SASD

Governor Rhoden held a press conference in Sioux Falls today where he stated that South Dakota will enter into the agreement of the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Program which will start in January of 2027. The Governor said it would also be available for public schools

We were proud to partner with The Cook Center, COMPASS and SDSSA over the past three days providing a learning academy for 25 SD school superintendents. Looking forward to next year already.

Congratulations to Becky Haenfler on being selected as the 2026 Teacher of the Year. Becky is from the Avon School District.

Josh Cowen, an expert in studying and speaking about vouchers is kicking off our ASBSD / SASD Joint Convention in Sioux Falls. There are over 500 administrators and school board members present for two days of learning. The start of school is right around the corner!

SB 190, a voucher bill guised as a tax credit was defeated on the Senate Floor on a vote of 24 to 11. Stay proud of your public school!

SB 190, a bill to divert tax dollars to private schools and home school students is being heard on the Senate floor. We oppose this bill on the basis it will cause a shortfall of tax dollars to support your public schools

SB 190, a tax credit for private or home school expenses has passed the Senate Education Committee this morning on a vote of 4 to 3. We are opposed to this bill as it will impact local funding of your school districts

SB 190 is a tax credit for homeowners to receive a credit for private school or homeowner expenses for school options. We are opposed to this bill on the basis of not knowing what the fiscal impact would be to our school districts and no accountability

SB 51 did not pass the House Floor by a vote of 37 to 31. We were opposed to this bill

SB 51 which would require the posting of the 10 Commandments in every public school classroom, and to be included in curriculum in first grade is being considered on the House Floor. SASD is opposing this bill as it is already permissible in current law

SB 51 on the Ten Commandments was heard in House Education today. A motion was made to send it to the 41st Day, which would kill the bill, it was voted down on a vote of 8 to 7. The next motion was to pass it to the floor on a vote of 8 to 7.

HB 1093, which will align school bond elections with a general or primary election has passed House Ed on a vote of 8 to 5. We oppose this bill based on the fact that timely elections can save SD taxpayers millions of dollars

HB 1054 mandates that every school district implements a policy to authorize an individual to volunteer or be paid as a Chaplin passed out of House Ed on a vote of 10 to 5. SASD opposed this mandate on our schools

HB 1009 was sent to the 41st day this morning on a 8 to 7 vote. HB 1020 was also defeated on a 9 to 6 vote. One or both of these bills will more than likely resurface somewhere.

HB 1020 is going to be heard in House Ed this morning. We are opposed to this bill on the basis that public dollars should remain in public schools. There is a GREAT showing of public education supporters in the room!

SB 51, posting of the Ten Commandments, passed out of Senate Education on a 4 to 3 vote. We have a position of opposing this bill

SB 51, posting the Ten Commandments is being heard in Senate Education this morning. We are opposing this bill

HB 1009, the first voucher bill, has been deferred to next week as the committee has requested a fiscal not from the Bureau of Finance and Management. It should be dealt with next week.

HB 1009, the first voucher bill is being heard in House Education with a vote coming soon. We are in OPPOSITION to this bill.

Although they may disguise the name and call them scholarships, tax credits for school choice etc. - the fact is it’s diverting public school dollars and has NOT worked in other states.