Three house bills passed out of the legislative chambers on Wednesday (2/14).
Senators passed House Bill 1099, which revises certain provisions regarding dual education credit, on a 25-8 vote. The bill had previously passed the Senate Education committee, 5-1.
“This program has been a great success,” Sen. Jim Bolin said during discussion on the Senate floor. Sen. Bolin noted thousands of courses were taken in the previous school year by high school students and eligible students saved nearly $7 million in post-secondary costs.
The bill codifies the dual credit program that allows students in grades 9-12 to take general education college courses as high school credit with students in the 11-12 grades earning college credit through the program.
ASBSD is monitoring HB 1099, which now heads to Governor Dennis Daugaard’s desk for a signature.
In the House chamber, Representatives passed House Bill 1166, which provides the Joint or Interim Appropriations committee the power to approve, amend or deny teacher compensation waivers, on a 54-8 vote.
ASBSD supports the bill.
“This gives (the committee) some flexibility to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on some pieces,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany testified during HB 1166’s House Appropriations committee hearing.
HB 1166 now heads to the Senate for review.
Finally, members of the House passed House Bill 1114, which establishes certain requirements for students enrolling in resident school districts or assigned schools after participating in open enrollment, on a 50-14 vote.
HB 1114 allows a student who has open enrolled out of their resident district to return to the resident district as long as they notify the district by August 1. The affected school board or boards can permit a student transfer to the resident or other district after the deadline should special circumstances exist.
ASBSD supports the bill.
“If you’re a resident of that district, you really have some standing in that district and should be able to come back,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany testified during the bill’s House Education committee hearing at which time it was passed on an 11-1 vote.
“We think that’s a better position.”
During HB 1114’s debate on the House floor, Rep. Wayne Steinhauer, the bill’s prime sponsor, said the bill would allow for “better communication and planning” in school districts as there are “no provision” in law currently that require students “to notify their residential district if they plan to return.”
The bill now moves to the Senate for review.
For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD Blog, Bill Tracker page, Twitter feed and Facebook page.