PIERRE, S.D. — Although a majority of South Dakotans who commented opposed them, the South Dakota Board of Education Standards on Monday approved a controversial set of new social studies standards.
The seven-member Board of Education Standards voted 5-2 to implement the controversial standards after a fourth and final public hearing Monday in Pierre. Board members discussed the standards for the first time after hearing more passionate testimony from both proponents and opponents at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center in Pierre.
Board President Terry Nebelsick, who said he’s worked in public education across South Dakota, including 27 years in the Huron School District, opposed the standards.
The other board members are Rich Meyer, Phyllis Heineman, Linda Olsen, Steven Perkins, Julie Westra and Steve Willard. Voting in favor was Meyer, Heineman, Olsen, Westra and Perkins, while Nebelsick and Willard voted against.
Nebelsick said “There is no win-win in this process. The longer it’s gone on, it’s become obvious, it will be a lose-lose endeavor.”
Nebelsick called out Republican lawmakers who have disrespected teachers in South Dakota and said government interference could lead to more students hating social studies and other unintended consequences.
Shannon Malone, director of learning and instruction for the DOE, said there were 1,295 public comments breaking down as 121 in favor, 1,137 against and 37 neutral comments, as of April 14.
