2020 Legislative Session

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2020 Legislative Session

Capital outlay compromise bill clears committee

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

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New school system bill sent to Senate floor

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

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Other revenue bill ousted from session

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

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Decision delayed on bill creating school choice funding account

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

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Inquiry and reports timeline adjustment bill advances

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, …

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Bill circumventing counselor confidentiality continues on in session

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 …

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Bill reimbursing schools for Sentinel training to Senate

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 …

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Kindergarten enrollment eligibility bill on to Senate

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 …

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Open enrollment prohibition bill prohibited from advancing

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.   …

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State aid increase in play after revenue figures higher than December’s numbers

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 …

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