LA SCHOOL BOARD OPPOSES IM 28

    The Langford Area Board of Education met for their regular meeting last Tuesday. They took action to join the Associated School Boards of South Dakota (ASBSD) in opposing Initiated Measure 28.
    ASBSD’s Board of Directors recently voted to join the coalition in opposition of IM 28, which proposes the elimination of sales tax on items for “human consumption” and will be on the General Election ballot in November. According to the organization’s website, “The Board made the decision to oppose the measure based on the significant negative impacts on public education funding the measure’s passage would surely result in with the estimated total reduction in state revenues between $133.6 and $646.2 million.”
    The resolution approved by the LA Board reads in part, “If IM 28 passes it may lead to significant cuts to the state budget, which provides the state’s share to state aid for public education…South Dakota public schools received more than $700 million in state aid for fiscal year 2025, which is significantly funded through state revenue collection …it is clear, passage of IM 28 would have a significant, negative fiscal impact on public school funding.”
    In other business, the board approved a contribution for school legal counsel Rodney Freeman to attend the 2025 National Education Law Meeting. Krissa Samson was chosen as a delegate assembly representative to receive updates during the legislative session and work with ASBSD. The group approved switching investments to ICS Sweep with Dacotah Bank. 
    In his report, Superintendent Shad Storley talked about the possible purchase or construction of a ramp for the stage and noted parent-teacher conferences were changed due to football playoffs. 
    The next board meeting will be Nov. 11 at 7 a.m.