South Dakota Democratic Party
01/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 12:28
COLUMN: Private School Vouchers Will Hurt Rural Communities
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COLUMN: Education Savings Accounts Will Have Consequences in Rural Communities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 2025 |
And so it begins… With the start of January comes the start of a new legislative session for South Dakota lawmakers and constituents alike. While there are certainly some worthy causes that need to be addressed and many others that will be debated, there are some that yet again leave me questioning the motive or need. Front and center this session is House Bill 1020, which would 'establish an education savings account' aka a school voucher bill. Don't get me wrong, I fully support a parent's right to send their children to private school or even homeschool, but as a public-school proponent, I have to question the motives behind this bill. Being from a small town, the public school is our lifeblood. I can't imagine cutting funds from our already cash-strapped local districts. Governor Noem says funding to public schools won't be impacted, but this is still millions of dollars that could have gone to classrooms that really need it. Is this really the route we, as South Dakotans, want to go? Several other states have implemented their own private school voucher programs, but costs have ballooned out of control, leaving deficits and many people questioning if the cost is really worth the end result. Once again as we head into the 2025 legislative session, South Dakota finds itself near the bottom nationally in teacher pay and per student spending. This is having real consequences, particularly in rural schools, where teaching positions have been left open for months and even into the school year, forcing districts to get creative just to fill vital roles. We must question if $4 million for an "education savings account" is really in our best interest as a state, when we have other serious issues including: skyrocketing property taxes, low teacher pay, food insecurity, childcare and rural housing just to name a few. I urge you to support the many groups already forming to oppose this legislation, and I encourage every state legislator to find a better way forward for our kids in 2025.
Shane Merrill |
| For questions, you can contact the SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers at [email protected] or contact the state party office by phone at 605-271-5405 or 605-940-3071. |
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Paid for by the South Dakota Democratic Party | www.sddp.org |