Highlights & Insights
January 26, 2024
June 21, 2024 (Volume 1, Edition 13)
Committee searches for property tax assessment solutions
By Jacob Boyko
ASBSD Communications Intern
The 2024 Study Committee on Property Tax Assessment Methodology met Monday (6/17) to discuss the methodology of property tax assessments.
“The market in South Dakota has been increasing significantly,” said Wendy Semmler, DOR’s Director of the Property Tax Division, adding that county assessors, who complete all property tax assessments regardless of taxing authority, don’t have historical data to accurately pinpoint by how much non-agriculture land should increase.
She continued: “We know the values are increasing, we just don’t have solid data [to determine by how much it should increase] … The market is a moving target that’s always changing, so it’s not uncommon that every single county isn’t going to land an absolutely accurate figure and that’s why the taxpayers pay on 85% of market value.”
State Department of Revenue Secretary Michael Houdyshell pointed out to the committee that South Dakota residents have the “fourth lowest tax burden” in the nation, and laid out three options for the committee to consider.
The first option would be to “reduce the need,” which would cut local budgets, including budgets for public schools. The second option is to “shift the burden” to other tax areas, and the third option is finding “alternative sources of revenue”
Rep. Kirk Chaffee cautioned the board about eroding local control.
“We don’t mind paying taxes as long as we’re making the money [to pay them],” he said. “Each county needs to set up a protocol [with county commissioners on equalization processes].”
The committee will meet again in August to hear from agriculture groups and see counties’ presentations on equalization processes. The State Department of Education may also present at this meeting.
The following September meeting will have opportunities for public testimony as the committee begins discussing ideas and solutions.
Apply for the ASBSD Executive Director Position
- Click here for information about the position and process, and here for the application.
Sunday, Jun 30, 2024, 12:00 PM
Artificial intelligence draws legislators' attention
By Jacob Boyko
ASBSD Communications Intern
Representatives serving on the study committee for Artificial Intelligence and Social Media And Children met Tuesday (6/18) to discuss action to address the use of AI in school.
Rep. Tony Venhuizen warned committee members that students’ schoolwork may be compromised by the increasing use of AI systems, and mentioned California and Florida were exploring legislation to ban students from having smartphones in school.
State Department of Education Secretary Dr. Joseph Graves told the committee it’s unlikely state or local legislation could have any meaningful impact on AI.
He told the committee that schools have already taken certain steps to address the use of AI in schools and that many have already adopted ASBSD’s sample policy.
“I do believe…(schools) are handling AI pretty well,” Graves said about his department’s “hands-off approach” to the subject.
Dr. David DeJong, Dean of the College and Human Performance at Dakota State University, told the committee that some teachers use AI systems to assist them with their classroom work, and that most teachers don’t have their students use the systems.
Rep. Chris Karr asked the committee to develop further what they see as the impact of AI use in education.
“I’m not clear on that (impact),” he said.
The committee will meet again August 14.
ASBSD/COSA School Law Webinar recordings available
- Click Here for more information, and click here for the recording.
Monday, Jun 10, 2024, 12:00 PM
School Districts to receive rebates from ASBSD p-Card program
By Holly Nagel
Chief Financial Officer & Director of Protective Trust Services
Forty-six South Dakota school districts will be receiving a total of $97,344 from p-Card rebates.
The rebates are based on an overall annual spend of $8,698,021. This is a card utilization increase of 7.23% from the prior year. Individual district rebates range from $28 to $26,837. Purchases are for day-to-day items that are bought with the ease of the p-Card while earning money back for the district.
The p-Card program operates like a credit card, but without the hoops to jump through when dealing with the credit line and allows administrators to customize purchasing authority and spending levels to fit their district. This program allows for complete control of cards with without annual fees or start up costs.
With the ongoing increase in operation costs for districts, the rebate returns dollars back to the district and supplement the budget.
If you would like additional information on the p-Card program, contact Holly Nagel or check out https://asbsd.org/services/financial-services/.
Register for the ASBSD & SASD Convention
Registration for the Premier Learning Event for School Board Members and Administrators is now open!
Join hundreds of school leaders for the 2024 ASBSD-SASD Convention on Thursday and Friday, August 8-9 in Sioux Falls to network with fellow board members and administrators, be inspired by keynote speakers, celebrate achievements, learn from breakout session presenters, find great services for schools and prepare for the new school year!
Click here to register for the 2024 ASBSD-SASD Convention and follow these instructions: Convention Registration Information for Individuals, to complete registration. Individuals can register only themselves while Business Managers & Superintendents can register multiple people from the district.
Registration cost for the two-day conference is $205 per person with fees increasing to $250 after Friday, July 12 and $100 cancellation fee also applies for those cancelling on or after July 13 or not attending the Convention.
Districts registering three school board members receive a FREE registration for one administrator.
Attending Board members earn 20 ALL points for their school board and administrators earn 15 CEUs!
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the:
• Sheraton (1211 N W Ave.): Click here to reserve from the block online.
• Holiday Inn & Suite Sioux Falls – Airport (2040 W Russell St.): Click here to reserve from the block online.
• Ramada Hotel (1301 W Russell Street): Call to make reservations at 605-336-1020 and use the room block name: ASBSD/SASD Joint Convention.
More information on a block of rooms at the Ramada (1301 W Russell St.) will be provided in the near future.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact ASBSD Director of Communications Tyler Pickner at 605-773-8382 or at tpickner@asbsd.org.
2024 ASBSD & SASD Convention
Register here for the August 8-9 convention.
Thursday, Aug 8, 2024, 09:00 AM
Sioux Falls Convention Center, West Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
CTE rules approved by legislature's rules review committee
By Tyler Pickner
ASBSD Director of Communications
Members of the legislature’s Rules Review committee recently approved a package of rules affecting CTE instructor permits on a 5-1 vote.
View the proposed rules here (pages 25-30).
House Bill 1187, which allows schools to hire a CTE instructor on a one-year permit, is the impetus for a portion of the proposed rules.
The bill requires a prospective CTE instructor to, in addition to having a high school diploma or the equivalent, have an associate degree or higher or meet a work requirement or have a national or state certificate in a CTE field and the bill also included a renewal component to the one year permit.
DOE Division of Accreditation and Certification Director Kathryn Blaha told committee members HB 1187 stated “rules can be promulgated to include what continuing education” can be required and that justified the rule DOE created that requires 0.5 education-related credits required for the renewal requirement for the one-year CTE permit.
“We want all our educators to be certified,” Blaha said.
At previous hearing of the CTE permit rules, Rep. Stephanie Sauder testified before the State Board of Education that “It’s a local decision whether they (CTE instructor) should be going through additional professional development” and “the purpose of this bill was to make it an easier way to get our children educated and connect our community.”
Blaha told Rules Review Committee members that Rep. Sauder “was a little bit mixed, but in the end she came out and said she was opposed” to the proposed rules.
Rep. Roger DeGroot, the lone no vote on the package, shared Rep. Sauder’s thoughts on the rules.
“I think it’s up to the (local school) board on these minor incidences they need to make the decisions,” Rep. DeGroot said. “They know if this person’s qualified to be in front of their students.”
The rules will be implemented along with the bill when it becomes law in July.
Submit your nominees for the 2024 ASBSD awards
By Tyler Pickner
Director of Communications
Nominate those who dedicate their time and effort making their public school a great one!
ASBSD encourages your district to nominate an individual, group or organization for one or more of our three awards: School Board Award of Excellence, Outstanding School Board Member of the Year and Community Service Award.
“School board members and community members provide their time and effort to enhance you’re the education and opportunities your district offers,” ASBSD Executive Director Dr. Douglas R. Wermedal said.
“We want to honor their efforts and ask that you nominate those deserving people for these awards.”
ASBSD School Board Award of Excellence: The School Board Award of Excellence is given annually to a public school board that consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership that enhances the achievement for all students. A plaque and a scholarship award of $1,000, which may be used, at the discretion of the board, will be presented to the recipient.
Download the application here or visit the Documents page where the application can be found under the Awards heading.
Outstanding School Board Member: Nominate a local board member who exemplifies extraordinary leadership of public education by implementing initiatives that spur student achievement, advocating for secure funding sources for K-12 education and setting high expectations for the district and themselves among other high-quality characteristics.
Download the application here or visit the Documents page where the application can be found under the Awards heading.
ASBSD Community Service Award: is presented to individuals or groups serving their local school district in exemplary fashion. Award nominees have shown personal involvement to improve the quality of South Dakota public education.
Download the application here or visit the Documents page where the application can be found under the Awards heading.
The deadline for application and name submission for each award is Friday, June 28. Applications for each award should be submitted to ASBSD Executive Secretary Katie Mitchell-Boe by mail to: PO Box 1059, Pierre, SD 57501 or by email to: katie@asbsd.org.
ASBSD will recognize local school board members for specific years of service on their local school board with the Distinguished Service Award. Board members entering their 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th and each five years thereafter in the 2024-25 school year will be honored. ASBSD will contact board members who will be honored in the near future.
Award recipients will be honored at the 2024 ASBSD-SASD Convention in Sioux Falls on August 8.
If you have questions, please contact Katie via email at katie@asbsd.org or by phone at 605-773-2502.