Borglum Announces Rural Education Initiative for South Dakota

Borglum Announces Rural Education Initiative for South Dakota

Scyller Borglum, Representative of District 32, Rapid City, announced a Rural Education Initiative today on the South Dakota Public Broadcasting program, “Where Do We Go From Here.”

https://watch.sdpb.org/show/where-do-we-go-here/

“This past session, we demonstrated our commitment to rural South Dakota by investing in medical doctors, attorneys, and veterinarians. I plan to bring new legislation forward in 2020 that focuses on rural education – the foundation of every solid community,” said Borglum.

Borglum believes that educational technology can help serve the needs of rural districts across South Dakota.

Through focus groups, Borglum can listen to the concerns and needs of educational stakeholders, and begin to understand how technology can help with research-based curriculum, monitoring student success, school-to-home connection, and professional development.

“I work by what I call the “20 Foot Rule” which means if we are looking to understand a problem or create a solution we need to meet with people within 20 feet of the problem,” states Borglum.

What does a Rural Education Initiative have to do with a legislator from a non-rural district?

“It’s about jobs! Today’s announcement that Ellsworth was chosen as the first to receive the B-21 is a timely example of why we need to have this Rural Education Initiative. We want to make sure ALL the kids of South Dakota have equal access to the jobs that are coming in the next generation. That begins with education,” explains Borglum.

For more information about this initiative send a FB message to Scyller J Borglum’s page, email [email protected] or call 605-519-0500.

39 thoughts on “Borglum Announces Rural Education Initiative for South Dakota”

  1. That’s lovely. Will you support more money to small schools? Improving the small school factor? How about allowing small school to keep “other revenue” generated from local sources? I’m waiting to see how much of this is PR and how much is reality.

    1. Hi! Thank you for comment. I completely understand your frustrations, and this is one of the reasons I got into politics. I will be hosting listening sessions throughout the summer. Please keep up with me on my Facebook page – Scyller J. Borglum – to get dates and locations for these focus groups. I would love for you to attend! Thanks! SJB.

      1. You’re doing a terrific job for our state, and this is a superb initiative. I was thrilled to read: “It’s about jobs…We want to make sure ALL the kids of South Dakota have equal access to the jobs that are coming in the next generation. That begins with education.”

        Exactly right. Jobs, Safety, and Education. Plus, the 20-foot rule is brilliant!

        1. How is it possible for ALL kids to have equal access to the jobs coming in the next generation when affirmative action does not allow that to happen?

  2. It’s good to see reasonable Republicans understand the importance of public education.

  3. It’s about time someone takes a serious look at our education system. Looks like Ms. Borglum is doing just that. Can’t say enough great things about her so happy she is my representative!

  4. it is wonderful to see a young educated woman taking so much interest in her job. Most of the people who go to pier take the rest of the year off until it’s time to run for re-election not her .

  5. I have the sincerest gratitude for the diligent, reasonable and respectful approach Representative Borglum is taking to address serious education and employment issues in our state. I feel like she truly understands the policies and the people most impacted by the actions of the legislature.

    1. I support those, just not with our tax dollars. Our state constitution doesn’t say anything about funding private education options.

      1. Many parents who home school their children pay a property tax. If I home school my children am I not still funding public education? To bad it doesn’t work both ways.

  6. South Dakota needs more support for it’s education system. We continue to fall behind against other states in the country, and I trust Scyller to to make the right choices. She went through South Dakotas education system herself, so she understands the ins and outs on a personal level.

  7. Kudos for taking a good, hard look at sensible changes to a very important issue. I have worked with Representative Borglum on a couple of legislative efforts and can tell you first hand, she is not your typical “politician”. She will do what she says she will do. Refreshing!

  8. South Dakota currently has a significant drug problem in our public schools. We stopped a lot of the drug education we pushed in schools, and now we are paying for it. When a child is offered heroin in the bathroom between classes the problem has gotten out of control. Our schools should be a safe zone from drugs.

    1. Mary, the Governor is funded by pharma, so her interest is making sure CBD oil is outlawed so pharma who makes opiods will remain in power. She is all about the War on drugs……just follow the money.

  9. The small schools need to consolidate and we should have fewer counties and way fewer fatcat administrators.

    1. Some small schools are independent by choice and others by necessity. For example, look at southeastern South Dakota. I know of several schools within 20 miles of each other that could be consolidated into one nice size school. Go west river and there are schools that are small, but 50 miles from any other school. Consolidating is not a real option for some of those.

  10. It seems like this Borglum lady hired a political consultant and now she’s making a lot of weird publicity moves. I guess I like to see accomplishment go ahead of ambition. Maybe she should meet with people without the fanfare, and then publicize her ideas when she has them. This is empty rhetoric.

    1. My Mother who was an English teacher would be correcting me if she was alive today. She was the best when it came to teaching.

  11. Anon at 9:51, have you bothered to read her credentials? Is it possible someone with two of each bachelors masters and a PHD could possibly come up with a plan on her own? She is probably the most intelligent person we have in the House, so perhaps we should see how she does with a few years worth of experience in politics.

  12. Mary, what’s your point? Oh yeah, like usual you don’t have one. Are you blaming a first term rep for changing anti drug programs in schools? Wow you are deluded!

    1. No I’m not. I really like Scyller. It’s nice to see her so involved. By the way, stop all the anger. I just think it’s sad drugs are thrown in the faces of our kids while attending school.

      1. Several commenters raise a smart point. Kids attend school to learn but can’t learn anything if unsafe. We must extricate illegal drugs and criminal gangs from SD’s schools, urban and rural. Let’s safeguard youngsters from the rising tide of threats: meth dealers, kidnappers, sex traffickers, murders. SJB is correct – quality education uplifts the broader community, empowering graduates to secure remunerative opportunities. Yet, that precept holds true ONLY so long as children are free to study, grow, and develop in safety — a perspective with which I’m confident Representative Borglum agrees.

        1. I absolutely agree with you! Education is huge on my list, but so is Public Safety which all of your listed concerns fall under. I absolutely agree that all of these things work hand-in-hand and it is a systemic issue that needs to be addressed. All of this feedback is so important and what I want to hear! Thank you!! SJB

  13. I’m confused… What are the policy details of the initiative? Or is this a plan to make a plan?

  14. I agree that this seems to be a big play for publicity. I’ve known many legislators who have gone about their business meeting with and listening to people and participating in summer studies without sending press releases out. The ones who send press releases out are usually the ones already eyeballing another office. You want to prove otherwise, then go serve really well and pursue rural education improvements without press releases and the people and press will notice. Until then, it looks mostly like politicking to me.

  15. There are no easy answers.

    Many smaller towns’ identity is their school; you’d be hard pressed to separate the two.

    Then…
    The small town was the place
    to sell livestock and crops
    get groceries,
    get repairs done,
    get supplies
    Visit the doctor
    Fill prescriptions
    Social events every week
    and send kids to school,

    Now…
    Fewer farmers are farming more acres.
    commodities are traded on-line
    groceries are ordered via the web and picked up at Wal-Mart
    repairs are done on-site by the dealer.
    supplies are ordered on line and delivered by drone
    doctors visits are now on line chat and video calls
    medicines are mailed to sent by UPS
    We stay at home watch Netflix or game on line
    kids are now taught on-line, even in school.

    Without some kind of industry to bring in fresh dollars, smaller towns will dry and blow away like tumbleweeds.

    What is happening with the schools is a symptom of a much larger, more complex problem.

  16. She reminds me of AOC….kind of a showhorse. Tended not to vote in line with the Republican platform. Seems intelligent, but she is a little high on the narcissistic scale for me. Jury is out on her. It’s probably a little early to employ someone like her to issue press releases on a regular basis.

  17. I partially agree with 12:49, except I wouldn’t compare OAC to SJB. The former is an idiot. SJB is very much the opposite. However I agree the jury is out due to her voting record.

    As a freshman, her voting record is best described as “mixed.” For example, on the three bills pertaining to transgender ideology, she voted with the Democrats on each one:

    she supported HB1243 to require gender identity and sexual orientation be included in anti-discrimination statutes;

    she opposed HB1108 to prohibit instruction in gender dysphoria to K-7th graders;

    and she opposed HB1225 to require the sole determinant of a student’s sexual identity for participation in high school activities is the sexual identity noted on the student’s certificate of birth.

    For her to be effective in accomplishing anything, including education reform, she will need to gain the trust of centrist and conservative republican legislators, not just those on the left edge of the party. In other words, she needs to begin to vote more consistently like a republican. Therefore, the jury is out.

    1. Some would argue that these issues shouldn’t even be the government’s concern. How is this a representation of “small” government?

  18. Scyller, some really intelligent thought here. Way out of line with the standard South Dakota Republican stupidity. It used to be Republicans were proud to think intelligently. But today – not so much. In fact the present ilk will attack anyone who has an intelligent idea. Oh how the party has degraded. It’s so sad to see.

Comments are closed.