announced that an additional $75 million in CRF grant funding will be made available to South Dakota’s public and non-public K-12 schools. The U.S. Treasury’s updated guidance allows

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   The ASBSD Policy Committee has approved

ASBSD continues our coordinating role for the Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts on the occasion a bus traveling outside of the district fails.   In the event of an emergency, a school bus driver, or authorized personnel, would call the nearest cooperating Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact district to secure

ASBSD saw its gavel passed and a new President take the helm.   Wilmot School Board President Denise Lutkemeier completed her year-long term as President of ASBSD by passing the gavel to Mobridge-Pollock School Board Chairman Eric Stroeder.     “It has truly been an honor to work for this organization and serve it,” Lutkemeier

White River School Board Member Louann Krogman has been elected as the Second Vice President of the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.   ASBSD’s Second Vice President serves an integral role on the Association’s Executive Committee, which comprises the leadership team of the 18-member Board of Directors.   Krogman was appointed as an At-Large

ASBSD Board Members met last month to welcome new members, approve updates to the Executive Committee, approve resolutions and standing positions and more.   Brandon Valley School Board Member Ellie Saxer and Rapid City School Board President Curtis Pochardt were elected to the 18-member ASBSD Board of Directors.   Saxer is representing the Southeast Region,

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   ASBSD Policy Services has made available

For 2020-21, the Council of School Attorney’s Board of Directors voted to hold all events online.   Beginning this fall, a schedule of school law webinars, which will be a substitute for all in-person events, will commence and cover a variety of topics related to school law.   “The COSA board made the prudent decision

Recently, ASBSD and SASD hosted three reopening school sharing sessions across the state for administrators to join together and share with each other how they were preparing for the 2020-21 school year in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic.   “We had a great group of meetings with administrators from all locations, environments and enrollment

The 2020 ASBSD-SASD Convention will be held virtually on Thursday, August 6 and will begin at 9 a.m. with a keynote speech from Devin Hughes of The Orange Frog group followed by 15 live breakout sessions covering a variety of topics and a panel discussion on the upcoming school year with state officials, with EACH

As school districts approach an unprecedented to start to a school year there are many different resources available to assist in the planning and preparation.   Below you will find links to a variety of guides from ASBSD, the South Dakota Department of Education, as well as the Department of Health: ASBSD Reopening of Schools

As Fiscal Year 2021 begins the wave of school funding comes to districts.   The first half of state aid and special education funding will be made and to find out the amounts your district is set to receive click each link below: Click here to see District-by-District State Aid Funding (first half) Click here

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal

A career filled with invaluable experience and institutional knowledge in school law is concluding as ASBSD Director of Policy and Legal Services Gerry Kaufman will retire in September.   “My goal, when making the decision to go to law school after serving as a public school counselor for 8 years, was to work in the

Whether or not they held a school board election, all school districts have a statutory requirement to post specific election information within their board minutes this year.   In 2018, SDCL 13-7-30 became law requiring schools to report certain school board election information in their minutes.   Even if your district is not holding an election in

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis continues efforts to gauge the extent of the disease’s disruption on the economy—including on school districts, as well as city and county governments—of the Ninth District, a region that includes South Dakota, and Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and parts of Wisconsin and Michigan.  

There will be no special legislative session this month, which means schools will receive the two percent funding increase prescribed by state law on July 1.   “We will not be having a special (legislative) session in June,” Gov. Kristi Noem said at her press conference on Thursday (6/4), adding that her administration would “continue

The 2020 ASBSD-SASD Convention will be held virtually this year.   On Thursday, August 6, ASBSD and SASD, in conjunction with TIE, will host a virtual Convention for board members and administrators.   “Moving the ASBSD-SASD Convention to the virtual platform from our regular face-to-face event was a difficult decision,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany

Revenue collections were mildly ahead of projections for the month of May.   Overall for the month, collections were $1 million ahead of the projections adopted by the legislature in February and the gain brought the year-to-date figure to a $4.37 million deficit.   “Overall what they (revenue figures) will show you is that we’re

Get the best school law information from ASBSD and COSA legal experts by registering for one or more of our School Law Webinars.   The seven recorded webinars offer board members participating a chance to earn 20 ALL points for their board and administrators can earn 1 hour of continuing education units. The cost of

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   The ASBSD Policy Review Committee recently

Four board members will take their seats on the ASBSD Board of Directors in August.   Three members will continue their tenures on the board – Duane Alm of Aberdeen, Pam Haukaas of Colome Consolidated and Anita Peterson of Haakon – while the Board of Directors will welcome new a member, Ellie Saxer of Brandon

With any school board elections postponed until this month, school boards and school district officials are reminded to complete a canvass of their election, should one have been held.   South Dakota Codified Law 13-7-18, Canvass of election results–Certificates of election–Certification of results, states: The pollbooks shall be opened and the election results shall be

Three representatives of ASBSD are part of a group of those associated with education developing guidance about reopening schools in the 2020-21 school year.   ASBSD President Denise Lutkemeier, Past President Tom Farrell and Executive Director Wade Pogany joined the group convened by the South Dakota Department of Education to put together a guidance document

South Dakota revenue collection has begun to show the impact of the Coronavirus.   April’s revenue collection came in $18 million less than what was adopted by the legislature earlier this year.   The S.D. Bureau of Finance and Management noted in it’s COVID-19’s Delayed Impact on South Dakota document that “a larger impact” was

A record number of school boards have earned an award in ASBSD’s board recognition program in 2019-20.   So far, in ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, 65 school boards have reached the Gold, Silver or Bronze award levels.   ALL recognizes board members’ participation in outside activities, board development and

School districts can be virtually trained in youth mental health first aid free of charge.   Through Project AWARE, the South Dakota Department of Education is offering a train-the-trainer course in youth mental health first aid at no cost to school districts.   Training topics include: How to identify, understand and respond to signs of

Like many school boards across the state, the ASBSD Board of Directors met remotely in April.   April’s meeting marked the final one for two ASBSD Board of Directors – Yankton’s Kathy Greeneway and Rapid City’s Mike Roesler.   “Kathy and Mike have been such an inspiration,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “They’re just

The best and brightest from the Class of 2020 are being recognized for their academic achievements during their high school career.   Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the 30th Annual Academic Excellence Luncheon was cancelled.   However, Gov. Kristi Noem and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) set out to honor

With the outbreak of the Coronavirus, school board election dates will change and how to handle that change has been outlined by the Secretary of State’s office.   Download the UPDATED: 2020 School Election Calendar   Postponed Election Legislation   House Bill 1298, which provides for the postponement of certain elections, passed the House on

The Secretary of State’s office has requested school districts contact their county auditor immediately and provide the district’s contact information in order for the county auditor’s office to forward absentee ballot requests to the school district.   County auditors are processing many absentee ballot requests on which voters are requesting “all” absentee ballots they are

Below are three options SASD and ASBSD have compiled for school boards and districts to consider should they choose to hold your upcoming school board meetings remotely. We are not endorsing any of the services, but simply wanted to make you aware of what may be available to your school board and district.   We

Due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus, ASBSD has cancelled the 2020 Academic Excellence Luncheon.   The annual luncheon, which is held in conjunction with Gov Kristi Noem’s office, honors the best and brightest of the graduating class.   “We’re disappointed to have to cancel the luncheon, but it is in the best interest of

Two percent is still currently in the cards for school districts for the 2020-21 school year, but the possibility of a special session looms.   At the end of the legislative session and prior to the outbreak of the Coronavirus in the state, Gov. Kristi Noem and the legislature came together to support a two

The Coronavirus outbreak has had an impact on the state’s economy that has yet to be seen.   School districts received the two percent increase required by law, which is three percent or inflation, whichever is less and inflation for Fiscal Year 2021 is at 2 percent. That increase is in flux as a special session looms

Gov. Kristi Noem has decided school buildings will not reopen for the 2019-20 school year and the legislature passed two laws waiving certain requirements of school districts.   “It just doesn’t make sense to bring our kids back into our school buildings this year,” Gov. Kristi Noem said during a press conference last week.  

Special education is set to receive an increase in aid for the 2020-21 school year.   House 1042, which sets the Special Education levy and disability level funding for FY 2021, passed the House on a 60-7 vote and the Senate on a 32-2 vote.   HB 1042 sets the maximum special education fund levy

ASBSD is urging school leaders to both complete their 2020 Census information and recommend those within their district and communities do the same.   The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete and your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads and other

A smoke-out attempt didn’t save a bill creating a new school system in South Dakota, which had previously been defeated in committee.   Senate Bill 66, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools, was defeated by the House Education committee on a 9-5 vote with a smoke-out attempt being unsuccessful on the House floor

In its final vote, a compromise bill on capital outlay provisions proved to have overwhelming support.   House members passed Senate Bill 170, which revises certain provisions regarding school district capital outlay funds, on a 65-3 vote. Among the four votes it took between two committees and two chambers, the bill only had four “No” votes.

It wasn’t unanimous, but a new provision for purchases with capital outlay reached the Governor’s desk.   House members voted 50-18 to pass Senate Bill 174, which permits capital outlay funding to be used to purchase or renew instructional software. Votes on the bill had previously been all “Yes.”   “Today’s modern classroom is so

Committee member downed an amended bill that would have set precedent in the bond elections of school districts.   On a 6-0 vote, Senate Education committee members defeated House Bill 1263, which requires school district bond elections to have 30 percent voter turnout to be valid.   ASBSD opposed the bill.   “This is a

School boards will likely be working with an increased bid limit at the start of Fiscal Year 2021.   House members passed Senate Bill 135, which increases the bid limit for certain public improvements to $100,000, on a 58-8 vote after the House Local Government committee had passed the bill on a 12-0 vote.  

A change to the minor boundary change process proceeded through the Senate.   On unanimous votes, Senators and the Senate Education committee passed House Bill 1255, which removes the requirement for a mandatory appraisal in minor boundary changes.   “Two school boards can make the (minor boundary change) decision by resolution, take a vote and

The latest members of the state Board of Education standards were confirmed recently.   Phyllis Heineman’s and Julie Westra’s appointments to the South Dakota State Board of Education were approved unanimously by the Senate Education committee and on a 31-3 by the full Senate. In January, Gov. Kristi Noem appointed each individual to the state board.  

A bill expanding the Jobs for America’s Graduates in the state reached the governor’s desk.   Following a unanimous vote by House Education committee members, Senate Bill 39, which creates Jobs for SD’s Graduates program and special donation fund, passed the House on a 60-7 vote and was signed by Gov. Kristi Noem. ASBSD was

Gov. Kristi Noem has provided the following message:   Thank you to you and your staff for all you’ve done over the last two weeks to support students and families. In these unprecedented times you’ve made quick shifts in your delivery and opened access to your resources in heroic ways. I appreciate your willingness to

It is the goal of everyone associated with education in South Dakota to provide as much information and resources to assist schools during this trying time.   The South Dakota Department of Education has assembled a document of commonly asked questions compiled into one resource for school districts to reference and will update it regularly

Statewide assessments will not be required for the 2019-20 school year.   The U.S. Department of Education has informally approved the South Dakota Department of Education’s waiver of statewide assessment requirements, accountability and school identification requirements for the school year.   Through this waiver, South Dakota will not need to administer its statewide assessments to

The School Law Webinar series is returning to connect you with the best minds in school law and security.   Join COSA and ASBSD as our school law experts cover seven key legal and security topics affecting school districts in an hour-long webinar, which will also feature time for you to get your questions about

The question has been asked about how school boards should deal with school board meetings in light of the coronavirus.  ASBSD recommends conducting all school board meetings by teleconference during the coronavirus crises.   State law allows school boards to conduct meetings by teleconference (SDCL 1-25-12(4) defines “teleconference” as information exchanged by any audio, video,

The Secretary of State’s office is continually providing information and guidance on how to handle upcoming school board elections and we have compiled the latest to provide to you.   In a recent statement, Secretary of State Steve Barnett said, “State law does not allow for the rescheduling of these dates or the extension of

With the recent confirmation of Coronavirus reaching South Dakota, ASBSD, SASD, the state Department of Education and the state Department of Health is providing information and action steps to all school districts to combat and prevent the spread of the virus.   Download the S.D. Department of Health Information for Schools on the Coronavirus here.

To continue to assist school districts in managing operations during the Coronavirus outbreak, the School Leaders Risk Management Association (SLRMA), a partner of ASBSD, is providing a SLRMA COVID-19 Self-Audit Checklist & Best Practices free to the public for download.   You can download the checklist and best practices here: https://www.slrma.org/news/checklists/1250-covid-19-checklist.     SLRMA, a not-for-profit

Due to concerns about the recent Coronavirus as well as most events statewide being cancelled, ASBSD has decided to CANCEL the three Negotiations Workshops in Sioux Falls (3/18), Pierre (3/25) and Rapid City (3/26). We are discussing potential ways to provide this content to members in other settings and should something emerge, we will provide

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   The ASBSD Policy Review Committee updated

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   The ASBSD Policy Review Committee completed

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman   The ASBSD Policy Review Committee recently

A compromise on revisions to the different capital outlay provisions is getting closer.   Just one legislative hurdle remains for Senate Bill 170, which revises certain provisions regarding school district capital outlay funds, after last week (2/25) Senators passed it on a 35-0 vote and on Monday (3/2) House Education committee members passed it 12-0. ASBSD

Local school boards will maintain their local control over their school board election dates and board member terms will stay as they are now after the defeat of a bill infringing on local control was defeated.   House Education committee members voted 9-5 to defeat House Bill 1177, which dictates the date of school board

There was no resistance on a bill creating a new school system in South Dakota as it crossed the Capitol hall.   Senators voted 35-0 in favor of Senate Bill 66, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools.   Sen. Troy Heinert said the bill “let’s parents work with the district and provide an

A bill repealing immunization requirements in schools was soundly defeated.   On a 10-2 vote, House Health committee members rejected House Bill 1235, which removes all immunization requirements for students to enter school.   ASBSD opposed the bill.   “Schools are a safe place for kids,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany testified. “Everyone in your

It’s been nothing but unanimous votes in favor of a new provision for purchases with capital outlay.   The Senate Education committee, then the Senate floor and most recently the House Education committee unanimously supported Senate Bill 174, which permits capital outlay funding to be used to purchase or renew instructional software.   ASBSD supports

A bill attempting to dictate the election dates for referred capital outlay certificates cleared the House.   An amended version of House Bill 1263, which requires capital outlay certificate referendum votes be held in conjunction with a general election, passed the House State Affairs committee on an 11-1 vote and the full House on a

Legislative Cracker Barrels in your area offer access to your local legislators, as well as the chance to hear their answers on a variety of legislative topics.   Below you will find a list of dates and locations of legislative cracker barrels being held throughout South Dakota that have been posted thus far.   Earn

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,

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

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

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.

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,”

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

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

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,

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.  

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.

It took three votes for a bill adjusting the timelines schools have to provide information to parents to get out of committee.   After two votes – to defeat and then pass – deadlocked at 7-7, House Education committee members sent House Bill 1218, which requires responses and reporting regarding student, testing, evaluation and observation,

The confidentiality students share with counselors is in danger as committee members passed a bill removing the right.   House Bill 1167, which circumvents the confidentiality between student and counselor, passed the House Education committee on an 8-6 vote. The bill would require a counselor to share any disclosure a student makes in a session

A bill reimbursing schools for training costs related to the Sentinel program crossed the Capitol hall.   House Bill 1152, which provides financial assistance for school sentinel training, passed the House of Representatives on a 45-25 vote last week.   HB 1152 would provide a $1,500 reimbursement – paid by the S.D. Department of Education – to school districts

A bill pushing back the enrollment eligibility date for kindergarten reached the halfway point in the legislature.   On a 62-7 vote, Representatives passed House Bill 1174, which changes the kindergarten enrollment eligibility date.   Starting in 2021, HB 1174 would move the cutoff date for kindergarten enrollment from September 1 to August 1 thus requiring

The open enrollment process in school districts will remain the same next year after the defeat of a bill placing a specific prohibition on the option.   Representatives voted 17-52 to defeat House Bill 1173, which prohibits a school board from denying an application for open enrollment from certain students. ASBSD opposes the bill.  

The chances of schools seeing an increase in state aid were buoyed by last week’s adopted revenue projections.   Members of the Joint Appropriations committee adopted revenue projections for Fiscal Year 2021 $19 million higher than what was projected by Gov. Kristi Noem during her budget address in December, which did not include a proposed

A proposal to remove the permanence of specific opt-outs found its way out of committee, but floundered when it reached the floor.   House Bill 1159, which allows for referral of opt-outs approved prior to 2002, passed the House Taxation committee on a 9-3 vote, but failed on the House floor on a vote of

Former teachers looking to return to the profession may have a more fluid process to do so as a bill streamlining their route continued on in the legislative process.   On a 6-1 vote, Senate Education committee members passed House Bill 1032, which revises BOE authority related to certification rules, and that was followed by a

Legislators had other plans for an other revenue equalization exclusion.   Senators defeated Senate Bill 111, which excludes certain wind energy tax revenue from the state aid formula, on a 12-22 vote on Tuesday (2/11).   SB 111 would have excluded wind energy from the current other revenue equalization process by going through an eight year

The latest kindergarten admissions related bill advanced out of committee.   House Bill 1174, which changes the kindergarten enrollment eligibility date, passed out of the House Education committee on a 13-1 vote on Wednesday (2/12).   HB 1174 would move the cutoff date for kindergarten enrollment from September 1 to August 1 thus requiring any

A bill that would have lowered the age for admission to kindergarten was denied on the House floor.   On a 16-47 vote, Representatives defeated House Bill 1157, which provided for kindergarten enrollment options. ASBSD was monitoring the bill, which had passed out of the House Education committee earlier in the week.   The bill would

Below you will find the meeting agenda for the ASBSD Board of Directors meeting being held in Pierre, SD on Monday, February 17. A PDF version of the agenda can be downloaded on the Publications & Forms page.   ASBSD Board of Directors Ramkota River Center, 12:00 p.m., Pierre, SD   Call to Order – President Lutkemeier 1.1

Three bills are in the queue will decide what happens with the future of the Capital Outlay fund.   House Bill 1198, which repeals certain Capital Outlay provisions, Senate Bill 94, which revises provisions for the capital outlay fund, and Senate Bill 170, which revises certain provisions regarding school district capital outlay funds, are all

A major day in deciding what school funding will look like for the next school year is coming up.   The Joint Appropriations committee will hear revenue projections on Wednesday, February 12 and adopt revenue projections for the upcoming fiscal year the following day. Those figures will assuredly play a role in whether or not

South Dakota School Board Recognition Week is the time to recognize the men and women who dedicate their time and energy to serving on your locally elected school board.   “Join school districts across the state in thanking the men and women who served on their local public school board during School Board Recognition Week,”

Three very different education related issues reached the House floor on Monday (2/10).   House Bill 1152, which provides financial assistance for school sentinel training, passed the House Education committee on 10-5 vote. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.   HB 1152 would provide a $1,500 reimbursement – paid by the S.D. Department of Education –

A bill excluding one other revenue source from the current step-down equalization process proceeded in the legislature.   On a 5-2 vote, Senate Taxation members passed Senate Bill 111, which excludes certain wind energy tax revenue from the state aid formula.   Currently, six other revenue sources that can be collected by school districts –

A bid limit increase bill cleared its initial hurdles in the legislative process.   Senate Local Government committee members passed Senate Bill 135, which increases the bid limit for certain public improvements to $100,000, on a 4-3 vote and the full Senate passed the bill on a 22-13 vote.   ASBSD supports the bill, which

An amended version of a bill adjusting what’s allowed at graduation ceremonies advanced to the floor without recommendation, but failed to get on the calendar once there.   On its third vote, House Bill 1134, which, as amended, permits the wearing of a beaded graduation cap at a graduation ceremony, headed to the House floor

Two bills took different directions on their way out of an education committee.   Senate Education committee members quickly passed House Bill 1031, which revises certain provisions regarding school district fiduciary funds, on a 7-0 vote on Thursday (2/6). The bill also passed the full Senate and just awaits the signature of Gov. Kristi Noem

A resolution supporting raising awareness of epilepsy crossed the hall in the Capitol.   On a 65-0 vote, Representatives approved House Concurrent Resolution 6007, which supports students and other persons afflicted by epilepsy and raising awareness of epilepsy in South Dakota.   An amendment brought on the Senate floor states: WHEREAS, the Epilepsy Foundation has

A bill providing a more fluid process for former teachers to return to the profession reached the halfway point in the legislative process.   Representatives passed House Bill 1032, which revises BOE authority related to certification rules, on a 49-17 vote. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.   Rep. Bob Glanzer said the bill would allow

Groups on either side of a bill setting up a separate school system that receives state dollars have two weeks to reach an agreement to present to education committee members.   Senate Education committeemen unanimously agreed to bring Senate Bill 66, which creates and funds Oceti Sakowin community-based schools, back on Thursday, February 14 in

South Dakota’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program took another step towards becoming law.   On a unanimous vote, Senators passed Senate Bill 39, which creates Jobs for SD’s Graduates program and special donation fund. The bill previously passed Senate Education on a 7-0 vote.   The public-private partnership program would allow the program to collect

The conversation on capital outlay is just beginning this legislative session.   Last Monday, the first bill related to adjusting the caps on capital outlay, Senate Bill 67, fell in Senate Taxation on a 6-1 vote, but later in the week two additional bills were introduced in House Bill 1198, which repeals certain Capital Outlay

ASBSD plans to hold a final free ASBSD LAN Update webinars beginning at 7 p.m. (Central) for LAN members to discuss their role as a LAN member, advocating strategies and provide updates from the 2020 legislative session. The webinars are scheduled for:   Only business managers can register multiple people from their district for an

Two new individuals await confirmation to join the state education board.   Gov. Kristi Noem appointed Phyllis Heineman and Julie Westra to the South Dakota State Board of Education. Heineman and Westra await final confirmation from the Senate Education committee and full Senate.   Heineman served 16-years in the legislature, most recently in the Senate,

Is Your School District Ready for the 2020 Fair Labor Standards Regulations?   ASBSD’s partnership with the School Leaders Risk Management Association (SLRMA) provides FREE access to the latest resource on the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).   FLSA directs the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to promulgate regulations to implement the intentions of the FLSA. In September of 2018,

The conversation surrounding solutions for capital outlay got started on Monday (1/27).   Senate Taxation members may have defeated Senate Bill 67, which amends the Capital Outlay levy for sparse school districts, on a 6-1 vote, but they heard from individuals representing schools that a solution was needed and another bill forthcoming. ASBSD was monitoring

The 2020 election cycle for the ASBSD Board of Directors is about to begin and seats in the following regions and enrollment categories will be up for election: Central region with enrollment 265 & Under Agar-Blunt-Onida, Bowdle, Colome Consolidated, Edmunds Central, Eureka, Gettysburg, Herried, Highmore-Harrold, Hoven, Jones County, McIntosh, Selby Area, Smee and South Central Northeast

The South Dakota Superintendent’s Association has revamped their awards’ structure to include five awards for 2020.   The five awards include: The Outstanding School Superintendent Award The Distinguished Service Award The Innovator Award The Rookie of the Year Award The Community Leader of the Year Award The awards application can be downloaded here and must

At their first committee meeting of the session, one group of legislators focused on education got synopsis of the challenges facing South Dakota’s public school districts.   Huron Superintendent Terry Nebelsick shared the “state of our public schools” with members of the House Education committee last week (1/22), touching on students, test scores and teachers

A bill aimed at increasing participation in the Jobs for America’s Graduates program across the state made its way out of committee last week (1-23).   On a 7-0 vote, the Senate Education committee passed Senate Bill 39, which creates Jobs for SD’s Graduates program and special donation fund.   The public-private partnership program would

Two bills started the legislative process by proceeding forward.   House Bill 1031, which revises certain provisions regarding school district fiduciary funds, passed the House Education committee and the full House on unanimous votes, recently.   S.D. DOE Finance Management Director Cody Stoeser called it a “clean up bill to align some language with governmental

Schools are now able to register their participating 10th grade students in the South Dakota Week of Work matching system.   The first-ever South Dakota Week of Work is slated for April 20-24, 2020 and the initiative is a partnership with businesses and schools that will give 10th grade students the opportunity to get out of the classroom,

Every member of the House Education committee will return to their post.   The 15-member House Education committee, which will meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:45 a.m., brings every member back for the 2020 legislative session with Rep. Lana Greenfield serving as committee chair for her second year.   Let’s get to know the

There’s a single change to the Senate Education committee for the 2020 legislative session.   Sen. Blake Curd will serve as Chair of the seven-member Senate Education committee, which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:45 a.m. Sen. Alan Solano resigned from the legislature last fall.   Let’s meet the committee members:  

South Dakota’s revenue figures from the holiday season brought with them some cheer and a note from Gov. Kristi Noem during her State of the State Address that any extra money should be prioritized for K-12 education.   “Since my budget address, revenues have been slightly better than expected,” Gov. Noem said during her address

The 2020 legislative session began today (1/14) and ASBSD has you covered for coverage of the daily occurrences in the legislature.   Four ASBSD resources will help you keep up-to-date on the 95th legislative session, they include: ASBSD Billtracker ASBSD Blog Legislative Session Documents List of Legislative Cracker Barrels ASBSD Billtracker provides you with a list

The 2020 legislative session began today (1/14) and the 95th legislative session features many important days during which many pieces of K-12 related legislation will be debated and voted on.   This year’s session contains 37 legislative days and kicked off with Gov. Kristi Noem’s State of the State address this afternoon (1/14).   Friday,

The Associated School Boards Protective Trust (ASBPT) has a new home online.   ASBPT has moved all its online information to http://asbsd.org/index.php/protective-trust/ and you can access the page by visiting www.asbsd.org and clicking the “ASBPT” link at the top of the page:     OR through the “Read More” link found under the “Protective Trust”

Two webinar workshops – with two different times available – remain on the schedule to assist election officers in conducting elections for the 2019-20 school year.   The Secretary of State’s office, Associated School Boards of South Dakota and the South Dakota Municipal League will again co-sponsor workshops covering all aspects of elections – from notices to the final canvass –

The most recent revenue figures for South Dakota tell two different stories.   November’s revenue numbers are either very good or very bad, depending on the projections used. Based on revenue projections adopted by the legislature during the 2019 legislative session, the revenue figures for November came in $8.7 million higher than projected, but utilizing

Nearly halfway through this recent ALL year, 54 school boards have earned an award in ASBSD’s board recognition program.   In the fourth year of ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, the 52 school boards having already earned a Gold, Silver or Bronze award equals the total number of boards that

The superintendent search partnership between ASBSD and Dakota Education Consulting is off and running already with four active searches.   Superintendent searches are underway for the Chamberlain, Ethan and Hot Springs School Districts and for the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.   Chamberlain’s application deadline is Thursday, January 30, 2020 and

South Dakota school districts cannot ignore their risk of facing a cybersecurity breach.   To avoid a breach, South Dakota’s Bureau of Information and Telecommunications (BIT) and the Department of Education are partnering to expand the DDN services to include Cybersecurity Risk Assessments with a goal to ensure a school employs the technology, policies and

State health officials have a developed a comprehensive guide for school districts in search of support for dealing with student vaping.   The South Dakota Department of Health has compiled a summary of resources and technical assistance for schools on the topic of vaping. The summary also provides a link to Regional Tobacco Prevention Coordinators

Shrinking revenue collections are scaling back spending in the state budget resulting in schools not receiving an increase in state aid for next school year.   “Money is tight this year,” Gov. Kristi Noem told legislators during her Fiscal Year 2021 budget address. “I will not be able to recommend inflationary increases.”   Gov. Noem

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Director of Policy and Legal Services Gerry Kaufman  

Discussion revolving around online sales tax revenue returned to the legislature recently.   Legislative Research Council representatives Wenzel Cummings and Jeff Mehlhaff appeared before the Legislature’s Executive Board recently (12/3), just a few weeks after (11/19)  sharing information on Sales Tax Reduction from Remote Sales with the committee.   At the November meeting, the Executive Board voted

ASBSD President Denise Lutkemeier was appointed to a national committee recently.   Lutkemeier was appointed to the National School Board Association’s Policies and Resolutions Committee by NSBA President ElizaBeth Branham.   “I am deeply honored by President Branham’s appointment to NSBA’s Policy and Resolutions Committee,” Lutkemeier said.   “It is an exciting opportunity to sit

Recommendations have emerged from the legislative committee charged with studying special education.   Last month, the Special Education Interim Legislative Committee concluded their in-depth look at special education without formal recommendations being acted upon or presented to the Legislature’s Executive Board members at their November meeting.   Recently, however, the final interim committee report to the Executive

ASBSD’s school risk management partner is seeking feedback from members.   School Leaders Risk Management Association (SLRMA), which provides FREE access to risk management resources and many other valuable checklists to ASBSD members, wants to hear from their members on the service provided to them.   Click here to take the 2019 SLRMA Member Survey   The survey

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Director of Policy and Legal Services Gerry Kaufman  

Lively discussion at ASBSD’s Delegate Assembly helped lay out the legislative direction for the Association for the upcoming legislative session.   More than 70 school board members were in attendance at Delegate Assembly to vote on 36 resolutions and 12 standing positions, as well as set the Advocacy Priorities for ASBSD.   “Your attendance today

ASBSD Board of Directors proposed legislative priorities and set updated enrollment categories for the Association at their latest meeting.   Meeting prior to ASBSD’s Delegate Assembly, the Board of Directors agreed to present the following legislative priorities to the Delegates: C1: School Funding C4: Capital Outlay Adjustments B9: Behavioral and Mental Health Resources Those priorities

Online sales tax revenue was on the agenda for legislature’s lead committee this week.   Members of the Legislature’s Executive Board received a report on Sales Tax Reduction from Remote Sales, which in state statute is the reduction of the sales tax by one-tenth of percent for every $20 million raised by Internet sales, also

The legislative committee charged with studying special education completed their study but had not introduced any formal recommendations as of Monday (11/18).   The Special Education Interim Legislative Committee met last week (11/13) for the third and final time of the legislative interim. The committee was created by the passage of Senate Bill 3 during this year’s

No major proposed property tax legislation emanated out of the legislature’s ag committee.   The Ag Land Assessment Task Force met recently (11/15) and approved two pieces of legislation to be introduced during the 2020 Legislative Session: House Bill Draft 248: To authorize the Secretary of the Department of Revenue to contract with certain entities

Looking for assistance when dealing with student suspension?   ASBSD’s partnership with the School Leaders Risk Management Association (SLRMA) provides FREE access to this resource and many other valuable checklists to our members.   SLRMA has provided school leaders the Due Process Requirements for Out-of-School Suspension Self-Audit Checklist and Best Practices. Take a moment to download this checklist here

ASBSD’s paperless board meeting option has subscribers sounding off about the service.   Wagner Community School District was the first Quorum subscriber, which launched in August when ASBSD and Sparq Data solutions partnered up, and Business Manager Lory DuFrain called the transition to the program “seamless.”   “The Wagner Community School District administrative team and school board

South Dakota has received three grants totaling almost $2 million designed to help South Dakota school districts prevent and address threats of violence at their schools.   Governor Kristi Noem recently announced the S.D. Department of Public Safety (DPS) received three grants from the Bureau of Justice Assistance STOP School Violence, which is part of

ASBSD members can review a new resource on best practices on safety and security in schools.   Aside from installing expensive electronic security systems and transforming school buildings into fortresses, does your school district have a sound and updated plan to prevent, prepare for, and respond to violent acts and other threats to the safety

ASBSD’s Delegate Assembly is the time and place to establish your state school board association’s legislative direction and share your district’s view on key legislative topics.   Delegates will vote on ASBSD’s resolutions and standing positions, which set the legislative path for the 2020 legislative session.   Click the links to review ASBSD’s proposed resolutions and standing positions for

At their August meeting, members of the ASBSD Board of Directors approved changes to the Association’s legislative resolutions and standing positions recommended by the ASBSD Policy and Resolutions Committee.   The resolutions and standing positions dictate the legislative direction of ASBSD and are voted on by member districts at Delegate Assembly. This year’s Delegate Assembly will be

ASBSD’s resolutions and standing positions dictate the legislative direction of the association.   Download the resolutions and standing positions here.   As member districts, you have the opportunity to vote on the resolutions and standing positions each year at Delegate Assembly. This year’s Delegate Assembly is set for Friday, November 15.     Before Delegate Assembly, your district also has the opportunity

The opioid antagonist administration training video is now available.   The South Dakota Department of Health recently completed the Naloxone in High Schools Project, but if you were unable to attend, you can still complete the training by watching the webinar video.   Click here to review the Naloxone in High Schools training video. (Please note:

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     With ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany serving on the

A new initiative was introduced recently aimed at getting high school students real-life workplace experience.   Governor Kristi Noem announced in a recent weekly column the first-ever South Dakota Week of Work is slated for April 20-24, 2020.   The initiative is a partnership with businesses and schools that will give 10th grade students the

ASBSD and Dakota Education Consulting are teaming up to offer school boards the best option in superintendent search services.   Since 2011, Tom Oster has operated DEC and successfully conducted many superintendent searches for districts all across South Dakota while ASBSD has provided a similar service to many school boards over the years.   The

Two state agencies are collaborating to provide FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid training.   S.D. Department of Education and the Department of Social Services–Division of Behavioral Health, through the Project AWARE grant, are offering an eight-hour Youth Mental Health First Aid training program at no cost to adults who regularly interact with adolescents (teachers,

A new partnership is powering a new paperless board meeting option for ASBSD members.   ASBSD and Sparq Data solutions have launched a paperless board meeting service for Association members known as:     “We wanted to offer our members the best available option in paperless board meeting services and our partnership with Sparq Data

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services

Former Superintendent Jim Holbeck has joined the staff at ASBSD.   Holbeck, who most recently served as Superintendent in the Harrisburg School District and has decades of experience in public, K-12 education, has been named the ASBSD Board Development Director and Board Member Services Director. He succeeds Dr. Randy Royer who retired in August.  

Those high school administrators interested in completing training for opioid antagonist administration will have another opportunity in September.   The South Dakota Department of Health will host a FREE webinar covering the Naloxone in High Schools Project, which is the opioid antagonist administration project initiated by the passage of Senate Bill 84 during this year’s

Committee members convened recently to continue their study of special education in South Dakota.   The 14-member legislative interim study committee, which was created through this year’s passage of Senate Bill 3, spent time discussing the challenges at hand and possible solutions.   “What started out addressing one thing has opened up many other things,” Rep. Nancy Rasmussen,

Through the first two months of available activities and training events, more than 30 school boards have earned a board recognition award.   This year (2019-20) marks the fourth for ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, and recognizes board members’ dedicated participation in a variety areas, with points earned by participating

ASBSD has continued its coordinating role for the Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts, which operates in the event a bus traveling outside of its home district fails and is in need of assistance.   ASBSD has collected and supplied a list of emergency phone numbers for the cooperating districts so they

September marks Attendance Awareness Month.   “It’s back-to-school season, which is an exciting time,” South Dakota Secretary of Education Ben Jones said in a press release. “The research tells us that half the students who miss two to four days of school in September will end up missing almost a month of school over the

Districts can now be trained to enhance students’ workplace skills free of charge via a developing state department program.   The S.D. Department of Labor and Regulation is developing a student version of their Bring Your “A” Game to Work training, which offers an engaging curriculum designed to foster foundational workplace skills and work ethic.

ASBSD has a new President of the Board of Directors after the gavel was passed at the August meeting.   Madison Central School Board President Tom Farrell completed his year-long term as ASBSD President by passing the gavel to Wilmot School Board President Denise Lutkemeier.   “This has been a wonderful experience and wonderful opportunity,”

Woonsocket School Board Vice Chair Lisa Snedeker was elected as the Second Vice President of ASBSD by her fellow Board of Director members.   ASBSD’s Second Vice President serves an integral role on the Association’s Executive Committee, which comprises the leadership team of the 18-member Board of Directors.   Snedeker currently serves as the representative

ASBSD Board members started the year with a meeting prior to this year’s ASBSD-SASD Convention.   The Association’s Board of Directors welcomed a new member, as White River School Board Member Louann Krogman was appointed as an At-Large representative for ASBSD’s Central Region.   The 2019-20 school year marks Krogman’s fifth year on the White

ASBSD honored former Gov. Dennis Daugaard, school board members and individuals from communities at the 2019 ASBSD-SASD Convention.   Former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard received the School Bell Award, which honors individuals or organizations who have served South Dakota public education in an exemplary fashion.   Former Gov. Daugaard lead the effort to provide $67

The latest risk management newsletter from an ASBSD service partner is available.   ASBSD’s partnership with the School Leaders Risk Management Association (SLRMA) provides our member districts FREE access to a variety of checklists and best practices focused on school board and district protection and this quarter’s newsletter focuses on hazing in K-12 schools.   Hazing in K-12

For the second consecutive year more than one-third of public school boards earned statewide recognition for their dedicated participation in activities, board development and training and demonstrated leadership at various areas and levels.   In the third year of ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL, which stands for Act, Learn, Lead, 52 school boards earned a Gold, Silver

The ASBSD Protective Trust board is seeking candidates for two open positions.   The eight-member PT board has an opening for a school board member whose district is a member of the health fund and for a school board member whose district is a member of the workers’ compensation fund.     Each position will

ASBSD will continue a coordinating role for an Emergency School Bus Mutual Assistance Pact between school districts for the occasion that a bus traveling outside of the district fails.   In the event of an emergency, a school bus driver, or authorized personnel, would call the nearest cooperating district to secure a bus and/or driver

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services

There’s still time to register for the premier learning event for school board members and administrators.   “Don’t miss this opportunity to become more informed and equipped to be a leader in your community,” Woonsocket School Board Member Lisa Snedeker said. “The ASBSD and SASD Annual Convention is the best place in South Dakota to

Help yourself better understand your role as a school board member or as a school board president or both at any of the upcoming ASBSD workshops.   ASBSD Leadership Development Director Dr. Randall Royer will host Board Member Roles and Responsibilities Workshops AND School Board President Workshops at multiple locations across South Dakota in July

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).     By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services

South Dakota finished Fiscal Year 2019 with a $19 million budget surplus, but some aspects of revenue collection underwhelmed, which could become a trend in Fiscal Year 2020.   Much of the $19 million surplus was a result of budget reversions from state departments with more than $17 million in reversions. Revenue collection came in

ASBSD is seeking a highly qualified individual to lead the Association’s efforts in providing quality school board training and promote member services.   Our Leadership Development Director must be able to: Engage effectively with school board members and have the credibility and experience to train boards in effective boardsmanship; Understand the services ASBSD provides and

The Aberdeen School District adopted the SafeSchools Online Training System in 2014 and has found one of the many benefits of the system is the staff meeting time that’s been trimmed each year.   Assistant Superintendent Camille Kaul estimates that SafeSchools Training has saved Aberdeen 40 hours a year in meeting time!   “SafeSchools Training

After six years and hundreds of board members trained, ASBSD Leadership Development Director Randy Royer will retire at summer’s end.   “I’ve totally enjoyed my time with ASBSD and working with school board members and school administration during the last six years,” Royer said.   “I am so glad there are so many focused-on student

For more than six hours a group of legislators, those in education and community members heard five presentations about special education topics in their first meeting studying the broader subject.   The 14-member legislative interim study committee, which was created through this year’s passage of Senate Bill 3, is charged to review: To examine the diagnostic tools

ASBSD’s guide will prepare new, current and potential school board candidates for their role on the board.   ASBSD Leadership Development Director Dr. Randy Royer has revised and updated a brief video guide (and printable presentation) to share with new, current and potential school board members.   “The latest edition of the guide walks interested individuals through the steps of becoming a

During the 2019 legislative session, legislators passed Senate Bill 90, which revised financial interest statement submission requirements for elected officials, and Gov. Kristie Noem signed the bill, which will bill be enacted on July 1.   The new law (3-1A-4) amends the financial interest statute affecting school board members of a school district with a

During the 2018 legislative session, legislators passed and former Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed into law Senate Bill 66, which requires schools to report certain school board election information in their minutes.   The law was enacted on July 1, 2018 and school districts MUST post the required information within 60 days of the official canvas that follows the annual school

The schedule is set for the premier learning event for school board members and administrators!   The 2019 ASBSD-SASD Convention will be held Thursday and Friday, August 8-9 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and feature nearly 40 informative breakout sessions covering school finance, school board governance, student achievement, important legal topics in K-12 education and

Interact with and learn from your fellow board members and administrators at the 2019 ASBSD-SASD Convention on Thursday and Friday, August 8-9 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.   More than 500 school board members and administrators will attend Convention, which will be headlined by keynote speeches from legendary Nebraska Cornhuskers Football Coach Tom Osborne and the

The ASBSD Board of Directors is seeking two At-Large representatives to sit on the board.   Currently, there are two At-Large seats available to represent the Central Region’s 1,400-9,999 enrollment category and the Western Region’s 700-1,399 enrollment category.   Click here to learn more about the Role of the ASBSD Board.   School board members

Schools will have the opportunity to participate in training related to emergency planning in June.   South Dakota’s Office of Emergency Management will host Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Schools on Wednesday and Thursday, June 13-14 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Mitchell.   The course provides participants with the knowledge, skills and tools needed

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services  

Policies of a school district, especially those negotiated with bargaining representatives for the protection of teachers, have the full force and effect of law, and legally bind the school district. Wessington Springs Ed. Assoc. v. Wessington springs Sch. Dist., 467 N.W. 2d 101 (S.D. 1991).   By Gerry Kaufman, ASBSD Director of Policy & Legal Services  

Members of the ASBSD Board of Directors convened in Western South Dakota in April.   Board members toured Ellsworth Air Force Base in Box Elder prior to the meeting.     “It was an honor to have the opportunity to tour Ellsworth Air Force Base,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “The Board Members soaked

The group charged to take on the in-depth legislative study of special education in South Dakota has been appointed.   Fourteen members – five legislators and nine other individuals – will serve on the Special Education Interim Legislative Committee, which was created by the passage of Senate Bill 3 during this year’s legislative session.  

It’s time to honor those who give their time and effort to enhance education in their district.   We’re encouraging your district to submit candidates for ASBSD’s School Board Award of Excellence, Outstanding School Board Member of the Year, Community Service Award and Longevity Award.   “We want to recognize the school boards and individuals who

The best and brightest from the Class of 2019 were honored for their academic achievements at the 29th Annual Academic Excellence Banquet in Pierre on Monday (4/29).     In conjunction with Gov. Kristi Noem, the Associated School Boards of South Dakota invited more than 200 students, who were identified as the top one percent

The best minds in school law in South Dakota brought their vast knowledge and information to you in a series of eight School Law Webinars.   Administrators can earn 1 CEU hour and Board members attending can earn 20 ALL points for their board!   The school law experts from COSA and ASBSD covered eight,

As your district’s 2019 graduation date approaches, ASBSD wants to remind schools that any student choosing to wear an eagle plume or eagle feather during the graduation ceremony must be allowed to do so.   In 2018, the legislature passed House Bill 1252, which prohibits certain government entities from prohibiting any person from wearing traditional tribal

With the governor’s signature on the final few bills left in legislative session, South Dakota schools are officially set to receive a 2.5 percent increase in state aid for the 2019-20 school year.   On Wednesday (3/27), Gov. Kristi Noem signed Senate Bill 191, which appropriates funds for the FY2020 general fund budget, and Senate

The two legislative chambers left the 2019 session still divided on how to adjust the state sales tax rate.   House and Senate members agreed to wait until next year to deal with the Partridge Amendment after a legislative conference committee could not come to an agreement on House Bill 1265, which adjusts the Partridge Amendment and permits

The premier learning event for South Dakota school board members and administrators is seeking people to share their expertise and knowledge with the large contingent of school leaders who will attend the 2019 ASBSD-SASD Convention.   The ASBSD-SASD Convention will be held at the Sioux Falls Convention Center on Thursday and Friday, August 8-9.   Download

The group charged with reviewing and acting upon accountability waivers met for the first time in 2019.   School Finance Accountability Board (SFAB) members convened on Monday (3/25) to review timelines for accountability waiver and update the teacher compensation accountability request for waiver form.   Established in 2016 as part of the funding formula overall,

One-third of South Dakota school boards have earned an ALL Award in 2018-19 and many more are easily within reach of joining them.   Fifty school boards have earned a Gold Level award (500 points), Silver level plaque (350 points) or Bronze level honor (250 points) through ASBSD’s board recognition program: ALL.   “With three months to go we’ve nearly

The homestretch is here for the K-12 education levy bills.   Senate Bill 179, which revises the property tax levies for the general fund of school districts and for state aid, passed the House Appropriations committee on a 6-1 vote and the full House on a 60-2 vote.   “School boards need your help,” ASBSD

What a difference a few weeks has made in the conversation about adjusting the state sales tax rate.   House Bill 1265 and Senate Bill 86 each passed their respective chambers as their plans to adjust the Partridge Amendment, however, upon reaching the other sides of the Capitol, the State Affairs committees of each chamber

The civics test saw its end in South Dakota’s citizen legislature.   On a vote of 13-21, Senators defeated a once again amended House Bill 1066, which requires students to take a civics test before graduating from high school.   A bill that had been wrung through the amendment ringer multiple times ultimately failed to find

Civics education will remain status quo for the upcoming school year.   House members voted 30-33 against Senate Bill 52, which required schools to provide information for a survey of the adequacy of S.D. civics education, after House Education committee members voted 10-3 in favor of the previously hoghoused bill.   ASBSD opposed the bill,

The proposed in-depth study on special education is on its way to the governor’s desk.   Senate Bill 3, which creates the Special Education Interim Study to study special education in South Dakota, was amended and passed by the House Education committee on an 11-3 vote and by the House on a 48-16 vote, before being

ASBSD will host three Collective Bargaining Seminars in March to assist school board members and administrators when negotiating the 2019-2020 contract with teachers (and, support staff, if support staff has a recognized bargaining unit).   The 2019 Collective Bargaining Seminars schedule includes:   The seminars will include a short overview of the law with a

School board members and superintendents remind your district’s high school principal(s) to identify and submit the name(s) of the academic top one percent of the 2019 senior class to be honored at the Academic Excellence Recognition Banquet. ASBSD sent a letter to schools in February requesting they submit their school’s student(s).   Gov. Kristi Noem and ASBSD, in

Local control may have lost out on the motto posting bill, but legislators agreed to protect the schools for following the mandate.   House members amended and passed Senate Bill 55, which requires public schools to display the national motto of the United States – “In God We Trust” – in a prominent location in

A bill resetting the membership of a special education oversight board and establishing it in state statute is headed to the governor.   After unanimous votes by the House Education and full House, Senate Bill 1, which establishes the Extraordinary Cost Oversight Board in state statute and amends membership, headed to Gov. Kristi Noem for