What You Need to Know about Vouchers

THE SOUTH DAKOTA PUBLIC SCHOOLS COALITION

FACTS ON VOUCHERS

·   Undermine Public Education:

Vouchers divert funding away from public schools as all proposed funding comes from the same state budget. Strong communities are rooted in strong public schools that serve all students.

·   Lack of Accountability:

Private schools and/or students instructed through alternative instruction “home-school” receiving voucher funds have no public accountability compared to public schools. This accountability includes both fiscal and academic public reporting and accountability boards.

·       Segregation Concerns:

Voucher programs (savings accounts) are not available to all students, potentially leaving behind students from disadvantaged backgrounds in underfunded public schools. 

·   Ineffective for Student Achievement:

Research shows mixed results on the impact of vouchers on student academic performance, with many studies finding no significant improvement or even a decline in achievement for voucher recipients.  (Economic Policy Institute Research, Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio as an example)

·   Special Needs Concerns:

Private schools may not be adequately equipped to support students with special needs, or refuse to accept them, leaving them with limited options if they choose to use a voucher. 

·   Religious Concerns:

Voucher programs such as the South Dakota Tax Credit program divert funds away from public schools while providing scholarship dollars to religious schools, raising concerns about separation of church and state.  (Vouchers typically lead to increased tuition at private schools)

Please stay informed about the about the programs Governor Noem is trying to pass through that will take $4 million dollars from public education in 2025 alone!  Historical data from states who have implented a voucher program shows that those states continue to bear a heavier financial burden for vouchers each year. South Dakota taxpayers and students cannot afford to go down this path.

School Boards Make a Difference

School board members are ordinary people who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to our public schools. January marks School Board Recognition Month and is the perfect time we thank our school board members for their untiring efforts.

Too often we forget about the personal sacrifices school board members routinely make. Too often we forget about the important role school board members play in assuring local control over our public schools, control that is in the hands of people we know ... people who are our neighbors. Too often we forget that, in the tradition of a representative democracy, school board members are our connection to influencing how our public schools are governed. Too often we are quick to criticize school board members without really knowing all the details that went into any given decision. Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized and unrewarded.

This month we take a moment to recognize the value of their work to our students and our communities. This is a time to show our appreciation and to begin to better understand how school board members work together to provide leadership for our schools.

The school board works closely with parents, education professionals and community members to create the educational vision we want for our students. It then formulates goals, defines results and sets the course for an adequate and equitable educational program for all students. The school board is accountable to the public. It is responsible for assuring the public that the money allocated to the public schools is providing a good return on the investment. Thus, the board oversees regular assessment of the district’s students, staff and programs. The school board also is a strong advocate for public schools and is responsible for communicating the needs of the school district to the public and the public’s expectations to the district.

In January, join with others from throughout our district and state to salute the board members who provide grassroots governance of public schools. Make a special effort to tell each school board member his or her hard work has been noticed and is very much appreciated.

THANK YOU, Oldham-Ramona-Rutland School Board Members!

Lance Hageman, President

Lori Hyland, Vice-President

Carrie Schiernbeck

Jessica Anderson

Brooke Albertson

Why is it important to celebrate Martin Luther King Day?

Martin Luther King Jr. dedicated his life to championing the rights and dignity of every individual, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire us to pursue justice and equality for all. Honoring his memory and principles on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day reminds us of the importance of building a future that upholds fairness, compassion, and opportunity for all.

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

Dr. King’s words remind us of the profound impact education has on shaping minds and building character. Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and reflecting on the messages he worked so painstakingly to impart to the masses also provides us with the opportunity to embrace the ideals and goals Dr. King believed to be so imperative. Reflecting on his words above motivates me to once again express my gratitude to the ORR staff for the incredible effort, care, and passion they invest in fostering an environment where our students can grow intellectually while developing important character traits. Through the hard work of our staff, our students learn to think deeply, critically, and with integrity—key traits that will guide them toward bright futures and opportunities for making meaningful contributions to our communities.

This dedication represents the very essence of what Dr. King described as the “goal of true education.”  Please take time to send a thank you to our staff for their unwavering commitment to this important mission!

As we move through the heart of winter, our district has seen a significant rise in illnesses, including influenza and strep throat. When students and staff are out sick, it not only impacts their well-being but also affects learning and school operations. Keeping our school community healthy is a team effort, and we appreciate your help in preventing the spread of illness.

Here are some key reminders and tips to support the health and well-being of our students and staff:

• Stay Home When Sick – If your child has a fever of 100°F or higher, has been vomiting, or has diarrhea, please keep them home until they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without medication. This helps prevent the spread of illness to others.

• Practice Good Hand Hygiene – Encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially before meals and after coughing or sneezing. Hand sanitizer is a good alternative when soap isn't available.

• Cover Coughs and Sneezes – Remind your child to use a tissue or their elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent germs from spreading.

• Stay Hydrated and Eat Well – A balanced diet and plenty of fluids help boost the immune system and keep students feeling their best.

• Get Plenty of Rest – A good night’s sleep is essential for a strong immune system. Make sure your child is getting enough rest each night.

• Consider Vaccinations – Flu shots and other recommended vaccines can help protect against serious illness.

This semester, SDSU nursing students were at the Rutland school for 3 days – the first day was to identify potential learning needs for secondary students and the other 2 were to deliver health teaching.  After talking with and surveying both the students and the teachers, 2 themes really stood out above the others – mental health and CPR/first aid.  The nursing students decided to teach on both of these topics to ORR students.   SDSU nursing students created 2 health fairs that the ORR students went through – the first with an emphasis on improving mental health and the second on emergency first aid and bystander CPR. 

The health fair on mental health had 4 stations to give the students ideas and methods for reducing stress and improving mental health.  The 4 stations were: yoga and meditative breathing, arts (coloring), journalling and goal setting,  and reframing negative thoughts (cognitive training).   The nursing students went to local businesses in Brookings and with donations from HyVee, The United Way, and a couple other buisinesses, they were able to give each ORR middle and high school student a composition notebook and pen to use for journaling, sketching, or creating writing to decrease stress.

The second health fair on bystander CPR and first aid had 3 stations.   They were:  Compression only CPR, Emergent wound care (laceration packing and tourniquet application), and breathing interventions (Heimlich maneuver and epi pen administration).  

For both of the health fairs, the ORR students were very engaged and participated in all the activities; nursing students were very thankful for their positive attitudes! ORR will continue partnering with the SDSU school of nursing to continue providing similar collaborative opportunities!