Southeast Tech summarizes budget impacts, dual‑credit change and new campus concealed‑carry rule

Southeast Technical College leadership told the board the recently concluded state legislative session produced mixed results for the college's budget and policy environment, including a per‑student funding increase, an ongoing reduction to maintenance and repair funding, changes to dual‑credit cost sharing and a new concealed‑carry statute that will take effect July 1.

Dr. Klosman, who delivered the legislative briefing, said the state approved an estimated 1.25 percent increase in the college's per‑student allocation, a modest amount that the college estimates will raise roughly $140,000 assuming flat enrollment. "This is an estimated increase for us from about 140,000," he told the board. He noted enrollment this year rose about 4 percent, which could increase the total funding the college receives.

Klosman said the Legislature approved a 45 percent reduction in the college's ongoing maintenance and repair (M&R) appropriation, following the governor's recommendation. The cut equates to about $271,000 on an ongoing basis; because some one‑time funds were included for the coming year, the college expects the effective reduction in the next fiscal year to be about $60,000, with the larger cut taking effect if no permanent change is made in subsequent budgets.

On dual credit, Klosman said lawmakers altered the state contribution formula. Previously the state paid two‑thirds of dual‑credit costs and students paid one‑third; the Legislature shifted to a 50/50 split for the coming year, increasing the students' share. "So it will be a $50/50 payment coming forward for next year," he said, and the college said it will monitor which students are most affected by the change.

Klosman said one notable win was a technical‑college‑system allocation of $4 million in one‑time funding for equipment; Southeast Tech's share is about $1.2 million. The college intends to match state equipment funds with local contributions consistent with prior practice.

Klosman also briefed the board on Senate Bill 100 (referred to in the meeting as SP 100), a concealed‑carry measure that limits the ability of regents and technical education boards to restrict certain concealed weapons on campus. The law, effective July 1, prevents institutions from requiring an "enhanced" permit as the sole condition for carrying a concealed pistol on campus and also covers items such as stun guns, mace and other chemical irritants. Klosman said technical colleges will coordinate common policy language and communications with legal counsel ahead of the law's effective date; the colleges will be able to designate exceptions for rooms with flammable materials.

Board members discussed the law, asked clarifying questions about the enhanced permit and about whether the bill covers campus housing. Jim (identified only by first name in the transcript) explained that South Dakota now issues a de facto concealed‑carry authorization tied to a driver's license or state ID and that an enhanced permit requires additional regulated training; enhanced permits are generally for those 21 and older, with a restricted enhanced option for 18‑to‑20‑year‑olds. Klosman said the colleges will work with legal counsel and the Board of Technical Education to develop consistent campus policies and communication plans before July 1.

The board passed a motion to acknowledge the legislative update.