Opinion

This article serves as a rebuttal to the article “Education Savings Accounts: Empowering Parents, Enhancing Education” recently written by Dr. Graves, South Dakota’s Secretary of Education. Instead of crafting an article lifting up the amazing work our public schools do every day, he penned an article that sounded more like a surrender note.

Public Education Funding in South Dakota Educational funding for public schools in South Dakota is governed by state law. Specifically, Section 13-13-10.1(5) of the South Dakota Codified Laws outlines how annual funding increases are determined: The “Index factor” is the annual percentage change in the consumer price index (CPI-W) for urban wage earners and clerical workers, as computed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Senator Mykala Voita District 21 Aurora, Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory, Tripp Counties Committee: Appropriations Capitol Address: 500 E. Capitol Ave.

elect Trump has called on me to serve, if confirmed, as the next Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. It’s a tremendous honor and a great responsibility. The mission is to keep the American people safe from threats to the Homeland.

Dear Editor, Lest this significant information gets lost with the change of federal administrations, it needs to be noted that the Biden Administration successfully passed legislation that greatly benefits our South Dakota rural communities. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a bill sponsored by Democrats in Congress and signed into law by President Biden in 2021, serves as a prime example of such legislation. Tripp County Water User District’s January 2025 edition of its Quality on Tap! newsletter (Vol. 20) verifies the beneficial impact of this bill. Its article entitled “ARPA Money Flows Through the State” points out that the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) “is distributing $105,010,958.00 in additional grants to support vital water infrastructure and conservation projects” that are being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Detailing the widereaching assistance being provided South Dakota rural areas, this article lists public work projects benefiting 30 water districts and 20 cities and sanitation districts in South Dakota. In addition to the fact that this is additional funding, the article also notes that American Rescue Plan money is funding three of Tripp County Water User District’s own water projects.

One of the reasons Christ and Christians alike were persecuted was because they were accused of promoting “other gods” or “strange gods”. This would be true if Christ wasn’t the Son of God. Had the Jews been familiar with their scriptures and believed them, they would know that only the LORD can open the eyes of the blind, heal the sick, make the lame walk, and raise the dead (Exodus 4:11, Psalm 146:8, Isaiah 29:18, Isaiah 35:5-6, Ezekiel 37:1-14).

M arriages Clay Edward Peck of Burke, SD, age 51, to Virginia Marie Dargatz of Burke, age 47, on December 31, 2024 in Burke, SD. Land Transfers QCD; Joseph N.

Commodity truck to be in Gregory in January The commodity truck will be at the Gregory Memorial Auditorium parking lot and community room on Thursday, January 16, 2025 and Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please bring your own boxes. Any questions, please call Marlene Rezac at (605) 831-9315. Date subject to change.

One driver was killed in a twovehicle crash nine miles north of Herrick, SD, on Saturday, January 11, 2025. The crash happened at 350th Avenue and 286th Street when the 40-year-old male from Herrick, driving a 2001 Ford F-250 pickup northbound on 350th Avenue near 286th Street, and the 59-year-old female from Fairfax, driving a 2007 Honda CR-V southbound on 350th Avenue met at the crest of a hill, where they collided.

Empowering Parents, Enhancing Education In her 2024 Budget Address, Governor Noem announced an educational innovation for the parents and students of South Dakota: Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs). She explained that this investment would pay for a portion of private school tuition or curriculum for alternative education for South Dakota kids.