PIERRE, SD – Schools across South Dakota are working on plans to return their staff and students to the classrooms next month.
Governor Kristi Noem says each district has to work through their local conditions. “I think every school district is making decisions based on what their environment looks like. They all have different buildings, different demographics, kids in different areas and what they are able to facilitate. I have indicated to all of them I would like to see our kids back in buildings and have teachers and administers be able to engage with them and get them back on course for learning.”
Noem says she will work with districts to meet their needs. “I’m going to give them the flexibility they need to do it in safe manner. Some school districts are looking at business as usual, some school districts are looking at smaller class sizes or alternating days. They all have different protocols put in place for a more rigorous cleaning schedule. We’re working with each and every one of them in a different way to make sure to facilitate what they need to reopen safely.”
President Trump had threatened to withhold federal funding from any district that didn’t bring students back to class. Noem says she doesn’t think that is a real possibility.
“They do get some federal funds for Special Ed and Title 1. So there is some federal funding that comes into schools but South Dakota is certainly not going to be in any issue with that in light of the fact we are anxious to get our kids back on line and back learning in school.”
Most districts have plans ranging from all students in class every day, to the option of using online learning as needed.
