Letter: Does local board make its policies?

To the Editor:

The process where large schools can take from schools got a fair discussion in The Daily Republic (this week) but you had to go to page 12 to find out about it.

It was written that “Superintendents from large districts such as Mitchell … spoke in favor of the legislation.” Lobbyist Dick Tieszen, representing the Sioux Falls District joined the smaller schools in opposing it.

Did Mitchell Superintendent Joe Graves testify at Pierre before the Senate Education Committee in favor of that bill? Has the Mitchell school board by official action authorized Graves to take such a position? It is time for the board members to start speaking out on these issues.

Does Mitchell need to take funds from Mount Vernon, Ethan, White Lake, Plankinton and other affected school districts? When the House passed this bill was it discussed in a careful manner? It seems the South Dakota Senate perhaps will take a final action on this bill that Education Secretary Tom Oster said would double the penalty on small schools.

Sen. Mike Vehle said “I think we need to have folks who are knowledgeable on commissions and boards” in a discussion of another matter. I hope Sen. Vehle applies the same good logic to this bad bill passed by the House and which now needs extermination in the Senate.

Perhaps the president of the Mitchell school board can explain the board’s position, or will he have to ask Graves? Does the Mitchell school board establish policy as required by law or does it just follow?

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion