Spearfish School Board opposes proposed education savings account, approves contracts and sets election date

The Spearfish School District 40-2 Board of Education on Jan. 13 adopted a resolution opposing the education savings account proposed for the 2025 South Dakota legislative session and approved several routine business items, including contracting and bid advertisement for high school facilities work and setting the annual school election date.

The board passed the resolution opposing the proposed education savings account (ESA), saying the board believes the program would divert taxpayer dollars to nonpublic schools and harm public education funding. The board also approved acceptance of the district's 2023-24 audit, authorized an agreement with Skyline Engineering LLC for rooftop air-handler work at Spearfish High School, approved advertising bids for a domestic hot water heater and air-handler replacement project, and set the annual school election for Tuesday, April 8, 2025, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Senior Citizen Center.

Votes at a glance - Resolution opposing proposed education savings account (2025 legislative session): motion passed by roll call; named board members recorded as voting yes included Allen, Fred, Eric, Nathan and Alicia. The board's written resolution described the ESA as a voucher-style program and urged legislators to oppose it. - Acceptance of audit report for year ended June 30, 2024: motion to approve and accept the audit report passed; the district's compliance audit and financial statement audit received unmodified (clean) opinions from the auditors. - Call for the annual school election (April 8, 2025): motion passed to set date, times and polling location; petitions available Jan. 31, 2025, filing deadline Feb. 28, 2025, 5 p.m. - Second reading and approval of amended/repealed policies and administrative regulations in the 6000 series: second reading approved as presented. - Agreement with Skyline Engineering LLC for Spearfish High School rooftop air-handler replacement project: agreement approved. - Advertisement for bids for the high school domestic hot water heater and rooftop air-handler replacement project: advertising approved; specifications expected around Feb. 1 if engineering work is complete. - Consent agenda (standard personnel, payments and routine items): approved. - Minutes and financial reports and bills: approved.

What the auditors reported District auditors reported an unmodified opinion on the June 30, 2024, financial statements and an unmodified opinion on federal compliance for programs that meet the Single Audit threshold. The auditors listed four findings: (1) financial statement preparation (the auditors prepared the statements on the district's behalf), (2) audit adjustments found during procedures, (3) an issue related to driver's education, and (4) a compliance finding concerning semiannual certifications. The auditors said the latter two findings were already addressed or in progress.

Why it matters The board's resolution opposing the ESA puts the district on record ahead of the 2025 state legislative session. Facility approvals and the bid advertisement move tangible high school maintenance and replacement work forward, and the election date establishes the timeline for board candidates planning to run this spring.

The board will consider remaining items and final votes at upcoming meetings.