Associated School Boards of South Dakota | 2018 Legislative Session

February01: Bill prohibiting confidentiality settlements heads to House

A bill hampering the legal settlement options available to the state and other political subdivisions headed for the House on Thursday (2/1). Senate Bill 84, which prohibits the state of South Dakota or any political subdivision from entering into a settlement agreement that includes a nondisclosure or confidentiality clause, passed the Senate on a

February01: Three education bills cross Chambers

Three education bills crossed Chambers on Wednesday (1/31). Senators passed Senate Bill 46, which requires school districts to adopt a policy limiting the use of restraint and seclusion, on a 32-3 vote. Sen. Deb Soholt told her fellow Senators the bill would “give guidance for the school district for their local control decision

January31: Comm. defers action on homeschool participation bill

The right to make local decisions on student activity participation remains in limbo. House Education committee members took testimony on Wednesday (1/31) House Bill 1120, which permits students receiving alternative instruction be deemed academically eligible by complying with alternative instruction requirements and allowed to participate in activities sponsored by the SDHSAA or school districts,

January30: Addition to school property tax exemption approved

A bill clarifying school property tax exemptions passed committee on Tuesday (1/30). House Taxation committee members passed House Bill 1143, which revises certain provisions regarding the tax exemption of certain school owned property, on a 10-4 vote. HB 1143 would specifically codify language exempting housing owned by school districts for certified teachers to

January29: Two different actions on ed. bills on Chamber floors

The Capitol’s Chamber floors saw two different actions on education related bills on Tuesday (1/30). Representatives passed House Bill 1045, which transfers $7.2 million to the general fund to support state aid to education in Fiscal Year 2018, on a 66-1 vote. The bill is not in its final form and will be adjusted

January26: Approps comm. approves bill related to current fiscal year budget

A bill revising funding for the current school year passed out of committee on Thursday (1/25). Joint Appropriators passed House Bill 1045, which transfers $7.2 million to the general fund to support state aid to education in Fiscal Year 2018, on a unanimous vote. The revision in funding will cover increases in state

January25: Bill prohibiting confidentiality settlements passes comm.

A bill hampering the legal settlement options available to the state and other political subdivisions found its way out of committee this week. The Senate Judiciary committee passed Senate Bill 84, which prohibits the state of South Dakota or any political subdivision from entering into a settlement agreement that includes a nondisclosure or confidentiality

January25: Comm. passes bill requiring policy limiting restraint and seclusion use

Committee members passed a bill relating to the use of restraint and seclusion of students in schools. On a 5-1 vote, members of the Senate Education committee passed Senate Bill 46, which requires school districts to adopt a policy limiting the use of restraint and seclusion. ASBSD supports the bill and testified in

January24: Dual credit program bill proceeds to House floor

The codification of a program helping students further their post-secondary education took a first step on Wednesday (1/24). On a unanimous vote, members of the House Education committee passed House Bill 1099, which revises certain provisions regarding dual education credit. The bill would put into law the dual credit program that allows students

January23: Kirkegaard, Sly and Guffin appointments approved by Senate

Three key appointments in education were approved earlier this week. Members of the Senate voted to approve Don Kirkegaard as Secretary of Education, as well as former Rep. Jacqueline Sly and Aberdeen Superintendent Becky Guffin as members of the South Dakota Board of Education Standards. “The man has dedicated his life to education,”