Recent meetings of South Dakota’s Blue Ribbon Task Force has come under scrutiny by some South Dakota Legislators for not allowing them to have a voice in the process of addressing teacher shortage and teacher pay in the state. An e-mail sent out late last week to all South Dakota legislators stated that “as legislators you are invited to come to these sessions and observe and listen to the input. We are using a very participative method, and ask that legislators not be part of the group – but observers and supporters of the work.” That e-mail did not sit well with Representative Elizabeth May of Kyle. May says that the current Blue Ribbon Task Force approach will not allow them to get to the root of the problem…
May added that she does know how anyone can discuss education funding without discussing the Common Core assessments and federal mandates for which the South Dakota Department of Education has become the enforcer. The e-mail was sent out one day before May was planning on going to Rapid City’s task force meeting to voice her opinion on teacher pay and shortage. She decided not to attend the meeting because she knew her voice would not be heard.
The e-mail was sent out on behalf of Blue Ribbon Task Force co-chairs Senator Deb Soholt & Representative Jacque Sly. Sly, of Rapid City, says that all the Legislators will get their opportunity to voice their concerns in the future…
The Blue Ribbon Task Force, which was created by Governor Dennis Daugaard, will reevaluate South Dakota’s current funding formula, collect and analyze data, engage with stakeholders, and seek public input. The task-force will then make recommendations to the 2016 State Legislature for reform.