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 32-1 favorable vote in the Senate to send the bill to Gov. Kristi Noem’s desk for review and signature. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

 

S.D. DOE Certification Officer Carla Leingang said the bill makes the route for former teachers to “reenter the profession” smoother and is “one more tool to address teacher shortages.

 

Leingang told committee members the bill would assist former teachers with an inactive or invalid certificate, which means they have either taken an extended leave from teaching or did not renew their teaching certificates, to save “time and money” in doing so by paying a small fee and completing additional requirements for renewal.

 

“To get people back in the profession…is excellent,” Sen. Wayne Steinhauer said of the bill, which now heads to the Senate floor for review and vote.

 

For updates on the bill and others going the process in the 2020 legislative session, check the ASBSD Blog and Bill Tracker page.