The Education Financial Situation Is Uncertain

• Our district is at a disadvantage because the absence of State financial support places a higher burden on county taxpayers.
• This is not a time to take on additional expenses. The federal government (with congressional approval) is likely disbanding the Department of Education and this financial support is less clear and reliable. The Department of Education and other departments are stopping educational grants, and there will likely be a less than smooth transition to the State taking on these additional responsibilities. The State is contributing less financially to school districts. The 2025 legislature did not try to increase the proposed insufficient 1.25 percent increase to school districts. The school funding formula is under review by a legislative summer study group and may be changed. The state’s support to education is not keeping up with inflation. Staff benefits continue to be more costly.
• Our teachers are underpaid relative to other states and South Dakota’s target teacher compensation package. A pay increase should be a priority for the Board once the financial picture becomes more clear and predictable.

Other Positions

• As a board we should have high expectations for ourselves, staff and students. We all need to give our best effort.
• The quality of our schooling is serious business, but school should mostly be fun for students and teachers.
• Open, honest dialogue between parents, teachers, and students builds trust and leads to better decision-making.
• This is a time of transition for CSD and education in general. We have Dr. Tim Frederick beginning as the new Superintendent. As noted there are the staff reductions and likely dissolution of The US Department of Education.
• We are going through a period of time in which too many people are under attack and not treated respectfully. We need to treat our students, teachers and parents well.
• Parents rights have always been central to education. Parents have the right to choose the schooling their child attends. There is also the option to open enroll in the public school district, the church supported school or homeschooling of their choice.
• This is a time of fears on the part of parents and teachers. Parents want their children treated well at school. Parents are told to be fearful of their child being exposed to social indoctrination. School is not a place for indoctrination of students toward a certain ideology or gender identity. Related to this, teachers should not have to worry excessively about what they can say to students.
• Sometimes adults need to get out of the way of student’s learning.
• Public schools are underfunded. These funds should not be used for educational vouchers. If the State eventually approves a voucher system then the State has a right to some oversight in verifying the use of the voucher money and the student’s progress.
• Home schooling can certainly be done very well. CSD should be aware of the needs of Custer County home schoolers and provide some support to them. I support home schooled students having access to some classes and extracurricular activities at CSD.
• There should be separation of religion and school. For example, I am opposed to posting the Ten Commandments in our schools as proposed this legislative session. This would be a precedent that can lead to future complications, such as other religions wanting equal expression.
• We need to teach students to be critical thinkers. Students need to be given all sides of an issue, and form their own opinions. They should learn to consider different perspectives, seek evidence for what they conclude and question authority.
• School is an uncomfortable place for some students and they deserve our extra effort to make school a better place for them. I have an extra interest in students that are at risk of not graduating, have learning or social difficulties, or dislike school.
• People are diverse and we should find ways to educate students based on their uniqueness of learning and personality. We all want to be included and school should provide inclusion.
• Our schools should support students so that personal or family stressors interfere less with learning. Counseling services should expand beyond career and academic planning. Students also need to learn social, emotional regulation and coping skills as these are very related to being fully functioning and employable adults. Doing this does not necessarily have to result in additional staffing.
• We need to attract, hire and retain the best staff we can.
• The board is a team and one of my first goals will be to become a team player. We will have differing opinions but share a common goal of working toward keeping and improving our educational experience for students. The board should continue to seek input from teachers, parents and students to guide decision making.
• When we are searching for answers to questions it is important to see what the research and data on a certain subject can tell us to help guide our decision making.
• CSD has a shortage of substitute teachers. Perhaps we could recruit more retired people to share their knowledge with students.