Watertown School Board Braces for Final State Aid Numbers as Legislative Session Wraps

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - With the 2026 South Dakota legislative session entering its final days, Watertown School District officials are keeping a close watch on Pierre, waiting for a final determination on state aid that will shape the district’s budget for the coming year.

In a legislative update delivered during Monday night’s school board meeting, Lake Area Technical College President Tiffany Sanderson informed the board that while several key funding bills remain in play, a clearer picture of the Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget should emerge by the end of this week.

The 1% Tug-of-War

The primary focus for school districts statewide is the annual increase in state aid to general education. Governor Larry Rhoden has proposed a 1% increase, though some legislators have discussed a slightly higher rate.

“The governor, as you know, has proposed a 1% increase,” Sanderson noted. “There are some legislators discussing a little bit higher rate than that, so hopefully by the end of the week, we’ve got a really clear picture on that, and we can finalize our proposals for the FY27 budget.”

As of Monday evening, the Joint Committee on Appropriations was scheduled to set the Board of Technical Education’s budget either late Monday night or Tuesday morning.

Technical Education: Wins and Losses

The update highlighted a mixed bag of results for Lake Area Technical College (LATC). While advocacy for technical education remains high, a major funding bill for campus expansion hit a roadblock.

House Bill 1202, which sought a one-time appropriation for a new Trade Center at LATC, died on the House floor last Monday. The bill fell just short of the required two-thirds majority vote. The Trade Center was intended to house three new programs:

·         HVAC

·         Industrial Refrigeration

·         Water Treatment

Despite the legislative setback, Sanderson emphasized that the need for these programs remains critical. “Just because the appropriation bill died does not mean the need in workforce has died,” she said. The college plans to pivot toward increased private fundraising and industry partnerships to bring the center to life.

Remaining “One-Time” Opportunities

The district is still holding out hope for other “one-time” funding boosts as the legislature finalizes the general budget. These include:

·         Equipment Funding: A proposal for one-time dollars for equipment throughout the technical college system.

·         Maintenance and Repair: A request for one-time funds to address maintenance needs.

Sanderson took a moment to credit local representatives for their advocacy during a challenging session. “I want to give a shoutout to Senator Vilhauer and Representative Roby,” Sanderson said. “They were the prime sponsors on House Bill 1202 and have done so much, not just for Lake Area Tech, but the entire system across the state throughout this legislative session.”