Prior to this month’s regular meeting (Dec. 9, 2024), Pierre School Board members and the three lawmakers from District 24 met to talk about education related issues that may come up during the 2025 legislative session.
When she gave her fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations earlier this month (Dec. 3, 2024), South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem proposed the creation of Education Savings Accounts for K-12 students. She said the initial investment of $3000 per qualifying student– or approximately $4 million– could be used to pay for a portion of a student’s private school tuition or home schooling.
Representative Mike Weisgram from Fort Pierre isn’t sure what the actual ESA program would look like.
With millions of dollars in recommended spending cuts in the budget, Representative Will Mortenson of Fort Pierre doesn’t like the idea of starting a new, government funded program.
Senator Jim Mehlhaff of Pierre isn’t as concerned about ESAs as his two counterparts are.
South Dakota’s 100th Legislative Session begins Jan. 14, 2025.
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