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Spearfish School Board adopts resolution opposing proposed education savings accounts (school vouchers) for 2025 legislative session
Summary
The board unanimously approved a resolution opposing the proposed education savings account (ESA) legislation for the 2025 South Dakota legislative session, citing concerns about funding, accountability and impacts on public schools.
The Spearfish School District 40-2 School Board voted Jan. 13 to adopt a resolution opposing the education savings account (ESA) proposal under consideration in the 2025 South Dakota legislative session.
The board read a multi-paragraph resolution that described ESAs as effectively a school voucher program and warned the proposal could divert public dollars to nonpublic schools or homeschooling without the accountability public schools face. The resolution cited concerns about the state budget, noting the district's view that available increases in state aid are already below inflation and that introducing an ongoing ESA funding mechanism could worsen budgetary constraints or reduce funding for public education over time.
Board members moved and seconded the resolution and approved it by roll call. During the roll call the board recorded affirmative votes; the board president announced the resolution had passed.
The resolution calls on state legislators to oppose the proposed ESA program for the 2025 session. The board did not record further direction to district staff beyond adoption of the resolution during the meeting.
The full text of the resolution was read on the record and will be part of the district minutes; the board president concluded the item by noting the resolution had passed.
