Governor Rhoden Signs Six Landmark Education Bills to Enhance Classroom Safety and Support Student Nutrition

Northeast Radio SD News – Aberdeen, SD - Governor Larry Rhoden visited Aberdeen on Friday to finalize a package of education legislation, signing six bills intended to improve classroom safety, expand student nutrition, and bolster special education funding across the state.

The Governor held a formal signing ceremony at Holgate Middle School to highlight the “Alternative Settings” bill, bringing the total to 234 bills signed into law this legislative Session.

Addressing Classroom Disruptions (HB 1017)

The primary focus of the Governor’s visit was HB 1017, which grants school boards new flexibility to remove students from traditional classrooms if their behavior is “aggressive, violent, or significantly disruptive.”

The law allows districts to transition these students to “alternative settings”—which can include different physical locations or specialized educational environments—to ensure a safe learning environment for the rest of the student body.

“This bill helps deliver a safe learning environment without continuous disruption, allowing teachers to teach all students,” Governor Rhoden said during the ceremony in Aberdeen. “In turn, this ensures students receive the instruction they need in a location that works best for them.”

Under the new law, parents must be notified in writing of such assignments and provided with a list of available training and resources. Furthermore, any placement exceeding five days requires a referral to a behavioral health specialist, with mandatory reviews every 14 days for long-term assignments.

Ending Reduced-Price Meal Charges (HB 1082)

In a significant move for student nutrition, HB 1082 effectively eliminates the cost of school breakfast and lunch for families who previously qualified for “reduced-price” meals.

Under federal guidelines, families making between 130% and 185% of the poverty level were required to pay roughly 30 to 40 cents per meal. This bill authorizes the State Department of Education to reimburse school districts for the remaining balance, ensuring these students now receive meals at no cost to their families. The program is expected to cost the state approximately $600,000 annually.

New Therapeutic Facility for Brown County (HB 1262)

Local students in the Northeast region will see a direct benefit from HB 1262, which appropriates $2 million for a non-residential, school-based therapeutic services facility in Brown County.

The grant will be awarded to a nonprofit with experience in integrated educational and therapeutic programs. The facility is intended to provide day services for students with complex needs without requiring residential or inpatient care. Because the bill included an “emergency” clause, the funding becomes available immediately.

Special Education and Workforce Support

The Governor also signed several bills targeting the administrative and financial health of the state’s school system:

·         Special Education Funding (SB 106): This law mandates that $5 million in state aid be set aside annually for “extraordinary expenses” incurred by districts providing high-cost special education programs, helping to shield local budgets from sudden, large-scale costs.

·         JAG-South Dakota (HB 1244): The state is doubling down on the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program with a $500,000 grant. The funds are intended to help at-risk students graduate and transition into the workforce or post-secondary education.

·         School Finance Accountability (HB 1249): This bill updates the School Finance Accountability Board’s process, allowing the board to waive certain financial penalties for school districts that face “special circumstances” regarding their cash fund balances or teacher compensation targets.

Governor Rhoden noted that, with these signatures, the 2026 legislative Session is nearing its conclusion, leaving only a handful of items on the state’s agenda.