Category: School Funding

People and parameters picked for school funding study
Posted Monday, May 13, 2013

Members of the Legislature’s Executive Board met today to select committee members and set subject parameters for the legislative interim study on school funding, which was selected by the board in April.

Committee members will be asked to examine how the school funding formula affects a district’s decision to seek an opt-out or utilize special tax a levy, funding’s effect on graduation and technology’s relation to teaching.

“I think we need to be concerned with the funding formula…and if that’s working for schools,” Rep. Kathy Tyler (4) said at Monday’s meeting.

Legislators, who will be examining those questions and more, include:

• Rep. Jacqueline Sly (33) – Chair
• Sen. Larry Tidemann (7) – Vice Chair
• Sen. Jim Bradford (27)
• Sen. Jean Hunhoff (18)
• Sen. Al Novstrup (3)
• Sen. Billie Sutton (21)
• Sen. Bill Van Gerpen (19)
• Sen. Chuck Welke (2)
• Rep. Dan Dryden (34)
• Rep. Mary Duvall (24)
• Rep. Anne Hajek (14)
• Rep. Paula Hawks (9)
• Rep. Kathy Tyler (4)
• Rep. Mike Verchio (30)
• Rep. Dick Werner (22)

“This is a strong and diverse group charged with looking at school funding,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “I look forward to working with them in some aspect during the study.”

Legislators are typically the only people appointed to an interim study committee, but are generally expected to call upon individuals in fields related to the study topic to provide insight and information, said Sen. Corey Brown (23).

Pogany was asked to discuss the topic with the Executive Board at Monday’s meeting, where he thanked the board for selecting topic and suggested revenue sources and funding equity issues be analyzed.

“The scope of the study and the parameters set are broad enough to encompass revenue and equity,” Pogany said following the meeting. “The study has all the makings of a great starting point to improving school funding.”

For updates on the study, check the ASBSD Blog throughout the interim.

Categories:ASBSD, Summer Study, School Funding, State Aid,

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Summer study on school funding
Posted Wednesday, April 24, 2013

The “momentum” behind school funding that ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany had noted during March’s legislative recap webinars took another step in the right direction on Tuesday.

 

Members of the legislature’s Executive Board picked the school funding formula as a topic of study for the interim session. Fifteen legislators will be selected by the Executive Board to study the topic at a later date.

 

“The Executive Board’s decision is another example of the legislature’s commitment to moving forward with the discussion of how to improve school funding, which began during session,” Pogany said.

 

Legislators voted to give a three percent increase to the per-student allocation for the first time in three years during session. At $4,626, the 2013-14 PSA is $179 below its highpoint in 2010-11.

 

A return to the PSA highpoint, which would require a 3.8 percent increase, should be an advocating focus, said Pogany.

 

“School districts are still struggling with funding,” Pogany said. “Getting back to $4,805, while a stretch, is attainable and the study is a good forum to broach that idea.”

 

Pogany expected ASBSD would be involved in some form in the summer study.

 

Updates on the funding study’s findings will be available on the ASBSD Blog.

Categories:ASBSD, School Funding, State Aid, Summer Study,

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2013 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
Posted Friday, March 8, 2013

A summary of the key bills related to K-12 education, which passed through the legislature, is listed below.

 

ASBSD will also host three webinar sessions recapping legislative session on Tuesday, March 19, Wednesday, March 20 and Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. An email with additional information will be sent next week to board presidents of each member school.

 

SB 235 – BUILDING SOUTH DAKOTA FUND

Establishes the Workforce Education fund, which receives thirty percent of the dollars collected for the Building South Dakota fund. The dollars would provide a 25 percent increase in state aid for ESL students, funding for CTE programs and potential dollars for education programs preparing students for the workforce.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.

SB 158 – TREATMENT CENTER FUNDING

Provides state funding for students placed in a treatment center in a district other than their home district. The bill also clarifies the discrepancy that funding for the student in the treatment center is provided by the home district.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.

SB 194 – CAPITAL OUTLAY FUNDS

Extends the sunset date for districts to cover certain expenditures with Capital Outlay dollars until 2018.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.

HB 1137 – ENHANCES EDUCATION

Appropriates $5.8 million, which equals $45 per student, in one-time funding for schools for FY13.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.

SB 15 – SPECIAL EDUCATION

Adjusts the tax levy and revises provisions of state aid for special education. The maximum level for the special education levy was raised to $1.552 per thousand dollars of valuation and a state aid qualifying level of $1.352. The bill sets the local effort to state aid ratio at approximately 61-39.

The extraordinary cost fund is set at $4 million. Allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.

SB 28 – PROPERTY TAX LEVIES

Provides the annual tax levy adjustment for school district’s general fund. The commercial levy was moved to $9.20 per thousand dollars of valuation– an increase of $0.572 from last year. The agricultural levy was set at $2.09 – a decrease of $0.23 from last year. The levy for owner occupied property was changed to $4.296 – an increase of $0.267 from last year.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.

HB 1165 – PROPERTY TAX LEVIES

Establishes a task force to review ag land's contribution to the local effort ratio of property tax levies for schools.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.

SB 96 – JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS

Allows school districts with enrollments under 100 to remain open if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education. Districts could share teachers, courses or curriculums among other services while students remain in their home district.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD supported the bill.

HB 1164 – INNOVATION GRANT

Appropriates $500,000 in one-time funding for an innovation grant program for teachers, school districts or ESAs to utilize technology in creative and innovative ways to enhance learning and achievement of their students.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.

SB 233 – CRITICAL TEACHING NEEDS SCHOLARSHIP

Appropriates $1.5 million dollars for the establishment of the Critical Teaching Needs Scholarship program. The scholarship would subsequently be funded from the critical teaching needs trust fund after the initial appropriation. A variety of criteria would be used to award scholarship dollars to students enrolled in critical need teaching areas to encourage them to stay in South Dakota.

Awaiting Gov. Daugaard’s signature. ASBSD monitored the bill.

HB 1087 – “SENTINEL” PROGRAM

Allows school boards to implement Sentinel program, which arms individuals, other than law enforcement agents, with guns in and on school property. Individuals taking the Sentinel role have to complete 40-hours of firearms training. Approval of a local law enforcement agency before implementation of a program is required. A board’s decision can be referred to a vote by constituents.

Signed by Gov. Daugaard. ASBSD opposed the bill.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, Capital Outlay, School Safety, Taxation, SPED, Small Schools,

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Schools receive three percent increase, one-time dollars in budget
Posted Friday, March 8, 2013

The final days of the 88th legislative session entailed a lot of listening and waiting as members of the House and Senate passed or tabled a variety of bills, but the end result proved worth it.

School districts will receive a three percent increase – the first full increase in four years – raising the per-student allocation to $4,626 for the 2013-14 school year.

In addition, the legislature approved $5.8 million in one-time funds be appropriated to schools for FY13. The one-time appropriation equates to $45 per student.

“We have to walk away from legislative session very pleased with the work of our legislators,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “K-12 schools are going to get three percent, one-time money on top of that and the conversation to improve the ongoing funding source for schools was very positive.”

PER-STUDENT FUNDING – CURRENT VS. 2013 SESSION (APPROXIMATE)
	CURRENT	2013 SESSION	CHANGE: FY13+FY14
PSA	$4,491	$4,626	$135	+3%

INCLUDING ONE-TIME FUNDING (APPROXIMATE)
YEAR	BASE PSA	CHANGE	ONE-TIME
2009-10	$4,805	$163 (3.5%)
2010-11	$4,805	$0 (0%)
2011-12	$4,390	-$415 (-8.6%)	$166
2012-13	$4,491	+$101 (+2.3%)	$30.73
2013-14	$4,626	+$135 (+3%)	$45

K-12 APPROPRIATIONS - 2013 LEGISLTIAVE SESSION
DESCRIPTION	COST
One percent, one-time funding	$5.8 million ($45/student)
ESL state aid increase (Increase = 25% of state aid)	$1.9 million
State SPED contribution	$7.4 million
Innovative grants for teacher, school districts and ESAs	$500,000
Technology upgrade grant program	$500,000

 

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding,

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Critical Needs scholarship approved
Posted Thursday, March 7, 2013

Senators gave the final push to Senate Bill 233, which establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area.

On a 35-0 vote, the Senate passed an amended version of SB 233 with $1.5 million attached. The bill now heads to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for signature.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School funding,

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On the fly
Posted Thursday, March 7, 2013

That three word title fits the final two days of legislative action as bills will be passed or killed and the final budget figures will be put together.

State aid  

The current budget proposal includes a three percent increase for school districts. A three percent increase would set the per-student allocation for the 2013-14 school year at approximately $4,626.

Two levy bills – Senate Bills 15 and 28 – could have an effect on the proposed increase, however. Representatives of Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s administration have stated in committee hearings each bill must pass with the levies proposed or the state would have to pick up the shortfall, which could jeopardize the three percent increase for school districts.

Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district with the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.

Senate Bill 15 calls for an increase of $.05 for the SPED levy. In the current version, levies would be set at $1.25 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for the qualifying level and $1.45 for the maximum level.

Members of the House of Representatives passed amended versions of both SB 15 and 28 on Tuesday with inflated land valuation figures, but did not change levy rates.

The Senate did not concur with the amendments and a conference committee made up of Senators Larry Rhoden (29), Deb Soholt (14) and Tom Jones (17) and Representatives Dean Wink (29), Dan Dryden (34) and Spencer Hawley (7) will meet today to discuss both bills.

ASBSD is monitoring the bills.

One-time dollars

Both houses agreed on House Bill 1137, which will appropriate one-time money to K-12 school districts.

HB 1137 appropriates $5.8 million, which equals $45 per student, for schools, $200,000 to the state’s technical institutes and $250,000 to the Teach for America program. A similar bill, Senate Bill 138, was tabled by the House on Tuesday.

Another bill calling for the allocation of one-time dollars is scheduled for a conference committee today. Senators Deb Peters (9), Larry Tidemann (7) and Billie Sutton (21) will confer with Representatives Dean Wink (29), Mark Mickelson (13) and Scott Parsley (8) to discuss Senate Bill 90.

SB 90 would appropriate one-time dollars similar to HB 1137 with $500,000 provided for innovation grants as well.

SB 90 is unlikely to remain as is, because HB 1137 and HB 1164, which appropriates $500,000 in one-time innovation grants to teachers, school districts and ESAs, has passed both legislative bodies.

For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker throughout the day.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, Taxation, School Funding,

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News and Notes from Tuesday night
Posted Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Levy bill hoghoused

Senators hoghoused House Bill 1239 on a 28-5 vote on Tuesday.

The original version of HB 1239 would have authorized school districts to set a tax levy at 30 cents per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for pension and health insurance funding purposes. ASBSD supported the bill.

The hoghoused version of the bill would appropriate funds to the Board of Regents to cover the increase to employee health insurance costs.

Dollar amount attached to innovation grant

House Bill 1164 was amended and passed by Senators on a 34-0 vote.

The amended version attached $500,000 in one-time money to HB 1164 for innovation grants to utilize technology in creative and innovative ways to enhance learning and achievement of their students. The amendment also opened the grant funds to Education Service Agencies along with teachers and school districts.

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

ELL funding bill passed by Reps.

Senate Bill 159 was approved by the House of Representatives on a 60-9 vote.

SB 159 provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student scoring below a level four on the state-administered language proficiency assessment. The increase is currently set at ½ percent, but is expected to change as the budget process proceeds.

“We need to ensure that our newest citizens are being taught the English language,” Rep. Peggy Gibson (22) said.

SB 159 coincides with a provision in Senate Bill 235, which provides a 25% funding increase for ELL students under the same conditions. SB 235 is an omnibus economic development bill that would provide funding for certain education programs.

ASBSD supports both bills.

$1.5 million devoted to scholarship

Representatives amended Senate Bill 233 to include $1.5 million on a 51-18 vote.

SB 233 establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area. Sen. Tim Rave (25) has requested $5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund.

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

For updates on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, Taxation, School Funding, State Aid,

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One-time funding bills come and go
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Senate sends on one-time funding

Senators passed a bill that appropriates one-time dollars for education on a 33-0 vote.

House Bill 1137 would appropriate $5.8 million to K-12 education, which would equal approximately $45 per student, $200,000 to CTE programs and $250,000 for the Teach for America program.

House Appropriations committee members passed similar bills – Senate Bills 90 and 138 – on Monday, without the TFA appropriation, however. The TFA appropriation was introduced with $100,000 attached, but an amendment was presented and passed for $250,000.

The one-time appropriation for TFA garnered the most discussion from Senators debating the need to provide funding after the Senate Appropriations committee tabled a bill that would have appropriated funds for TFA earlier in session. ASBSD opposed the bill.

“We have already debated the merits of (TFA),” Sen. Billie Sutton (21) said. “It failed (in committee) with a dollar in it.”

HB 1137 now moves back to the House for vote and may be appointed to a conference committee.

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

House passes and tables one-time funding bills

Representatives passed an amended version of Senate Bill 90 to include $500,000 in one-time funding for classroom innovation grants to go along with the $5.8 million for K-12 education and $200,000 to CTE programs. The bill passed on a 65-4 vote.

“It’s our way of sending one-time money over for education,” Rep. Justin Cronin (23) said.

In addition, Senate Bill 138, which was introduced on the floor with similar funding provisions, was tabled on a 67-2 vote. Both SB 90 and 138 passed House Appropriations on Monday.

SB 90 heads across the hall for a vote by Senators and may be sent to conference committee between Representatives and Senators. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

For updates on the bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Funding,

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Debate doesn’t stop econ development bill
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A lengthy debate on the House floor didn’t halt the progress of an omnibus economic development bill, which would provide funding for certain K-12 education programs.

Representatives passed Senate Bill 235, which would create the Building South Dakota fund, on a 56-13 vote. The bill received the 2/3 support it required.

Thirty percent of the dollars collected – from fund projects tax revenue and from unclaimed property revenue from banks – for the Building South Dakota fund would be appropriated to the Workforce Education fund to provide a 25 percent increase in state aid for ESL students, funding for CTE programs and potential dollars for education programs preparing students for the workforce.

“(Economic development) should start with education,” Rep. Bernie Hunhoff (18) said. “The biggest share of the Building South Dakota fund will go to K-12 education.”

Rep. Stace Nelson (19) called the bill a “hodge podge” because of its wide range of funding areas, which he argued was against the state’s constitutional provisions to address just one area. Rep. Nelson presented an amendment to remove many sections of the bill because they could act as separate legislation, but it was defeated on a voice vote.

Rep. David Lust (34) said the bill is for the betterment of South Dakota and its voters.

“(Voters) send us here to do things that are best for South Dakota,” Rep. Lust said. “That’s really what Senate Bill 235 does.”

ASBSD supports the bill. For updates on the bill, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Funding, Economic Impact,

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Economic development bill’s effect on education
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The bipartisan bill aimed at enhancing economic development in South Dakota had its first hearing on Monday in front of the House State Affairs committee.

Senate Bill 235 would create the Building South Dakota fund, which would in turn establish the Workforce Education fund.

Thirty percent of the dollars in the Building S.D. fund would be appropriated to the Workforce Education fund to provide a 25 percent increase in state aid for ESL students, funding for CTE programs and potential dollars for education programs preparing students for the workforce.

“It’s time for K-12 education to be involved in the economic development conversation,” Executive Director Wade Pogany testified. Pogany added that the education community hasn’t been as involved in economic development as it should have been and noted “a solid K-12 education” solidifies the concept.

Sen. Corey Brown (23), a sponsor and developer of the bill, said SB 235 “creates a framework for economic development” in South Dakota and added “education is tied to economic development.”

An amendment is likely to be introduced for the education portion of the bill, said Sen. Brown. The amendment could put a sunset date on the ESL funding provision to transfer from the Workforce Education fund to the state’s general fund, but a timeline was not specified.

Sen. Brown noted the bill would provide “repetitive one-time dollars” for school districts, which he said would serve an ongoing purpose.

“There really is no shortage of needs or areas our K-12 schools could spend dollars in,” Sen. Brown said.

Committee members voted 12-0 to pass the bill on to the House. SB 235 will be debated on the House floor this afternoon.

For updates on the bill, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, Economic Impact, School Funding,

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Funding front and center in final week
Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The final week of legislative session got underway on Monday without a major decision made.

Last week, State Economist Jim Terwilliger and LRC Chief Fiscal Analyst Fred Schoenfeld presented appropriators with an updated picture of state revenue and a decision was expected on which set of projections to adopt. Appropriators, however, postponed the decision until today.

Monday wasn’t without progress though, as House Appropriations committee members passed or deferred a variety of K-12 related funding bills.

One-time funding for K-12 introduced

House Appropriators took the first step in providing one-time dollars for school districts with amendments to two bills – Senate Bills 90 and 138.

Appropriators attached amendments to each bill for $5.8 million in one-time funds for K-12 schools and $200,000 for CTE programs. The one-time funding for K-12 education would result in $45 per student.

SB 90 would revise the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2013 and SB 138, which was previously a vehicle bill, calls for an appropriation to enhance education by revising the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2013.

SPED levy amended

Committee members voted to amend the property tax levies for the special education fund set in Senate Bill 15.

Levies were initially proposed to be raised by $0.15, but appropriators changed the increased amount to $.05. In the current version, levies would be set at $1.25 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for the qualifying level and $1.45 for the maximum level.

Rep. Dean Wink (29) said the amendment is “just to keep (the bill) in play.”

S.D. Chief Financial Officer Jason Dilges said if SB 15 did not pass the state would have to pick up the dollars lost or the proposed increase for the per-student allocation would be decreased.

Levy bill advanced

The vehicle bill for schools to receive the proposed three percent increase was passed on by appropriators.

Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district with the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.

“(SB 28) is needed to provide the three percent increase,”Terwilliger testified.

ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

For updates on funding legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School funding, SPED, Taxation,

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ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, March 1, 2013

Week eight marked the penultimate week of the 88^th legislative session and, like the second to last episode of a season in a TV series, it set up plenty of intriguing plots with guns in schools, funding and new developments left to be decided by legislators.

Senators send Sentinel bill back to House

Senators passed an amended version of House Bill 1087, which would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds, on a 21-14 vote on Wednesday.

HB 1087 heads to the House floor for approval of the amended version or Representatives can choose to create a conference committee to further discuss the amendments with Senators.

If the amended version is passed by Representatives, the bill would head to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for signature or veto. If signed into law, voters could refer the bill for a vote in November.

• Appointment of the state’s Standards and Training Commission to oversee firearms training required for non-law enforcement agents filling the sentinel role.
• Provides a waiver of liability to the state’s Attorney General Office and local law enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over a school district where a sentinel program is established.
• Allows voters in the district to refer a school board’s decision on implementing, or not implementing, a sentinel program to a vote.

ASBSD is opposed to the bill.

Busy week for K-12 funding bills

This week the House Appropriations committee held hearings on three bills related to three different areas of K-12 education, but deferred action until next week.

Senate Bill 28 adjusts property tax levies for the general fund of a school district and is the main vehicle for providing school districts with the proposed three percent increase to state aid. The bill would even out the state-to-local effort for funding education.

SB 28 sets the commercial levy at $9.163, up $0.535, decreases the agricultural levy by $0.24, to $2.082, and increases the owner-occupied levy by $0.25, up to $4.279.

Senate Bill 76 appropriates funding for Education Service Agencies. ESAs would have to apply to the Department of Education to receive the funds.

Senate Bill 229 would appropriate funds for CTE programs. The bill currently has a $1 dollar attached to it, but bill sponsor Sen. Billie Sutton (21), would like to see $1.5 million provided for the programs. Funding from the bill would not be ongoing. House Appropriators deferred a similar bill to the 41^st legislative day a week ago.

Appropriators will hear three more funding related bills on Monday that were deferred to them by the House Education committee.

Senate Bill 15 raises the property tax levies for the special education fund of a school district by $0.15, with the maximum level set at $1.552 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation and the state aid qualifying level at $1.352. A state-to-local effort ratio would be set at approximately 39-61 percent.

SB 15 also allows school districts to use up to 15 percent of their special education fund dollars to identify K-12 students who need additional academic and behavioral interventions and caps the Extraordinary Cost Fund at $5.5 million.

Senate Bill 159 provides school districts with increased state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student.

SB 159 would provide a 1 percent increase, which is considered temporary until funds available are determined. The bill was introduced with a 25 percent increase, which would provide approximately $1,100 per ESL student.

Senate Bill 233 establishes a critical needs teaching scholarship and creates a trust fund program for student’s working towards a teaching degree in a critical needs curriculum area. Sen. Tim Rave (25) has requested $5 million in one-time dollars from the general fund to start the scholarship’s trust fund, which he said would supply 11-15 scholarships each year.

Revenue forecast presented

State Economist Jim Terwilliger and LRC Chief Fiscal Analyst Fred Schoenfeld presented appropriators with an updated picture of state revenue.

The projections are close those provided in December during Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s State of the State address. Appropriators will decide which numbers to adopt on Monday.

Revenue projections are not expected to affect the proposed three percent increase to state aid and ASBSD is cautiously optimistic one-time dollars will be provided.

Proposed hoghouse bill has ed. funding implications

A bipartisan group of legislators rolled out an economic development plan dubbed the Building South Dakota fund, which will be introduced as Senate Bill 235.

The plan includes the creation of the Workforce Education fund under the umbrella of the Building South Dakota fund.

Thirty percent of the dollars in the Building South Dakota fund would be appropriated to the Workforce Education fund for support of ESL students, CTE equipment and services, technology upgrades and other expenses preparing students for the workforce.

SB 235 is scheduled for a hearing in House State Affairs.

For updates on all of the legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, School Safety,

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ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, February 22, 2013

Guns in Schools bill headed to Senate

A bill that would allow school employees and volunteers to carry guns in and on school grounds was passed by the Senate State Affairs committee today on a 5-4 vote.

House Bill 1087 would allow school boards to establish a sentinel program pending the approval of a local law enforcement agency. Non-law enforcement agents filling the sentinel role would be required to complete 40-hours of firearms training.

ASBSD opposes the bill based on the association’s Standing Position on Safe and Secure Schools opposes “weapons” on school grounds. Sen. Scott Craig (33) said he received an email claiming that communication among board members discussing ASBSD’s position on the bill showed they supported HB 1087 “10-to-1.” ASBSD did not receive emails supporting the bill at the same proportion.  

Committee members passed an amendment that removed a provision that required school boards to discuss and approve the program in executive session.

An amendment that did not gather enough committee support called for the formation of a task force to study a comprehensive plan for school safety. ASBSD supported the amendment.

“Don’t out school boards deserve to see more than one option?” Executive Director Wade Pogany asked committee members. “All I ask is that you would consider another option.”

Sen. Mark Johnston (12) supported the amendment, saying that HB 1087 “jumps to the automatic conclusion that arming is the answer.”

The bill now heads to the Senate floor, which is the final step before it reaches the Governor. For updates on it, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Sunset extension one step closer

Members of the House Education committee voted 12-3 to pass Senate Bill 194, which extends the provision allowing school districts to use capital outlay funds for certain insurance, energy, utilities and motor fuel costs to 2018. ASBSD supports the bill.

“A lot of schools are having to do this,” Pogany testified. “We ask you continue the flexibility for schools in this financial time that we have.”

The provision, which was introduced in 2009, was set to expire in 2014. Each year since the capital outlay flexibility had been in place the total dollar amount has increased. In fiscal year 2009 school districts flexed a little more than $1 million with steady increases in FY 2010 and 2011 and topping out at over $15 million in FY 2012.

The bill now moves to the House floor. For updates on how it fairs, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

“Quotes” of Note

“We’re being really irresponsible here just in our failure to fund schools adequately.” Rep. Ray Ring (17) said during a House Education committee hearing SB 194.

 “We don’t know what that tax impact would be, but we know it would be significant,” Department of Revenue representative Mike Houdyshell said about the proposed addition of a leased property tax levy.

“(Schools are) still about the safest place our children can be.” Sen. Craig Tieszen (34) said during the Senate State Affairs hearing on HB 1087.

“Schools are addressing security the best that they can.” Sen. Larry Lucas (26) said during the Senate State Affairs hearing on HB 1087.

“We need to come together and get some long-term fixes for our schools.” Rep. Scott Ecklund (25) said during a House Education committee hearing SB 194.

Past  Week’s Posts

Crossover Day comes and bills go - House

Crossover Day comes and bills go - Senate

State aid adjustment bills tabled

Leased Property levy looms in House

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Safety, Capital Outlay, State Aid, School Funding, Taxation,

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Crossover Day comes and bills go - House
Posted Thursday, February 21, 2013

Members of the House and Senate discussed, debated and acted on a number of bills well into the evening hours on Wednesday, which marked Crossover Day. All bills still in their original house had to be passed or tabled by the end of the day.

A long list of legislation related to K-12 education littered the docket in both houses. Here’s a rundown of those bills from the House:

House Bill 1204: Requires Board of Education to seek legislative approval before implementing any additional Common Core Standards. The bill would not affect the math and reading standards, set for implementation in 2014, but would require any further standards be approved by the legislature.

“This bill in particular will strip away the authority of the State Board of Education,” Bill sponsor Rep. Jim Bolin (16) said. Bolin added the legislature should “reserve the power” to approve future standards.

Rep. Anne Hajek (14) expressed concern that the bill takes away the power of the State Board of Education to hold public hearings and gives power to the legislature “to make all the decisions.”

HB 1204 passed on a 36-32 vote. ASBSD is opposed to the bill.

House Bill 1143: Creates a property tax levy for leased residential property for the school district general fund and sets the levy at $8.62. Leased residential property is defined as any single-family unit or structure consisting of two or more family units that is leased or rented.

The economic impact of establishing the leased residential property levy is unknown at this time.

HB 1143 passed on a 55-13 vote. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

House Bill 1137: Impacts education in South Dakota. HB 1137 acts a vehicle bill if additional funding would be available for school districts near the end of session, said Sen. Justin Cronin (23).

“Maybe we can get some one-time monies out there (for education),” Cronin, the bill’s sponsor, said.

HB 1137 passed on a 61-8 vote. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

House Bill 1165: Revises certain property tax levies for the general fund of school districts. The bill sets the non-ag levy at $8.62 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation, the agriculture levy at $2.32 and the owner-occupied levy at $4.02.

The bill would only drop the tenth of cents from the levies.

HB 1165 passed on a 67-2 vote. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, Common Core, Taxation, School Funding,

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ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, February 15, 2013

This week provided two lengthy days of school funding talk in the Senate Appropriations committee meetings.

At the center of the discussion were proposed adjustments to the state aid funding formula, which Executive Director Wade Pogany summed up as three different solutions to one problem.

“We have a crisis in education,” Pogany testified in Senate Appropriations. “We need help.”

The crisis of course being the massive 8.6 percent funding cut to the per-student allocation for the 2011-12 school year that came a year after the PSA dollar amount was frozen. All told, schools were left in a $52 million hole and even after a 2.3 percent increase to the PSA this year, the PSA remains over $300 behind the level it was in 2009.

“All we’re asking, as school board members, is a solid conversation about where funding could go,” Pogany told committee members. “That’s all we’re asking.”

Three bills may have kick started the conversation Pogany was referring to.

Senate Bill 191: Provides the proposed three percent increase to state aid. The bill would increase the per-student allocation to approximately $4,626 for the 2013-14 school year.

“Any amount we put back into the formula will work us closer back to (pre-cut) point,” Sen. Larry Rhoden (29), the bill’s sponsor, said.

In addition, SB 191 would shift the current state-to-local effort ratio from 53.7 percent to 56.4 percent to relieve property tax payers.

“As we increase funding now, I think we should work towards restoring the former percentage of the burden the state paid,” Rhoden said.

Senate Bill 193: Changes the language of the state aid increase from "less" to "more" as it relates to schools receiving an annual percentage increase or the change in CPI-W. The bill does not set a cap on the percentage increase for state aid.

“Try something bold and dynamic and invest in our future generation,” Sen. Mark Kirkeby (35), the bill’s sponsor, urged committee members.

Kirkeby noted the bill would provide districts with the assurance that a three percent increase was going to come and would allow school boards to “sit down and plan, prepare and balance (their) budget for adequate funding.”

Senate Bill 196: Modifies the state aid increase to general and special education by adjusting increase to be based on the projected state general fund increase or CPI-W change, whichever is greater. The increase would be capped at six percent.

“There’s nothing guaranteed in state aid formula,” Sen. Larry Lucas (26), the bill’s sponsor, said. “(SB 196) takes the philosophy that in bad and good years in South Dakota, schools would share in those.”

Lucas noted that in addition to the stable funding the bill could provide for schools it could also be used to help narrow the gap in teacher salaries, which South Dakota currently ranks last in the nation in.

The administration opposed each bill; citing reasons that included, the state would be forced to fund anything over a three percent increase, enrollment growth increasing the state’s share, schools fared better in terms of funding percentage cut than other state agencies, having to make cuts to other programs and a lack of funding to support changes to the formula.

“There’s no money to cover it in the budget,” State Economist Jim Terwilliger said. Terwilliger noted Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s proposed budget for the 2014 fiscal year had a $1 million structural surplus and any ongoing increase would create a structural deficit in the budget.

Pogany said school boards are in limbo when it comes to planning for the future because the future of funding is unknown, which leaves their message for legislators unchanged.

“They (school boards) have tried to put in their savings account as much as they can just for the future,” Pogany said. “They’re trying to plan for the future and be as stable as they can. They don’t know from year-to-year where it’s (funding) going to go.”

“Quotes” of Note

“The bill offers school districts that may need it, some relief on certain expenditures. Right now, with funding where it is for schools any flexibility helps.” – Executive Director Wade Pogany said about Senate Bill 194.

“We see capital outlay flexibility as really the only realistic option to maintain even basic education services.” Milbank Superintendent Tim Graf said in support of SB 194.

“The intent of this is to give local school boards maximum flexibility.” – Sen. Mark Johnston (12) said of Senate Bill 96.

“This matter’s been studied and studied and studied and we’re going to sit here in 30 minutes and decide.” – Rep. Timothy Johns (31) said about Common Core Standards.

“We very seldom play by our own rules. Right now, it’s (funding) beyond a crapshoot.” – Sen. Mark Kirkeby said during his testimony on SB 193.

Past Week Posts

“Under 100” option through House

News and notes from Wednesday

Tax Credit Tabled

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, Capital Outlay, Common Core, School Funding, Small Schools, Taxation,

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Hearings held for three funding bills
Posted Monday, February 4, 2013

A bill to change the state aid funding formula and two special project funding bills had hearings this morning as the fifth week of legislative session began.

House Bill 1202 was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day on an 8-4 vote by House State Affairs committee members. The bill called for the change of the index factor increase for education funding from three percent to four percent.

“It’s unfortunate a bill that would have benefitted K-12 education failed to gain support,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “However, there are other bills that would be just as valuable and the discussion that’s taking place on getting school districts back to stable funding levels is encouraging.”

House Education committee members voted to defer House Bill 1166, which would have rewarded school districts based on the percentage of graduates not taking remediation courses upon entering higher education, to the 41^st Legislative Day.

Rep. Ray Ring (17) contended the bill’s reliance on “test and test results” was not the best way to reward districts for student achievement.

The bill would have used up to $1 million from the general fund for the rewards and called for the funds to be divided by the district among its teachers. The reward would have provided one-time dollars only.

A bill calling for one-time dollars be provided in the form of classroom innovation grants was unanimously passed by the committee. House Bill 1164 would supply grant funding to school districts for “them to utilize technology in creative and innovative ways to enhance learning and achievement of their students.”

Rep. David Lust (34), the bill’s lead sponsor, testified the funds would be supplied by surplus dollars and it is “not an ongoing appropriation.” There is no dollar amount appropriated for the program at this time.

ASBSD has not taken a position on the bill, but favors dollars be given to districts to use at their discretion.

“These special project bills are great ideas, but each school district across the state has different needs and we’d like to see any available dollars be used by districts to meet their needs,” Pogany said.

ASBSD will continue to monitor the bill’s progress, as it now advances to the House floor for debate. For updates, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding,

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ASBSD Weekly Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, February 1, 2013

The fourth week of legislative session proved busy for legislation related to K-12 education.

House Bill 1087, which would allow school boards to “create, establish and supervise” a “sentinel” program that would arm staff, security or volunteers on school grounds, passed the House of Representatives on a 42-27 vote. The bill now heads to the Senate State Affairs committee.

The conversation on school funding got started with hearings on House Bills 1201 and 1202 held by the House State Affairs committee.

HB 1201, which called for an increase to the per-student allocation dollar amount for the next three years, was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day and action on HB 1202, which would change the index factor increase for education funding from three percent to four percent, was deferred to Monday.

Good news came in terms of funding with the Senate Education committees passage of Senate Bill 159, which provides school districts with a 25 percent bump in state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student.

K-12 got another boost when the Senate passed SB 96. The bill would allow school districts with an enrollment under 100 to remain open, if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education. Districts could share teachers, courses or curriculums among other services while students remain in their home district.

Discussion on open meeting laws continued in the form of Senate Bill 167. Senate Local Government committee members deferred the bill, which would have required executive and closed sessions of government bodies be recorded and records maintained for one year, to the 41^st day.

Another busy week is expected starting Monday as more K-12 education bills are heard by committees. For updates, bookmark ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

“Quotes” of note

“I think this is an abysmal situation we’ve created for our students and teachers.” Rep. Peggy Gibson (22) said during the House State Affairs committee hearing on HB 1201.

“More guns are not the answer when there are so many other non-risky methods.” – Rep. Ray Ring (17) said during the Senate’s discussion on HB 1087.

“A gun-free zone did not make Sandy Hook gun free.” – Rep. Scott Craig (33) said during the Senate’s discussion on HB 1087.

“It throws a wet blanket on those sort of necessary things that happen in executive session.” – Sen. Craig Tieszen (34) said during the Senate Local Government committee hearing on Senate Bill 167.

“There is no problem. School boards follow the (executive session) rules.” Executive Director Wade Pogany said during testimony on SB 167.

Previous posts from the week

Week ends on high note for K-12

No changes to executive session

“Sentinel” bill passed, Open Meetings bill impeded by House

Grant bills deferred in vote

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Safety, School Funding, State Aid, Open Government, Enrollment,

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Week ends on high note for K-12
Posted Friday, February 1, 2013

Four bills with ties to K-12 education received passing votes on Thursday.

Senate Bill 96 passed on 25-9 vote through the Senate. The bill would allow school districts with an enrollment under 100 to remain open, if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education.

“The bill presents a really positive option for K-12 education,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “It allows smaller school districts to keep their doors open and all districts the chance to collaborate with each other and offer students options they may not have had before.”

Joint powers agreements allow any number of school districts in the agreement to share services and costs. Districts could share teachers, courses or curriculums among other services while students remain in their home district.

Senate Education committee members advanced two positive bills. Senate Bill 159, which provides school districts with a 25 percent bump in state aid for each Limited English Proficiency student, passed on a 7-0 vote.

“This bill is essential to our school districts with Limited English Proficiency students,” Pogany said. “This is a growing group in South Dakota schools and there's a necessary extra effort to get them up to speed and keep them on track with their fellow students.”

Along with SB 159, committee members unanimously passed House Bill 1064. The bill allows school districts to implement flexible spending accounts as part of health insurance plans. It now makes its way to the Senate floor and, if passed, on to the governor.

House Bill 1239, which authorizes school districts, if they so choose, to increase certain tax levies for pension and health insurance purposes, passed House Taxation in an 8-5 vote.

The bill allows districts to levy a tax of 40 cents per thousand dollars of taxable valuation. Funds collected from the levy can only be used for pension and health insurance purposes.

“Average healthcare premiums are going up for school districts and this gives districts the flexibility to help offset those costs if needed,” Pogany said.

ASBSD supports each bill. Continue to monitor the progress of these bills by checking the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Funding, LEP, Taxation,

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Three bills deferred to 41st
Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Increased funding bill blocked

House Bill 1201, which called for an increase to the per-student allocation dollar amount for the next three years, was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day on 9-4 by the House State Affairs committee.

“The bill was in for a battle,” Pogany said. “Although it’s disappointing it was defeated, the committee acknowledged something needs to be done and the conversation to develop a stable, ongoing funding source for schools is far from over.”

The committee deferred action on another funding bill that would change the index factor increase for education funding from three percent to four percent. House Bill 1202’s hearing continues Monday.

Levy name change deferred

Senate Bill 99, which proposed changing the term "opt out" to "instructional support levy," was deferred to the 41^st Legislative Day by the Senate Taxation committee on 4-3 vote. Pogany testified the bill was for the betterment of education because it explained the tax increases true purpose.

House Ed. moves hearing

The hearing for House Bill 1166, which would reward school districts based on the number of past year graduates not taking remediation courses in post-secondary schools, was deferred by the House Education committee. ASBSD opposes the bill because it removes dollars needed by school districts from the general fund.

Instead the committee held a hearing for House Bill 1176. The bill defines truancy as any child absent from school for more than three days without a valid excuse. The committee deferred the bill to the 41^st Legislative Day on a 12-2 vote.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Funding, State Aid, Taxation, Student Achievement,

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Two positive bills for K-12 pass committee
Posted Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Senate Education committee members passed two bills supported by ASBSD on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 96 passed on a 6-0 vote with no opponent testimony. The bill would permit school districts with an enrollment under 100 to avoid consolidation if they are exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education.

Joint powers agreements allow any number of school districts in the agreement to share services and costs. Districts could share teachers, courses or curriculums among other services while students remain in their home district.

“It’s a win-win for school districts,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “It promotes collaboration among districts and allows them to maintain their autonomy.”

An amendment to the bill would require the joint powers agreement be approved by the Secretary of Education.

Committee members also unanimously passed Senate Bill 158, which would provide state funding for educational programs for children in treatment centers to the student’s home district and the district the treatment center is located in.

In addition, the bill clarifies the discrepancy that funding for the student in the treatment center is provided by the home district.

For updates on the progression of these bills, as well as other legislation, check ASBSD’s blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, ,

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K-12 gets committee focus tomorrow
Posted Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Wednesday’s committee schedule marks a big day for legislation related to K-12 education.

House State Affairs committee members will hear two bills that would improve upon the current K-12 education funding situation.

House Bill 1201 calls for an increase to the per-student allocation dollar amount for the next three years to balance the “funding shortfalls” school districts suffered starting in 2011.

For the 2013-14 school year, the PSA would be raised by nearly seven percent to $4,802 and to $4,978 and at $5,154 (increases of 3.5 percent) in subsequent years. The PSA would return to the current funding formula level, with districts receiving a three percent increase or the change in the CPI-W, whichever is less following the 2015-16 school year.

House Bill 1202 would change the index factor increase for education funding from three percent to four percent. Gov. Dennis Daugaard proposed a three percent increase for school districts in his budget, which set the PSA at $4,625. A four percent increase would move the projected PSA to $4,670.

ASBSD supports both bills.

In addition to supporting the funding bills, ASBSD will stand behind Senate Bill 99, which changes the term "opt out" to "instructional support levy." A hearing for SB 99 is scheduled in Senate Taxation tomorrow.

ASBSD will take opposition against Senate Bill 167. The bill would require executive or closed sessions be recorded and maintained for one year. The bill has the potential to undermine confidentiality and stymie dialogue among board members on key closed session topics.

SB 167 appears before the Senate Local Government committee tomorrow.

The House Education committee will hold a hearing for House Bill 1166 tomorrow, as well. The bill would reward school districts based on the number of past year graduates not taking remediation courses upon entering higher education with dollars form the general fund.  ASBSD opposes the bill because it removes dollars from the general fund school districts are in need of.

For updates following the committee meetings tomorrow on these bills, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, CPI-W, Taxation, Open Government, Education Funding,

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Important bills face committee hearings
Posted Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Over the next two days, five legislative committees are expected to take up some key bills and issues.

This morning Senate Education will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 76, which would reinstate $500,000 in state funding for Educational Service Agencies. Executive Director Wade Pogany is expected to testify at the hearing in favor of the funding return based on ASBSD’s resolution C3, which calls for support of a “full funding” return to ESAs.

Also today, the Department of Education is scheduled to have its budget hearing with the Joint Appropriations committee. ASBSD will monitor the hearing closely.

Tomorrow’s committee schedule is highlighted by House Bill 1087’s – the bill proposing armed guards be allowed in schools beyond just law enforcement agents  - hearing in the House Education committee. ASBSD’s is opposed to the bill based on the association’s Standing Position on Safe and Secure Schools supports keeping “weapons” away from school grounds. Pogany is expected to testify.

The House State Affairs committee will hold a hearing on House Bill 1108, which subjects committees and advisory committees appointed by a school board to open meetings laws. ASBSD opposes this bill and is expected to testify at the hearing.

Rounding out the committee schedule is Senate Transportation’s hearing on Senate Bill 41. The bill would allow a school district to use an approved inspector to inspect their buses in place of the state highway patrol. ASBSD will be monitoring this bill.

For updates on these bills and committee hearings, as well as other legislation, check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker often.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, School Funding, School Safety, ASBSD,

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A bill summary from the past week
Posted Monday, January 21, 2013

The spotlight was placed firmly on House Bill 1087, which would allow school boards to arm school employees, when it was introduced last week during legislative session.

HB 1087, which ASBSD opposes, will no doubt garner much of the attention this week, but in addition to it there were 11 more bills were introduced last week that ASBSD will be tracking. Here’s a recap of those bills:

Senate Bill 78: Revises provisions of medical requirements for bus drivers transporting passengers exempting them from the physical requirements unless required by their district. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

Senate Bill 79: Transfers funds from the Game, Fish and Parks fund to the permanent school fund for each acre of school land shown as public hunting land in a GFP published hunting atlas, map or other publication. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

Senate Bill 80: Repeals legislation requiring impact aid be accounted in the school's general fund and allows the impact aid be accounted for in a separate fund. ASBSD is monitoring the bill.

Senate Bill 91: Reduces contractor's excise tax over a three year period before its full repeal in2016. ASBSD is monitoring the bill and the affect it could have on funding for K-12 education.

Senate Bill 96: Allows school districts with fewer than 100 K-12 students to remain open and autonomous, if it is exercising joint powers or intergovernmental cooperation in education with another school district.  ASBSD is in support of the bill.

Senate Bill 98: Revises immunization exemption requirements to encompass a student that has a “personal religious commitment” opposed to the immunization and planning to enter school or an early childhood education program. ASBSD will monitor the bill.

Senate Bill 99: Changes the term "opt out" to "instructional support levy” when school districts publish announcement of reference the additional property tax levy. ASBSD is in support of the bill.

House Bill 1064: Allows school districts to implement flexible spending accounts as part of health insurance plans, which includes the use of debit cards or direct deposits among other methods. Executive Director Wade Pogany testified in support of the bill, which passed through the House Education committee. ASBSD is in support of the bill.

House Bill 1108: Subjects committees appointed by a school board to open meetings laws. ASBSD opposes this bill.

House Bill 1113: Requires any digital communication (email, text message, etc.) involving a quorum of board members be subject to open meetings laws. ASBSD is monitoring this bill.

House Bill 1114: Requires any defamatory information about an individual, who is employed, seeking employment, etc., with a public body be confirmed before it can be publicized. ASBSD is monitoring this bill.

For updates on these bills and other legislation check the ASBSD blog and bill tracker often.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, ASBSD, School Safety, School Funding, Open Government, Taxation, Education Funding,

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ASBSD Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, January 18, 2013

“Sentinel” program bill focus of week

The second week of legislative session started out slow, but finished in a flurry punctuated by the introduction of House Bill 1087, which would giveschool boards "sole discretion" to create a “sentinel” program arming school officials in an attempt to increase school safety.

ASBSD opposes the bill. The association’s Standing Position on Safe and Secure Schools supports keeping “weapons” away from school grounds. In addition, we believe more firearms carried on school premises pose an increased risk to student safety.

“The proliferation of firearms in schools will cause a greater risk of safety to children than the threat it is intended to deter,” Executive Director Wade Pogany said. “Schools have safety and emergency policies in place that are effective in creating a safe environment.”

HB 1087 was assigned to the House Education Committee and is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, January 23 at 7:45 a.m. Pogany will testify against the bill at the meeting.

Bookmark the ASBSD blog for updates on HB 1087 and other legislation and check bill tracker for ASBSD’s position on a bill.

(This week’s edition comes from a previous post from the Senate Education committee)

Senator Deb Soholt (14) said the current funding formula feels “like it’s in its own universe in relationship to where we really need to go with accountability.”

“Away from funding, how can we help districts meet the challenges for the mass customized learning approach we’re taking today,” Senator, and Committee Chair, J. Mark Johnston (12) said.

“I’m coming around to the issue of funding,” Senator Bruce Rampelberg (30) said. “When you start to pare off of who gets what, it sure seems to me that we really need to, as a state… increase the funding level that we have available to do these (DOE education outcomes) many things that you (Secretary Melody Schoop) are identifying.”

Are guns the answer to protect schools?

Bill calls for ESA funding return

LAN's role in lobbying

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, ASBSD, School Safety, State Aid, School Funding, ESA, LAN,

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"Quotes" of Note from Senate Ed.
Posted Thursday, January 17, 2013

It’s been limited to this point, but at Tuesday’s (1/15) Senate Education committee meeting, three Senators broached the subject of and possible alternatives to school funding.

Senator Deb Soholt (14) said the current funding formula feels “like it’s in its own universe in relationship to where we really need to go with accountability.”

“Away from funding, how can we help districts meet the challenges for the mass customized learning approach we’re taking today,” Senator, and Committee Chair, J. Mark Johnston (12) said.

“I’m coming around to the issue of funding,” Senator Bruce Rampelberg (30) said. “When you start to pare off of who gets what, it sure seems to me that we really need to, as a state… increase the funding level that we have available to do these (DOE education outcomes) many things that you (Secretary Melody Schoop) are identifying.”

We don’t want to read anything into any of the Senators’ quotes, but rather make note of the discussion that’s taking place in the early stages of session.

One of ASBSD’s goals for this session was to explore long-term, permanent funding options available and begin the conversation to secure a source. It’s encouraging to hear the discussion in committee and that legislators are carefully analyzing the current state of funding for schools.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, Education Funding, School Funding, State Aid,

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Back to it
Posted Tuesday, January 15, 2013

South Dakota’s 88^th legislative session kicks off its second week this morning. The second meeting of the Senate Education Committee meeting leads off the day with Secretary of Education Melody Schopp will be presenting the DOE’s educational outcomes plan for the coming years.

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, ASBSD, School Funding, SPED,

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ASBSD Legislative Roundup
Posted Friday, January 11, 2013

The first week of the 2013 legislative session is complete and a total of 133 bills have been introduced, but, so far, legislation related to K-12 education has been minimal. As we know, however, that will change.

One piece of legislation already introduced that ASBSD is closely monitoring is Senate Bill 15. The bill proposes an increase to the special education tax levy imposed by districts, but caps the extraordinary cost fund provided by the state at $4 million and does not provide an increase in funding for each disability category.

The result of these changes could be an increase in the amount of local effort provided for special education funding. ASBSD will continue to monitor the bill and provide updates on it, as well as other important pieces of legislation as they are introduced.

Note: ASBSD’s Bill Tracker will be populated with bills being monitored by ASBSD and will be fully functional on Monday. If you have questions, please contact Tyler Pickner at tpickner@asbsd.orgor at 605-881-3791.

Statements made from the week’s testimony, speeches, social media updates and more.

“As other states are looking to cut, we can look where to spend these dollars.” – Gov. Dennis Daugaard said during his State of the State address.

“There’s still concern out there that we need to secure a long-term funding source for education.” – Senator Billie Sutton of District 21 said in an interview with SDPB following the State of the State address.

“Whether there’s enough to pass anything (ongoing funding for schools), I don’t know, but I think there will be some interest in trying to put it in ongoing — a small amount.” – Rep. Dan Dryden said in an Argus Leader story posted Friday.

“Students that don’t take senior math show up to our door rusty.” – BOR Executive Director Jack R. Warner said during his presentation in front of the House Education Committee on Friday.

“We want all of our K-12 students to be ready for life.” – Secretary of Education Melody Schopp said while presenting at Wednesday’s House of Education Committee.

Daugaard opens session with State of the State Address

Changes coming to open meeting laws?

Meet the House and Senate Education Committees

Alphabet Soup and ASBSD

Categories:2013 Legislative Session, ASBSD, School Funding, SPED, Taxation, House Education Committee,

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Capital outlay flexibility sails through the House
Posted Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The South Dakota House of Representatives offered a resounding endorsement Tuesday for extending local flexibility to spend capital outlay revenue, passing SB 111 on a 61-8 vote. The bill now heads to the governor, who is expected to sign the measure.

With the passage of SB 111, schools will be able to use up to 45 percent of their capital outlay revenue to pay for some insurance, energy, fuel and transportation costs. The flexibility was extended two years ago, but is set to expire June 30, 2012. If signed by the governor, it will allow those expenditures through FY14.

Supporters asked lawmakers to give schools another tool to make it through difficult financial times. The few who opposed the measure did so in protest against shifting more of the burden for K-12 funding onto local property tax payers.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, Capital Outlay, School Funding,

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Hosue panel endorses property tax freeze
Posted Tuesday, February 15, 2011

The House State Affairs Committee Monday endorsed a plan to allow local property taxes to remain stable if drastic cuts to education are implemented.

It only took legislators two minutes to hear testimony and unanimously endorse HB 1110. The bill’s main sponsor, Rep. David Lust, R-Rapid City, characterized the proposal as a “vehicle bill” intended to minimize the proposed cuts to education.

“It’s a work in progress at this time,” Rep. Lust said. “There are many details we need to work out.”

The proposal is conceptually similar to SB 152, a plan offered by Sen. Larry Rhoden, R-Union Center. It’s likely both HB 1110 and SB 152 will end up in conference committee after lawmakers arrive at a broader consensus on K-12 funding.

Gov. Daugaard has said he won’t oppose the plan to allow schools to retain local property tax revenue, but he was clear that he’d prefer to force local schools to opt-out for the money. Legislators have taken a different track, arguing that the governor’s plan to reduce property taxes hurts schools without helping the state budget.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, School Funding, State Aid,

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Senators stop bill to change kindergarten count
Posted Friday, February 11, 2011

A proposed law that would have cut funding for districts who don’t offer full-time kindergarten programs was stopped Tuesday in the South Dakota Senate. Lawmakers defeated SB 72 on a 22-13 vote, effectively killing the plan.

Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, pitched the idea to lawmakers as a way to ensure the state earns sufficient return on its K-12 investment. She likened the concept behind the bill to a business that pays a part-time employee a full-time salary.

“This is something that needs to be addressed and corrected,” Sen. Peters said. “The state is paying full price and only getting half the product.”

A chorus of Rapid City legislators argued for the bill, saying it’s the right thing to do even though their home district will lose the most state funding as result.

“Continuing to do it wrong will never make it right,” said Sen. Jeff Haverly, R-Rapid City. “Let’s fix this problem right here, right now instead of passing it along to future Legislatures.”

Sen. Cooper Garnos, R-Presho, led the opposition to the plan, saying the change would “cause significant hardships throughout South Dakota.” If the measure passes, some schools would lose funding they are investing in other areas of their budget, he argued.

As the debate progressed, lawmakers expressed frustration at the lack of data regarding full-time kindergarten. The state education department doesn’t track which schools offer full-time kindergarten and there is no state information to back-up whether full-time kindergarten prepares students better than part-time programs. The bill was defeated, but sponsors hinted that the concept will come back next year, after the state has collected sufficient data on kindergarten programs.

ASBSD opposed the legislation.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, Kindergarten,

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HB 1203: The granddaddy of all Capital Outlay flexibility
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

A proposed law will break down the barrier between school district general and capital outlay funds.

House Bill 1203 allows schools to recapture revenue lost from cuts to the per-student allocation by transferring surplus from the capital outlay fund to the general fund. The legislation puts no restrictions on how schools can use the money, and the flexibility lasts through fiscal year 2013. The measure only takes effect if the per-student allocation drops from one year to the next.

Another measure that extends current capital outlay flexibility through 2014 has already passed the Senate. House Bill 1203 is not yet scheduled for a hearing.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, Capital Outlay, School Funding,

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Budget director defends state Edujobs plan
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

The state acted outside of the intent of federal legislation aimed at saving education jobs but met its obligations to comply with the letter of the law, the state’s top budget official said Thursday.

State Budget Director Jason Dilges made the comments during his testimony against HB 1205, a measure that would require the state to distribute $26.3 million - the amount sent to South Dakota last August - to schools during the current fiscal year. Responding to criticism that the state didn’t use the money the way the Congress intended, Dilges defended the state’s plan.

“I can’t deny what the intent was in Washington, D.C.,” Dilges said before saying that the U.S. Department of Education gave South Dakota the permission to supplant state funds with federal dollars. “South Dakota has and will fully comply with 100 percent of what is in the legislation.”

Yankton Superintendent Joe Gertsema was one of three school administrators who asked committee members to approve the measure. Gertsema told lawmakers that South Dakota’s plan didn’t match the federal intent, which was to provide emergency aid to schools and to prevent teacher layoffs. Instead, the state kept the money to bolster its budget, he said.

Appropriations Chair Rep. Dean Wink, R-Howes, was the only legislator to speak in favor of the plan. He said the state has obligations other than K-12 education, and that the money saved by  is needed to sure-up the state’s budget.

The committee voted to table the bill on a 5-3 vote.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, School Funding,

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Bill would slash small school ajustment, fund ESAs
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

A newly proposed law would trim funding for small schools to restore funding for the state’s six Education Service Agencies.

Senate Bill 165 cuts the maximum value of the small school adjustment to $3,814, down from its current upper limit of $4,238. The reduction would generate nearly $1 million that would be used to fund regional school service agencies.

The bill’s prime sponsor is Sen. Phyllis Heineman, R-Sioux Falls, and Rep. Scott Munsterman, R-Brookings.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding,

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Funding for open-enrolled students to remain unchanged
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

Members of Senate Education voted 5-2 Tuesday to turn away legislation aimed at reducing per-student aid for students who attend school outside his or her resident district.

Senate Bill 85 proposes a change to the way open-enrolled students are funded. If a student open-enrolls to a district that receives the small school adjustment, the per-student allocation for that child would be based on the resident district’s fall enrollment.

Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, tried to convince lawmakers that SB 85 would restore fairness to the formula and save taxpayers $1.1 million. She called on lawmakers to support the bill and to put a stop to schools receiving “bonus” money and to ensure students are “switching schools for the right reasons.”

Avon Superintendent Tom Culver and Elkton Superintendent Tony Simons lined up in opposition to the legislation. The two administrators stressed to lawmakers that parents and students are making a choice to attend a smaller school. They also detailed the financial hardship the measure would cause in their districts.

While several committee members credited Sen. Peters for making a strong case for the bill, lawmakers opted to kill the bill. Sen. Todd Schlekeway, R-Sioux Falls, told lawmakers that he hopes action on another bill regulating busing would work to accomplish the goals of Senate Bill 85.

The discussion on the bill frustrated Sen. Mark Johnston, R-Sioux Falls. He called for educators and lawmakers to work together to update the state’s struggling school finance system, which he said dates back to the 1950s. Budget battles have legislators “vapor-locked,” he said, which prevents real discussions about education funding reform from happening.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding, School Choice,

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House Ed to hear co-curricular tax plan
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

A proposal to establish a new local tax levy for co-curricular activities will meet its first legislative test during a House Education hearing on Monday, Feb. 7.

House Bill 1175 would establish a new “co-curricular fund” that schools must use to pay for co-curricular activities. The measure is revenue neutral for schools - districts would be able to levy up to $1.40 for co-curricular related expenses, but any revenue generated locally would be deducted from the district’s state aid allocation. Schools would be banned from using any general fund dollars to pay any co-curricular expenses.

In essence, the proposed law shifts additional tax burden onto property tax payers.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, School Funding,

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Senate Ed passes kindergarten changes
Posted Thursday, February 3, 2011

A proposal that will change how kindergarten students are counted passed its first legislative hurdle Tuesday. Members of Senate Education approved SB 72 on a 4-3 vote, opting to define full-day kindergarten in state law and limiting state funding to districts that offer half-day programs.

Before narrowly endorsing the concept, lawmakers modified the bill slightly. Legislators added a delayed implementation, making the bill fully effective in 2013 and reducing the financial blow in 2012. In its amended version, students who don’t attend a full-day program in 2012 will be counted as .75 students for fall enrollment purposes. The committee also added language that would distribute back to schools any savings resulting from the bill’s implementation.

Sen. Deb Peters, R-Hartford, pitched the bill as a fairness issue and as a way to ensure the state is getting the maximum return on the state’s investment.

“The state is paying full price for part time,” Sen. Peters said, adding later that the bill was a possible way to blunt the impact of a proposed 10 percent cut to K-12 education.

Education groups, including ASBSD, opposed the change, arguing that the change would add additional financial burden in a year when the governor has proposed deep cuts to schools.

Senators Rave, Schlekeway, Kraus and Johnston voted in favor of the bill. Senators Garnos, Gray and Bradford voted against the measure.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, School Funding, State Aid,

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Lawmakers reject bill to allow for online minutes
Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2011

A House committee has turned away legislation that would have allowed local governments to post meeting minutes and legal notices online instead of paying to publish them in newspapers.

Members of House Local Government rejected HB 1078 Tuesday on a 9-4 vote. Lawmakers who voted against the measure argued that the move would limit access to government notices, particularly for elderly people in small towns.

A parade of local government and school officials, including the Department of Education, testified for the measure. Supporters cited efficiency and the possibility that posting online would broaden access as major reasons to pass the legislation.

The South Dakota Newspaper Association was the lone opponent. The lobbying group argued that the bill would not save much money and that the only sure way to protect the accuracy of the notices was to have them published by an independent third party.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, School Funding,

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Several bills look to raise revenue to fund K-12
Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2011

In the face of the governor’s promise to veto any plan to increase the state’s revenue, several lawmakers have filed bills designed to increase revenue and prevent cuts to K-12 education.

House Bill 1222 temporarily increases the state sales and use tax from 4 to 5 percent from April to November. The revenue generated would be used to fund education and other budgetary needs. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Tom Brunner, R-Nisland, and Sen. Joni Cutler, R-Sioux Falls.

Senate Bill 154 raises the sales tax one-half cent for FY12. The revenue would be dedicated to keeping the per-student allocation flat for next year. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Tim Begalka, R-Clear Lake, and Rep. Tom Brunner, R-Nisland.

Senate Bill 174 will raise the state’s sales tax by 1 cent only during the summer months of June, July and August. The measure’s main sponsor, Sen. Stan Adelstein, R-Rapid City, has said the measure would raise $50 million annually. The additional revenue would be used to fund the state’s budget shortfall.

House Bill 1239 seeks to increase the revenue harvested from the health care and education enhancement trust funds. Under current law, the state collects interest income from the two funds. Annual distributions from the trust, which equal 4 percent of the value of the fund, are used to fund the state’s general fund obligations. According to the proposed law, the state would draw 7 percent of the value of the fund. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brock Greenfield, R-Clark, and Sen. Billie Sutton, D-Burke.

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, School Funding, State Aid,

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Capital outlay bills earn approval
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2011

Members of Senate Education gave the nod Thursday morning to two measures designed to give schools additional flexibility in how capital outlay dollars are spent.

Two years ago, school boards were granted the authority to use some capital revenue for certain transportation, insurance, energy and utility costs. The budgetary authority is set to expire in 2012. The Senate Education committee passed both SB 111 and SB 92 this morning, sending two capital outlay flexibility alternatives to the Senate floor.

Senate Bill 111 will provide a two-year extension of the current flexibility, through 2014.

Senate Bill 92 goes a step further by broadening the budgetary flexibility to allow schools to purchase employee health insurance with capital outlay revenue. The measure also allows schools to use up to 60 percent of the district’s annual capital outlay revenue, up from 45 percent under the previous language, for the purposes specified in the bill. The budgetary flexibility is extended through 2015 and allows schools to use the 2010 capital outlay levy as a base.

For more, stick with Open Forum.


Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, Capital Outlay, School Funding,

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Extending, broadening capital outlay flexibility
Posted Monday, January 24, 2011

With schools facing tight budgets and the prospect of a $60 million cut, the issue of expanding the use of capital outlay revenue will resurface again in the 2011 Legislative Session.

Lawmakers have already filed two pieces of legislation aimed at extending the capital outlay flexibility schools already have. Two years ago, school boards were granted the authority to use some capital revenue for certain transportation, insurance, energy and utility costs. The budgetary authority is set to expire in 2012.

Senate Bill 111 will provide a two-year extension of the current flexibility, through 2014. The bill’s prime sponsors are Senate Majority Leader Russ Olson, R-Madison, and Rep. Kim Vanneman, R-Ideal.

Senate Bill 92 goes a step further by broadening the budgetary flexibility to allow schools to purchase employee health insurance with capital outlay revenue. The measure also allows schools to use up to 60 percent of the district’s annual capital outlay revenue, up from 45 percent under the previous language, for the purposes specified in the bill. The flexibility would last until 2015. The bill’s prime sponsor is Senate Education Chair Cooper Garnos, R-Presho. 

Categories:2011 Legislative Session, Taxation, Capital Outlay, School Funding,

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Governor signs laws offering SPED funding flexibility
Posted Friday, February 19, 2010

Local school districts with have greater autonomy in spending federal special education funds, according to a pair of bills signed into law this week.

Gov. Mike Rounds has put his signature on House Bills 1020 and 1021, two pieces of legislation brought by the South Dakota Department of Education that won near unanimous approval from legislators.

Under House Bill 1020, districts would be able to transfer up to 50 percent of an increased IDEA allocation to any other district fund, provided the transferred money is used in accordance with the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. In most cases, districts will use the new authority to transfer some of the two-year IDEA boost provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

House Bill 1021 provides schools with an additional leeway in spending IDEA money, allowing districts to transfer federal money to the capital outlay fund in order to purchase equipment that can be used for special education purposes.

Both bills were passed with emergency clauses attached, meaning schools can legally make the transfers now.

Categories:2010 Legislative Session, SPED, School Funding,

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Plan to freeze funding doesn't change index factor
Posted Friday, January 15, 2010

Gov. Rounds' proposal to freeze per-student funding won't change the “3 percent or less” law that governs annual per-student increases.

The legislation that aims to enact the governor's proposal – filed as HB 1050 – instead changes the number by which the index factor is applied. The measure simply sets the per-student allocation at $4,804.60 for FY11, the same amount as the current year.

Under currently law, the per-student allocation would be $4,862.26, which would be an increase of $57.66. The governor has said the state can't afford the $3.8 million necessary to provide the increase required by law.

Though he's pushing the freeze, the governor won't seek to permanently eliminate the “3 percent or less” index factor language, a law that he has historically championed as evidence that the state considers education funding a top priority.

In the past, the governor has characterized the law as the only guaranteed funding increase contained in state law. This year, the governor has not made reference to the law as a guarantee.

Categories:2010 Legislative Session, State Aid, School Funding,

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