An article was just posted this morning from the Dakota Scout which should be on everyone’s reading list, as it lays out the playing field for the big battle of the next legislative session, where $4 million is being proposed to go to those who seek to place their children in private schools, or to not provide a formal education at all, instead providing homeschool instruction. Why should it be of concern? Because of the open hostility being displayed by some towards teachers and administrators:
“As educators, we will never compromise our commitment to doing everything we can to educate every student who enters our school buildings and classrooms,” SDEA Public Affairs Director Sandra Waltman told The Dakota Scout, confirming that attempts to dialogue with the state and lawmakers working most closely with the Governor’s Office on the proposal have been unsuccessful. “That is why we need lawmakers to listen to our concerns about how voucher programs will hurt public schools and, more importantly, the students who attend them.”
and..
South Dakota House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach, who’s working closely with DOE to draft legislation for his colleagues to consider, dismissed the notion that public educators aren’t being consulted.
“They do have a seat at the table given all the lobbying they do during session, and I know their positions, so it wouldn’t be productive because they’re not willing to compromise,” the Spearfish Republican said.
Odenbach said that while work on a bill is still under way, it’s likely the proposal could call for incremental expansion – both in funding and eligibility – over a number of years.
Am I reading House Majority Leader Scott Odenbach being snippy with educators because they have associations that represent them in Pierre, and declaring that he won’t meet with teacher groups, “because he knows their positions, so it wouldn’t be productive because they’re not willing to compromise?”
How would he know what their position is if he won’t meet with them in the process of crafting the legislation? If Scott is leading the charge on a plan to gut and strip mine the public resources that would go to Spearfish High School for purposes of diverting them to private schools and homeschoolers, it would seem that as one of their representatives in Pierre he could make the time to sit down with teachers to hear their concerns, whether he agrees with them or not.
Which makes this headline kind of ironic..
It has been a number of years since South Dakota teachers got fired up to get involved in the political process en masse, but the attitudes displayed by those such as Rep. Odenbach in refusing to even hear the concerns of his educator constituents may rouse those groups to fight back.
I remember going to Pierre Football Games many years ago, and you could not get through a ticket line without a gaggle of teachers with clipboards looking for signatures on ballot petitions. Kicking a sleeping bear might not be in Scott’s best interest. They do know how to organize and fight.
This might be the opening salvos we’re hearing in the battle that will become 2026 Referred Law 22.
Public Ed lobby is getting exactly what they asked for by refusing to acknowledge the movement in public sentiment towards private and home schooling due to their policies on age inappropriate material and gender identity
What districts have had any of the issues you claim though? Surely you must have proof and not anecdotal crap from Facebook?
It’s this stance that proves why you weren’t re-elected. Everyone has a right to place their students in a school that they feel is appropriate. HOWEVER, we as citizens of South Dakota don’t have to pay for your choice. If you want to exit the public school system, go ahead. It’s at your expense. If you want money from the state, you will have to abide by the rules of the state. Simple as that!!
Of course we know where odenbach is on this. He’s not a consensus builder and I expect the house to be nothing but infighting amongst the conservatives over who is more virtuous.
The real watch is the leadership of Carl Perry in the senate. His smooth and understated style would have kept the house together and on task. Too bad he had to move over.
Good point Carl!
Someone’s tongue is firmly in cheek.
What Ted Kennedy was to the Democrats and being the lion of the United States Senate Senator Carl Perry will be the lion of our South Dakota state senate. His leadership will create a pathway.
Government hostility toward education is a given in SD.
For a party that extols local control and “less government” it certainly looks the opposite. The House will become exactly what Pat has stated, a race to see who is the most conservative while promoting garbage social/moral control bills. The SD Legislature has lost its way and we will be paying the price for the next 2 years. Focus on what matters to all of us, not dumb bills that cater to the ultra right wing of the party.
The Republican Party is no longer the party of neocons, it is a America First party. The constitution mattes, and the state is tasked with promoting Education, does not say anything about public or private.
We all have the option of school choice in South Dakota. We have free public education for everyone! If you wish to send children to private schools or home school that is the responsibility of the parents to pay. Public money public schools. Private money private schools.