When she gave her fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations earlier this month (Dec. 3, 2024), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem proposed a 1.25% funding increase for education and the creation of Education Savings Accounts that could be used for students attending private schools or being home schooled.
Pierre School District Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt says it could be a challenging 2025 Legislative Session for public education.
Glodt says the low increase she suggested for the “Big Three”– education, healthcare providers and state employees– was about what was expected.
With millions of dollars in recommended spending cuts, Glodt says creating a new, government funded Education Savings Account program doesn’t sound like the best use of public dollars.
In her budget proposal, Noem said the ESA program would not be a detriment to public education funding. Glodt says the ESA program may start small, but it could quickly cost much more than $4 million.
South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session begins Jan. 14, 2025.
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