SD educators warn of impact of school voucher programs

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Groups including the Associated School Board of South Dakota, the South Dakota Education Association, the School Administrators of South Dakota and the South Dakota Unified School Districts have come out against any future efforts to use public money to support private schools.

One example is expected legislation allowing school vouchers for private education. They say the idea will take already tight funds away from public schools in the state.

Last year lawmakers in Pierre rejected House Bill 1234. It would have allowed parents to file a form with the Department of Education to request a voucher for the amount of tuition at nonpublic schools. The Department of Education would then pay funds directly to the private school.

The Executive Director of the School Administrators of South Dakota says the impact on public schools would be significant.

“We envision that it is going to have to come from the general fund which would be all K-12 education, which would mean less revenues going out to school districts across the state,” said Rob Monson.

The South Dakota Education Association represents teachers and supports staff all over the state. We asked Executive Director Ryan Rolfs why education groups are speaking out now.

“We want to make sure parents and community members understand this issue before our legislative session even starts. As you stated at the beginning of our interview there was a bill that was introduced last session, there’s been multiple bills over the last couple of sessions, we know this is an issue that is still going to be talked about by legislators and we have a lot of new legislators this year,” said Rolfs.

Monson and Rolfs say South Dakota already struggles to adequately fund public schools in the state.

Supporters of voucher programs say they improve access to education, increase options for students and relieve pressure on overcrowded schools.
But Monson sees it differently

“This is what separated us from many other countries is free and appropriate public education. I truly believe that is the bedrock of our democracy and here in South Dakota our public schools are top-notch,” said Monson.

Rolfs says rural communities could suffer the effects of any drop in funds available for public schools. In rural communities, the public school is often the only option for kids.