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 monitoring the bill.

 

The public-private partnership program would allow the program to collect grant dollars, gifts, donations and other funding methods in order to initiate, expand, support, enhance or carry out the objectives of the South Dakota JAG program in districts throughout South Dakota.

 

Currently, the JAG program is established in a handful of districts, but based on the very compelling testimony during the bill’s House Education committee hearing, it could benefit many more students.

 

“With JAG, you have hope that you will succeed,” Thea Dubray, a student in the JAG program in the Bennett County School District, testified. “JAG saved my life.”

 

“Please consider putting JAG into more schools in South Dakota.”

 

Rep. Nancy Rasmussen noted on the House floor how the testimony in committee proved the program “touches a multitude of people’s lives” while Rep. Lee Qualm added he has “seen success story after success story” emerge from the program.

 

For updates on everything related to K-12 education, check the ASBSD Blog.