HB 1239 exposes librarians to a class one misdemeanor charge. That’s punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. It poses a significant threat to our librarians and school employees by criminalizing their professional duties. The language in HB 1239 is alarmingly subjective and could lead to jailing dedicated librarians and other education professionals.

The proposed South Dakota State Library cuts will significantly harm local schools and communities' ability to provide essential reading resources and services to students and community members. Maintaining funding for the State Library supports the needs of students, teachers, and librarians but also invests in the future of our state.

The time to act is now. School vouchers divert tax dollars from public schools and send them to private schools that are not accountable to taxpayers and parents, and research shows they hurt students and local communities. Join the effort to stop these voucher schemes! Contact your legislators immediately to urge them to keep public dollars in public schools and vote no on vouchers.

More than 7 million students are enrolled in rural school districts. An additional 2.5 million students attend rural schools in districts that are not designated “rural” by the Census Bureau. This means that in all, nearly 1 in 5 students are enrolled in rural schools. That’s more students than are enrolled in our nation’s 100 largest school districts combined, according to the National Rural Education Association’s “Why Rural Matters 2023” report. But these students and their dedicated educators are often forced to make do with paltry resources. 

Students may not have up-to-date textbooks, and their school buildings, which serve as community gathering places, are often old and dilapidated. Their educators lack the resources to provide the broad curriculum and extracurricular activities—such as student clubs and athletic programs—that inspire students’ imagination and prepare them for the future. 

The bipartisan Secure Rural Schools Act of 2023 (S. 2581/H.R. 5030) will help provide funding for public schools, libraries, and other public services in rural areas, improving life for students and families.

Our students’ success relies on a great team of teachers, administrators, education support professionals, and specialized personnel committed to the growth of every student. 

But they can’t do it alone. Whether you’re a parent, student, or a member of our community, it’s on all of us to make sure our public schools and education professionals have the resources they need to create welcoming learning environments where all students can thrive. Together we can support elected officials who listen to educators, speak out for the freedom to learn, and talk to our friends and loved ones about how to protect and strengthen public schools in our communities. 

Together, we can create the great public schools our students deserve. 

Sign the pledge to show your support for the education professionals who ensure our students have what they need to succeed.