Sioux Falls School Board opposes proposed school voucher program, cites accountability and equity concerns
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Summary
Sioux Falls School District 49-5 adopted a resolution opposing a proposed 2025 education savings account (voucher) proposal after a lengthy discussion that focused on accountability, impacts on rural districts and risks to students requiring special education services.
The Sioux Falls School District 49-5 Board of Education on Monday voted to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed education savings account commonly described as a school voucher program for the 2025 legislative session.
Board members cited concerns about accountability, potential harm to rural districts and the risk that publicly funded vouchers could leave students with special needs without services required under federal law. The resolution the board read into the record was sent by the Association of School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) in response to the proposed legislation.
"If we're gonna spend tax dollars to support either private parochial voucher or whatever, then there's got to be some accountability," Board member Mark said during the discussion. He also warned the plan would disproportionately harm rural South Dakota because families there have fewer options.
A separate board member reading prepared remarks said the district serves a diverse population and warned vouchers could divert funding and services. "In the Sioux Falls school district 44.6 percent of students represent diverse backgrounds, 46.7% qualify for free or reduced meals, 16.2% are served through special education programs and over 3,000 students speak one of 106 languages," the board member said. The prepared remarks argued private schools receiving voucher funds are not required to serve these populations equitably or at all.
Another board member invoked historical and constitutional context, citing early uses of vouchers after Brown v. Board of Education and quoting Article 8 of the South Dakota Constitution on the state's duty to maintain a "uniform system of free public schools," to argue that diverting public dollars undermines the public school system.
Speakers also raised practical concerns such as transportation barriers, the limited reach of a proposed $3,000-per-student credit for families whose private-school tuition can exceed $10,000, and repeated student movement in and out of public schools that complicates learning continuity and teacher planning.
After discussion, a motion to acknowledge and adopt the resolution was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript provided.
The board encouraged residents to educate themselves and contact legislators ahead of the 2025 session; the transcript records multiple speakers urging public engagement and outreach to state lawmakers.
The board then moved on to other business and later entered executive session.
