Education & Schools

Changes how schools calculate property taxes and state funding for general and special education.

This bill revises property tax levies for school districts by reducing the maximum general fund levy rates and adjusting the state aid formula. It decreases the maximum levy from $5.211 to $4.874 per thousand dollars of taxable valuation for general property, from $1.125 to $1.052 for agricultural property, and from $2.518 to $2.355 for owner-occupied single-family dwellings. The bill also updates the target teacher salary base year and makes minor adjustments to the overhead rate in the state aid formula.

Adjusts funding requirements for special education programs.

This bill modifies South Dakota's special education funding by increasing the amount set aside for extraordinary expenses from $4 million to $5 million starting July 1, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2027, both the annual set-aside amount and the maximum reserve cap will increase annually by an index factor. The bill also changes the decision-making process for expenditures from oversight board recommendation and secretary approval to a process defined in section 13-37-60.

Limits student cell phone use during school hours.

This bill prohibits students from using cell phones during the school day, with exceptions for approved medical/educational accommodations and health/safety emergencies. School districts must adopt policies setting disciplinary actions for noncompliance.

Funds new manufacturing labs and classrooms at Southeast Technical College.

This bill appropriates $6,000,000 from the general fund to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct an advanced manufacturing laboratory space and classrooms at Southeast Technical College. The appropriation is contingent upon the college receiving $18,000,000 from other sources (gifts, grants, donations) and no bonds being issued for the project. The bill designates administrative oversight to the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration and includes standard appropriation procedures for voucher approval and fund reversion.

Changes the rules for petitions to challenge school tax increases.

This bill modifies school district excess tax levy procedures by: (1) requiring resolutions to specify the total maximum dollar amount of taxes over the full term; (2) changing petition requirements from 5% to 50 registered voters and extending filing deadline from 20 to 40 days; (3) requiring ballot language to state the levy duration and total maximum tax amount; and (4) requiring elections to follow special election procedures under § 13-16-6.4.

Funds construction of a trades training center at Lake Area Technical College.

This bill appropriates $5.2 million from the general fund to the South Dakota Board of Technical Education to construct, complete, and equip a trades center at Lake Area Technical College. The funding is contingent upon the college matching the state appropriation with gifts, grants, donations, or other sources. The bill prohibits issuing bonds for the project and places construction oversight under the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration. It includes standard appropriation language for voucher approval and fund reversion procedures, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Funds programs to keep teachers from leaving their jobs.

This bill appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund to the Department of Education for grants to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools for a statewide educator retention initiative. The initiative will use data to address educator retention issues, with grants available from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029. The Department of Education can partner with qualified organizations and use up to 5% of the appropriation for administrative costs.

Requires schools to have cardiac emergency plans and funds them.

This bill requires all public and private schools in South Dakota to implement cardiac emergency response plans. Each school must establish a cardiac emergency response team, place automated external defibrillators in accessible locations including athletic venues, and conduct annual drills. The bill mandates annual CPR, first-aid, and AED training for athletic trainers, coaches, school nurses, and cardiac emergency response team members. Schools must collaborate with local emergency services and review their plans annually.

Provides funding to help schools cover their operating costs.

This bill appropriates $5,000,000 from the general fund to the Department of Education to defray operational costs of school districts. The money will be distributed directly to school districts based on their proportional share of 2026 fall enrollment relative to statewide enrollment. The appropriation is effective June 30, 2026, and any unused funds revert by June 30, 2027.

Creates a fund to help build and repair schools.

This bill creates the South Dakota school construction loan fund administered by the Department of Education to provide zero-interest loans to eligible school districts for constructing or expanding school buildings. Loans are limited to 40% of total project costs with 20-year repayment terms. The fund allocates 30% for districts with 4,000+ students and 70% for smaller districts. Eligibility restrictions exclude districts near other districts (within 10 miles) and small districts under 200 students unless designated as sparse. The bill establishes application processes, reporting requirements, and appropriates $1 to initialize the fund, effective June 30, 2026.

Redirects special donation funds to support job training programs for students.

This bill repeals the existing special donations fund for the Jobs for America's Graduates-South Dakota program and replaces it with a $500,000 appropriation from the general fund to the Department of Education. The appropriation provides grants to nonprofit organizations supporting the Jobs for America's Graduates program in schools. The bill transfers any existing money in the special donations fund to the general fund and becomes effective June 30, 2026.

Creates and funds after-school programs for students.

This bill creates a new state program called the 'Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time Program' that provides grants to school districts and qualifying nonprofits to operate after-school, before-school, and summer programs for students. The bill establishes a dedicated fund for the program, funded by $2.5 million from the general fund and $35 from annual LLC reporting fees. The Department of Education will administer the grants, with priority given to providers serving under-served students and maintaining community partnerships. Grant recipients can use funds for staff, materials, and student transportation.

Makes sure kids who qualify for reduced-price school meals get them for free, with the state covering the cost.

This bill establishes that school districts cannot charge reduced-price eligible students for any meals through federal lunch and breakfast programs, allows districts to charge full-price students and employees for meals, and requires the Department of Education to reimburse districts for the costs of providing meals to reduced-price eligible students (minus federal reimbursements).

Creates funds to boost pay for healthcare workers and teachers.

This bill creates two new state funds: the target teacher salary supplement fund (administered by Department of Education) and the community-based providers methodology supplement fund (administered by Department of Human Services). It establishes a formula for transferring unobligated state cash balances: first to the budget reserve fund (up to 10% of prior year appropriations), then any remaining balance is split 30% to teacher salary fund, 30% to community-based providers fund, and 40% to the general revenue placement fund. The funds are designed to increase teacher salaries and rates for community-based healthcare providers.

Changes how special education programs are funded.

This bill restructures South Dakota's special education funding system by reorganizing and updating definitions for disability levels, enrollment calculations, and funding allocations. It changes how 'local effort' is calculated by referencing a special education levy rather than specifying a fixed levy amount, and updates various disability level definitions with more detailed descriptions of qualifying conditions.

Gives property tax credits to families paying private school tuition.

This bill creates a new property tax credit system for property owners who incur educational expenses for children aged 5-19 enrolled in nonpublic schools or receiving alternative instruction. The credit covers expenses like tuition, fees, textbooks, tutoring, testing fees, transportation, and educational technology. The credit is capped at the lesser of 80% of school district taxes owed or $1,000 per property owner per year. Property owners must apply by June 1st with documentation verified by schools or alternative instruction providers.

Funds construction of a new indoor sports facility at Dakota State University.

This bill appropriates $13,330,000 to the Board of Regents for the design and construction of an indoor athletics facility at Dakota State University's Beacom PREMIER Complex in Madison. The bill allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the estimated amount due to inflation and regulatory changes, permits acceptance of external funding sources, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Allows schools to place disruptive students in alternative classrooms.

This bill creates new authority for school boards to assign students to alternative educational settings when those students exhibit aggressive or violent behaviors that disrupt the school or affect health and safety factors of the school or its programs. The bill includes protections ensuring it cannot limit existing enrollment options or conflict with federal disability education laws.

Changes how the School Finance Accountability Board makes and approves recommendations.

This bill restructures the School Finance Accountability Board's authority and processes. It changes the board from making recommendations subject to legislative committee approval to having direct authority to impose penalties, reduce state aid, require accreditation reviews, and grant waivers to school districts. The bill establishes new waiver processes for districts that exceed cash balance limits or fail to meet teacher compensation requirements, with conditions that waivers can be rescinded if districts don't maintain compliance for three years.

Funds construction of a new soccer stadium at South Dakota State University.

This bill authorizes the Board of Regents to contract for the design and construction of a new soccer venue at South Dakota State University with an estimated cost of $5.04 million. The bill provides appropriation authority for donated funds, allows cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate for inflation and regulatory compliance, permits acceptance of federal and donated funds, specifies that no state liability is created, and establishes administrative oversight through the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration.

Funds an expansion to the pig barn at South Dakota State University.

This bill appropriates $1,720,000 to the Board of Regents for the design and construction of an addition to an existing swine wean-to-finish barn at South Dakota State University. The appropriation comes from other fund expenditure authority for donated moneys, and allows for cost adjustments up to 125% of the original estimate due to inflation or regulatory changes. The bill includes standard appropriation provisions for accepting additional funds, disclaiming state liability for any debt incurred, and administrative oversight.

Requires public schools to display the state motto and covers legal costs if challenged.

This bill requires all public schools to display South Dakota's state motto 'Under God the People Rule' in prominent locations like entryways, cafeterias, or other common areas. The bill extends existing legal protections to cover lawsuits arising from displaying the state motto - the attorney general must provide free legal representation to school districts, employees, and board members, and the state assumes financial responsibility for all related expenses including monetary damages, attorney fees, and costs.

Funds a new athletic facility at the University of South Dakota.

This bill appropriates $40,000,000 to the Board of Regents for the design and construction of an athletic facility at the University of South Dakota. The facility will include an indoor track, jumping areas, throwing cages, practice areas, locker rooms, offices, seating for 2,000 spectators, and related infrastructure. The Board may adjust costs up to 125% of the estimate for inflation and regulatory compliance, and may accept additional funding from federal sources or donations. The state disclaims any liability for debts incurred under this appropriation.

Gives school districts interest earned on unclaimed property funds.

This bill redirects interest earnings from the unclaimed property trust fund away from the general fund to school districts instead. Specifically, it changes the distribution of 4% of the market value of the unclaimed property trust fund from going to the general fund to being apportioned to school districts based on their student enrollment numbers. The bill modifies the school funding apportionment formula to include these unclaimed property trust fund distributions alongside existing funding sources like school land lease income and federal payments.

Requires voter approval when school districts want to raise property taxes.

This bill eliminates the 'opt-out' procedure for school district excess tax levies and mandates that all excess tax levies (both for general fund and capital outlay purposes) must be approved by voter election. Currently, school districts can impose excess tax levies with a two-thirds governing body vote, subject to a potential referendum if petitioned by voters. The bill removes the petition requirement and makes elections mandatory for all excess tax levies.

Allows schools to use nasal spray epinephrine for allergic reactions.

This bill amends South Dakota's school epinephrine administration law to allow schools to stock and administer epinephrine via nasal spray in addition to auto-injectors. The bill updates multiple sections to include 'or nasal spray' alongside existing auto-injector provisions, covering acquisition, storage policies, administration procedures, training requirements, and liability protections. The same immunity from ordinary negligence claims applies to nasal spray administration.

Changes what school districts can spend capital funds on.

This bill reorganizes and expands the permissible uses of a school district's capital outlay fund. The bill restructures the existing law into a numbered list format and adds new permitted expenditures including: property insurance premiums, up to 15% of transportation contracts or mileage reimbursement costs, warranties on capital assets (excluding supplies), textbooks, and instructional software purchases or renewals. The bill maintains existing provisions for real property, facilities, equipment, installment payments, and capital outlay certificates.

Updates background check requirements for school employees.

This bill makes minor word changes to school employee criminal background check requirements. It changes references from 'school district' to just 'school' in multiple sections, changes 'any accredited school' to 'a school' in the reporting requirements, and removes 'South Dakota' from certain references. The substantive requirements for criminal background investigations, employment restrictions, and reporting obligations remain unchanged.

Changes the required courses for high school graduation.

This bill directs the South Dakota Board of Education Standards to amend administrative rules for high school graduation requirements. The changes are primarily technical, replacing 'units' with 'credits' throughout and making minor grammatical edits. It adds that agriculture science courses can be substituted for one science credit (except biology), similar to existing computer science substitution rules. It also reorganizes language about advanced endorsements and extracurricular fine arts credit without substantive changes.

Allows high school students to earn academic credit for playing sports.

This bill directs the South Dakota Board of Education Standards to amend administrative rules regarding high school graduation requirements. The main change allows students to earn up to one-half credit in physical education for participation in school-sanctioned extracurricular varsity athletic activities (maximum one-fourth credit per activity per school year). The bill also makes technical changes to terminology throughout the graduation requirements, changing 'units' to 'credits' and making other minor linguistic updates.