[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6604621,"mediaKeyId","2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc","parentId",2987500,"title","Resident urges district to require Orwell, raises concerns about inclusivity policies","audioSeconds",292,"startMs",1392000,"endMs",1684000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc&start=1392&end=1684","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc/thumbnail_1392000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6604621/South-Dakota/Resident-urges-district-to-require-Orwell-raises-concerns-about-inclusivity-policies","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604621-b10455f2ad97a5c048da0dd7776bed8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180851&Signature=ildGygIV~fxMXTx~BSNFgEJBW3NSPDM2nTi7jOPeSW2UJfKCSwY10bWLxjSDww~p4kgxAaF7nWhO203A7WE4kI6mkY6QSdYEEoczzVFxiwG-dYOPTE6bmWRkq0YgDBSFNeOffavEoAfc-cSptQjMEXfgiWYgqEFfbfoNMNFN2Jo32UPAh7suw1vonxZEIjh3gu6BT2SW~60Uzq-nr4pL1A7jof2mTImmS3V0nosS4Yc2ZyiOeOpX34~MusdkR0YjagikhcDffWhDsD9l5nr8OSOqzIHS2KF9YN7J3bSIwxcIxDQa4EtSgWT-cIgQW8SGql-ZJg~xNh2VKBA8ZdBrlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Sioux Falls School District","date","2025-04-14T23:21:00.337Z","article","A Sioux Falls resident used the board's public-comment period on April 14 to call for a district reading requirement and to criticize local and national applications of \"inclusivity.\" Chad Bishop, introduced by the board as a resident of 7405 South Valencia Drive, asked the board to make George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm required reading for juniors and seniors.

Bishop framed his remarks around the word \"inclusivity,\" saying it \"has been used in ways that are both deceptive and dangerous.\" He cited incidents in Deerfield, Illinois, and Loudoun County, Virginia, and argued those examples show policy failures. Bishop said, \"If your policy results in the fear or humiliation or violation of even 1 girl then it's not inclusive, it's abusive.\" He also told the board, \"I have 3 daughters that I have entrusted to the Sioux Falls school district,\" and described more than a decade of volunteer service in district schools.

Bishop referenced state action, saying, \"Perhaps that's why the legislature felt the need to step in and pass HB 1259 this past session and why the governor signed it into law.\" The remarks were presented during the public-comment portion of the meeting; the board did not take formal action on Bishop's requests during the meeting.

The board then continued with its agenda and proceeded to the consent and business items. Bishop's comments were recorded on the public record and will be included in the minutes for the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting 4-14-25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident asked the board to require George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm for upperclassmen and delivered a lengthy public comment criticizing how \"inclusivity\" is applied and referencing HB 1259.","taxTitle","Sioux Falls School District 49-5, School Districts, South Dakota","taxId",12940,"location","South Dakota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6604626,"Sioux Falls School Board approves 2026-27 student calendar",246,1754000,2000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc&start=1754&end=2000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","/articles/6604626/South-Dakota/Sioux-Falls-School-Board-approves-2026-27-student-calendar","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604626-6142b567438978b9931cc32283e07998/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180851&Signature=l0zFl8JTlAcmiItCZ7nuVkfM99qxDb1J~JsbTEbm5pX6hADhSDmsEYp3S7WtNTgY4VVCBPsO6mN7eku3DAFeO6~-4qwiDxzYm55xUTnhs2mDVQDwHoutE5saftvGNaEeUgU5SamWwjsuuZM7ge2IvnDhMnwrj3nKlBA5xBhqnu-EO6MKF4Oqrbmws62GKFC0DMkd4yNnKs6Y-rZ8j0WSQ6i80uyFq~8YsEcglNotIB3GS6IvyJwP7mTXPoNIwW0-0CPNr6I66q5eUcT2WAPkYI4fziWxNyxeywNOEUqKOkORB5LpJZnW743jxc2g9jIkvQErgO595GsdodFR1cu0dA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Sioux Falls School District 49-5 Board of Education approved the district's 2026-27 student calendar during its April 14 meeting, ratifying a calendar recommended unanimously by the district calendar committee.

Todd (district staff presenting the calendar) told the board the calendar committee \"did vote 25 to 0, to approve this calendar and to move it forward to the school board for ratification.\" The committee, which the presenter said includes roughly 30 people with parent representatives, bargaining-group representatives and two school board members, recommended an August 27 first student day and a last student day of May 26, 2027.

Key committee recommendations adopted by the board include no student attendance on Native American Day and Martin Luther King Jr. Day; a compensatory teacher conference day on April 19 to replace a March date; a March 1 full-day in-service allowing elementary parent-teacher conferences in the afternoon and evening; and an early dismissal on Dec. 23 for the holiday break. The presenter summarized: \"August 27 would be that first student day... May 23 is graduation and then the last student day is May 26.\"

Board members said the multi-stakeholder committee process helps the community plan and the district will post the adopted calendar and supporting board report on the district website after final approval. The board approved the calendar by voice vote during the meeting.

The calendar adoption was part of the consented business agenda and required no additional public hearing. District staff said they plan to publish 2026 and 2027 calendars together later this year so families can plan two years in advance.","Board adopted the 2026-27 school calendar after a committee recommendation; key dates include Aug. 27 start, no school on Native American Day and MLK Day, and May 26 last student day.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6604630,"Lehi Credit Union donates to district effort; eight special-education staff honored",229,736000,965000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc&start=736&end=965","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2987500-08f592402d76e3e04b90348a832596cc/thumbnail_736000.jpg","/articles/6604630/South-Dakota/Lehi-Credit-Union-donates-to-district-effort-eight-special-education-staff-honored","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6604630-9dbeb7c08000455df2c86b69344c5a29/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180851&Signature=WI4xvIT8ouq3qpRIxvPqeYUeHt74BHDo-Ce6Pw0dXyNawBD7-Xi1mEdrjwhKqFhw~e97tMsMOMCY-X8pmClag9BVIObB2J9F6VBexgoC2YwVGcaDOYKsJ1Z1agFxTlYJU39WS-x0olYBu9iT6npU6zucgxfhuLXxjqlJBZr~bjos7QdUFuBowh8UpkrSyGXAxbFlvDlEx7mEFqBVAvvzl7gtkC960aUGgMO7V2w7gR4qdrzVAPiitasKNPH9K97JfWXg5i1~N08viZsciuApyADnn1VtNL9HNmgbMq16V0ikOLx2yj7VEO7SODmNV-Yd~ZfDnfbeGHJC-5W9gOmaog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lehi Credit Union presented a community fundraising donation to Sioux Falls School District 49-5 on April 14 as part of its Operation Hope and Caring partnership, and the district used its good-news segment to recognize eight special-education staff nominated by families.

The presentation highlighted a multi-organizational effort that includes Lehi Credit Union, Air Madness Trampoline Park and KELOLAND TV. Fran Sommerfeld, identified in the meeting as president and CEO of Lehi Credit Union, said, \"On behalf of Lehi Credit Union and our over 36,000 members, we're just so grateful to be able to partner with the school district to try and level that playing field for those kids that need it.\" The presenter announced a total raised of $127,800 to date for the program.

The district also used the good-news segment to recognize staff nominated through the Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs process. Denise Kennedy, senior director of special education services, said the national program received 60 nominations this year, eight of which came from Sioux Falls. Kennedy called the nominees forward and named: Amanda Bork Hickey (special education teacher, John Harris Elementary), Bruce Albers Bridal (school psychologist, Roosevelt High School), Sonya Sotomayor (Elementary — transcript listing), Carol Veil (early childhood special education), Laura B. Anderson, Elise Claire and Beak (special education teacher, Axtell Park High School — transcript listing), Grant Dunbar (special education teacher, Axtell Park), Jolene Keckler (school psychologist, Whittier/John Harris), Kirsten Beeland (special education teacher, Robert Frost Elementary) and Mary Lawrence Thompson (speech-language pathologist, Washington High School and Hawthorne Elementary). Kennedy said, \"This year, the department received 60 nominations,\" and invited the board to congratulate the nominees.

Board members and district leaders emphasized the value of community partnerships and the work of special-education staff. One board member said the business partners are \"rock stars\" for meeting needs such as field trips, winter gear and school supplies. The Lehi Credit Union presentation included a check-presentation moment and public thanks from the district.

The recognition and donation took place during the board's opening good-news segment and preceded the business agenda.

Looking ahead, the district said it will continue to post partnership and recognition items on the district website and thanked community partners for supporting Title I and other schools.","Lehi Credit Union presented funds raised through Operation Hope and Caring; the district honored eight special-education staff nominated by families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resident urges district to require Orwell, raises concerns about inclusivity policies

Sioux Falls School Board approves 2026-27 student calendar

Lehi Credit Union donates to district effort; eight special-education staff honored