South Dakota approved for ‘Returning Education to the States’ waiver

South Dakota approved for ‘Returning Education to the States’ waiver

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) -Governor Larry Rhoden and both the federal and state Departments of Education announced on Friday that federal education dollars sent to the state will come with fewer regulations and more local control.

The initiative is called the “Returning Education to the States” waiver. Washington offered it, South Dakota applied, and is now the sixth state to receive the waiver, according to US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

“What is so terrific with this waiver that we’ve granted to South Dakota, it is to get rid of the bureaucracy here in Washington, the Department of Education. These are some of the first steps in order to do that,” said McMahon.

Several federal revenue streams will be consolidated into one and then forwarded to the state.

“Then the governor, the Secretary of Education, and whether it’s the State Board of Education or whoever is involved, will decide on the state level how to best spend that money because they know where the needs are better than DC does,” said McMahon.

The funding totals $19 million per year, about ten percent of South Dakota’s annual education budget.

“The waiver runs for four years,” said McMahon. “But each October, the state must submit a report to the US Department of Education showing progress and how the money was spent.”

State leaders are calling it a win for South Dakota students.

“Government works best when it is closest to the people. These waivers are another step in the right direction to returning education to the states,” said Governor Larry Rhoden.

South Dakota Secretary of Education Joseph Graves called the waiver a “groundbreaking advancement” for education in the state.

“This waiver allows flexibility in how school districts can best use their federal funds to meet the needs of their students,” said Graves.

Asked whether it could lead to higher teacher pay, McMahon said states already control staffing and pay decisions.

The waiver begins this school year.

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