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Dell Rapids Students Win Awards

March 17, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Several Dell Rapids High School students received awards or accolades during the first half of the month of March.

Amanda Tomes and Bergan Weiland both were recognized by NCWIT. Tomes won an NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing for the North and South Dakota Region. Weiland was an honorable mention for the same award.

Samantha Verver recently placed third in the Paul Witherington Prose Contest at South Dakota State University for her short story entry, “Phoenix & Grace”.

Evan Schmidt is a finalist in the South Dakota Student Journalist of the Year competition. The South Dakota High School Activities Association will announce the specific awards at a convention on March 28th.

Casey Machmiller placed 1oth and Kyle Steineke placed 16th in the FFA Ag Mechanics Career Development Event recently held in Watertown. The Ag Machanics team finished fourth with the other two members being Kenyon Shellum and Riley Anderson.

St Mary Student Wins Essay Competition

March 15, 2018 by Submitted

Payton Park’s winning essay aims to help a leading nonprofit fulfill its mission through sound financial management, placing him first in the state of South Dakota for high school students

Spearfish, South Dakota March 15, 2018 – Many teens enjoy raising funds for nonprofit organizations, but 16-year old Payton Park wants to manage those funds! This exceptional sophomore from St. Mary’s High School in Dell Rapids, South Dakota channeled his inner financial advisor to create an investment plan for the World Food Program and become the South Dakota first-place winner of SIFMA (Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association) Foundation’s Fall 2017 InvestWrite^® competition. Park’s remarkable essay on how to help a nonprofit organization manage its assets for maximum short- and long-term sustainability has positioned him at the top of thousands of students competing nationwide. Should he ever wish to manage his own nonprofit organization, Park has the financials figured out!

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, the SIFMA Foundation’s acclaimed national financial capability programs engage 600,000 students and 15,000 educators annually with proven impacts in raising students’ math, economics and personal finance test scores and, through InvestWrite, their language arts and writing skills. The 4^th-12^th graders nationwide who compete each year are reinforcing what they have learned in The Stock Market Game^™ an online simulation of the global capital markets that reinforces STEM learning, 21^st Century skills, economics, investing and personal finance. Through InvestWrite, students are, in fact, building on what they have learned through their participation in The Stock Market Game, which has reached more than 17 million students since its inception in 1977.

InvestWrite enables students to develop the personal financial savvy needed to make practical financial decisions with confidence and gain a deeper understanding of economic opportunities, consequences, and benefits. Students consider real-world events and news, conduct research online, and develop investment recommendations. They work in groups during The Stock Market Game program and then write their InvestWrite essays individually to reflect their critical thinking, analysis and creative talents.

“SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game and InvestWrite are transformative programs that prepare students for college, career and life while teaching them about the capital markets and investing,” said Melanie Mortimer, President of the SIFMA Foundation. “Our students do measurably better on math, economics and personal finance tests. They also learn to work in teams, manage change, understand the impact of global economic activity, and become smart consumers ready for financial independence.”

Since InvestWrite was introduced in 2004, more than 215,000 students have submitted essays. Payton Park is among the 20,000 participants each year in InvestWrite, which bridges classroom learning in mathematics, social studies, and language arts with the practical research and knowledge required for long-term personal financial planning.

An independent, double-blind, nationally randomized evaluation conducted by Learning Point Associates (now AIR) found that The Stock Market Game improves students’ academic achievement and personal financial behavior. Students who participated in the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game scored significantly higher on mathematics and financial literacy tests than their peers who did not participate. They also found that teachers who taught The Stock Market Game reported that the program motivated them to better plan for their own financial futures. The Stock Market Game has been named the only program that successfully increased scores on the Jumpstart Coalition’s test of high school students’ financial literacy.

The Stock Market Game and InvestWrite are offered in South Dakota through the Center for Economic Education at Black Hills State University. “We honor and congratulate our InvestWrite winning student, Payton Park and his teacher, Amanda Geraets” said Donald Altmyer, Center Director & South Dakota Stock Market Game Coordinator. “Helping South Dakota students better understand our economy, our markets, the role of investors, and how to make good investments will pay dividends for the students, their education, and the South Dakota economy.”

The South Dakota Stock Market Game is sponsored by the Black Hills State University Center for Economic Education, the Securities Industry Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the South Dakota Council on Economic Education. For more information on the program or the webinars, contact Professor Don Altmyer, SDSMG Coordinator at donaltmyer@BHSU.edu or 605-642-6266.

Quiz Bowl and Vocal Ensembles Shine for Dell Rapids

March 13, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Members of the Dell Rapids High School choir participated in a solo and ensemble contest held at Augustana University on Monday, March 12th. Ten students made the trip to Sioux Falls, and those ten students performed in eight events.

The quartet of Kat Fletcher, Abby Stauffenecker, Jay Holm, and Mitchell Heinemann earned an excellent rating. Alec Saxon and Heinemann earned a superior rating for their duet. More impressive is the fact that Saxon was working on the duet with another student prior to the contest, but that student caught the flu and couldn’t perform. Heinemann sight-sang the piece with Saxon. Fletcher and Mercedes Lodmell earned a superior for their duet. Chloe Fischer and Anna Symens earned an excellent rating for their duet. Stauffenecker and Allison Hegg earned a superior in duet. Lodmell earned a superior for her solo. Peyton Gleason also earned a superior for his solo. Stauffenecker earned an excellent on her solo performance.

The Dell Rapids Quiz Bowl Team One earned a second place finish at the Dak XII Conference quiz bowl meet on Monday, March 12th. The team scored a total of 96 points in the competition. Canton won the event with 119 points. West Central placed third with 90 points.

Members of the quiz bowl team are Joey Abbott, Amy Meyer, Dylan Yetter, Matt Benda, Tayte Gleason, and Cooper Emery.

2018 SD Legislative Sessions – Tom Pischke Week 9 Update

March 12, 2018 by Submitted

The main portion of the 2018 Legislative Session finished up on Friday, March 9th, and while it included many positives, people should be alerted to the dramatic expansion in government spending that is occurring each year and the increasing tax burden placed on the shoulders of our citizens.

South Dakotans take pride in the fact that their State Government, by comparison, is one of the more financially sound states in the nation. Our state retirement is fully funded, so we can keep our commitments to our teachers and state employees. We have a AAA bond credit rating, enabling us to construct buildings at low interest rates. Our state Constitution, approved by the voters, requires a structurally balanced budget, so we can’t spend more money than we take in.

But while we are not on the brink of insolvency like some other states, I don’t believe that’s enough to say that we are doing well at managing our responsibility to you, the citizens and taxpayers. If you’re like me, you expect that we will find ways each year to spend your dollars more effectively, and you expect our programs to help people toward personal responsibility, not create more dependency.

In 2017 the State spent $4.148 billion. In 2019, the budget is set to spend $4.688 billion. That’s an increase of $540 million or 13% in just two years. That’s $5417 for every man, woman and child and an increase of about $623 per person in 2 years. Personally, my income hasn’t increased 13% in two years so it’s hard to justify that the government should increase it’s spending by that same mark. We’ve also added 612 full time employees (FTE) in two years.

One substantial portion of the increased budget this year was due to the Federal Government changing the rules to comply with their responsibility to fund healthcare for our Native American population. They directed Indian Health Services to pay for 100% of the medical costs for their enrolled members who are eligible for Medicaid. This resulted in substantial savings to the state, which could have been used to reduce the tax burden on our South Dakota families, spent to ensure there are enough high quality workers caring for disabled citizens, or used to fund the education increases we passed so that you wouldn’t see your property taxes go up.

Instead, the proposal was to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates, expand Medicaid services, and expand the number of people eligible to bill Medicaid for their services. Some targeted reimbursement rate increases are necessary to ensure we have the staff to help care for the truly disabled. But much of the benefit of this expansion goes to the big 3 hospital systems in our state, who put a lot of pressure on legislators to go along with the “grand bargain” and not to change it. Once these expansions are authorized, there is no discretion by the State. We simply have to pay the bills.

Some of us determined that it was not necessary or prudent to expand Medicaid services at this time, and fought to stop Medicaid expansion in the state budget. We have seen Medicaid expansion plans really sink state budgets in other states. It seemed wiser to wait until the next Governor takes office before saddling them with an expansion that could really get out of control. We got 17 legislators to oppose the budget presented, but were unsuccessful in stopping the expansion.

It will be important to watch carefully what happens with this in the session next year. Will the numbers come in as predicted, or will it be another bait and switch that promises savings, but really ends up growing government? The important thing is to remember history and stay watchful. If we do so, we can keep the government accountable to the promises made so that your taxes are being spent as wisely as possible and that your family budget is the one that grows, instead of the State’s.

2018 SD Legislative Sessions – Dan Ahlers Week 9 Update

March 11, 2018 by Submitted

Greetings from Pierre. We have completed the final week of session. I will cover the new Precision Ag Center at SDSU as well as provide a breakdown of the additions to this fiscal year and the state budget approved for 2019.

In this final week, the legislature approved a $55 million precision agriculture project at SDSU. SDSU will become the nation’s first university to offer a B.S. degree in Precision Agriculture. Precision Agriculture combines engineering, mathematics, agronomics and environmental analysis to improve traditional agriculture methods. GPS guidance systems in tractors during the 1990’s were the early stage of precision agriculture. An example of today’s precision agriculture combines GPS-based soil sampling, software and variable rate technology to maximize the distribution of fertilizer. Farmers, ranchers, foresters, etc. can use these tools to optimize yields and profits while protecting water, soil, livestock and wildlife.

Each session, we amend the current fiscal year’s budget. Sometimes we make cuts because revenues fall short of projections. Other years, we may have a surplus. During surplus years, we can choose to put the money in reserves or address other unmet state needs. In 2018, we added an additional $5.4 million in one-time money to education. An additional $2 million was approved for the Precision Ag Center at SDSU. We approved money to start the application for the State Veterans Cemetery near Sioux Falls. We also put $4.7 million toward state employee health insurance reserves. The Governor proposed an increase to a group of Medicaid providers to get within 90% of cost in 2019, so the legislature appropriated an additional three months of funding in 2018. We also included an additional $2 million in one-time money to all providers. Finally, we appropriated additional money in 2018 to increase starting wages for correctional officers and employees at the Human Services Center in Yankton. These facilities have experienced high turnover and overtime pay due to non-competitive wages.

For fiscal year 2019, we focused on three main areas: Medicaid providers, state employees and education. For providers, we approved a 1.5% overall inflationary increase. The newspapers reported a 2% increase, but that is not accurate. Our Medicaid providers are classified by a tier system. Providers like Avera and Sanford Hospital will see a .5% increase, while nursing homes will see a 2% increase to their reimbursement. State employees will receive a 1.2% salary policy increase. The legislature prioritized state employee salary policy early in this session. The departments have had a difficult time filling many positions throughout state government. This problem is due to wages not being comparable to the industry median. Finally, education will receive a 1% inflationary increase. This increase will apply to special education, education and technical schools. Newspapers reported that the legislature increased taxes again to give money to teachers. This statement was also inaccurate. The increase given to schools is not required to go to teacher salary. However, those schools that did not make their teacher salary accountability last year will need to use this money for salary in order to make accountability this year. With respect to taxes, the mil levy changes for property tax correspond with the increase in state general fund dollars. These levy adjustments happen each year with changes in state aid.

Thank you for electing me to represent you in Pierre. Your calls and emails during session were valuable in my decision-making process. Please continue to share your input on any issue or concern. Throughout the summer, I will continue to work on constituent issues. Sometimes these issues can be resolved without legislation. Otherwise, I use your input to create legislation for the next session. You may email me at dan.ahlers@sdlegislature.gov.

2018 Dell Rapids Post Prom Letter

March 11, 2018 by Submitted

The greatest percentage of teen deaths in the state of South Dakota is due to accidents on prom and graduation nights. For this reason, the Dell Rapids High School Post Prom Committee is dedicated to creating a safe, fun, and drug- and alcohol-free event after prom.

The Dell Rapids High School Prom will be April 28, 2018. We are planning the after prom event for the early morning hours of April 29 at the school, and we would greatly appreciate any monetary contributions to sponsor this worthwhile activity.

Contributions may be sent to Tracie Price, 47181 244th Street, Dell Rapids, SD. All donations go directly to support the youth that attend the post prom event.

Registration for Post Prom will begin in March 2018. All information regarding the Post Prom schedule, as well as the registration forms, can be found on the school website after March 1.

We anticipate that this year’s post prom party will be filled with lots of food, entertainment, prizes, and fun. The committee would welcome the help of any junior and senior parents as we continue to plan the event. Please let any committee member know if you would like to join us! Thank you!

Nikie LaFortune & Amy Holm, Chairs
Tracie Price, Treasurer
Donna Reit, Secretary
The Post Prom Committee includes many other supporting Junior & Senior Parents.

Big Sioux River Rip Rap Project Completed

March 9, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Big Sioux River rip rap project in Dell Rapids was recently completed by Dakota Clearing and Grading along with help from the city crew. The project consisted of adding rip rap to the north and south banks of the Big Sioux River to spots both east and west of the Garfield Ave bridge.

“We got that in on probably the last window frame of time that we could have possibly got it in because as soon as they were done, the temperatures warmed up quite a bit and it would been too sloppy to be out there moving heavy equipment around. Dakota Clearing and Grading did it in about three to three and a half days, and did a really great job,” said City Administrator Justin Weiland during the Dell Rapids City Council’s regular meeting on Monday, March 5th.

Weiland also noted that LG Everist needed to be recognized for the project as well for being the “good-neighbor company they are.” LG Everist contributed all the material to assist the city with the project.

2018 SD Legislative Sessions – Dan Ahlers Week 8 Update

March 4, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Greetings from Pierre. We have one week left of session. I will provide an update on some of this week’s bills as well as an update on the Appropriation budget hearings.

During this session, there has been a silent assault on the ballot initiative and constitutional amendment process. SB 9 & 13 are another example of changes to make this process difficult for voters. These bills require fiscal notes to be attached to ballot measures. While understanding the potential cost of a change in law is important, the way in which the information is disseminated is equally important. These bills require the information to be included on the ballot. This requirement makes the ballot longer and more difficult for voters to navigate. Proponents of this measure know that the average voter will vote not to change a law or amend the constitution if the measure appears to be complicated. Another problem with this requirement is a fiscal note is an anticipated cost. As we learned with Marsy’s Law, many of the anticipated costs were never incurred.

Term limits have been part of this year’s issues and bills in Pierre. SB 80 & 89 set term limits for members of the Board of Regents and Board of Education. Full disclosure, I do not like term limits. Term limits set an artificial maximum not based in fact or merit. We have always had a form of term limits called elections. If we do not like our representation, we can elect someone else. Term limits give bureaucracy, lobbyists and other entities more power. These institutions do not answer to the people. When we limit a public servant’s service without cause, we cheat ours institutions of knowledge, experience and opportunity. These bills were brought because of one person that recently retired from one the boards. People felt that this individual had too much power and influence over the process. Regardless of the merits to this claim, we should not legislate due to one bad player. Should we throw out the Electoral College because we have Donald Trump as President? (Maybe that’s not the best example). These board positions are appointed by the Governor and must be voted on by the State Senate. If a person is doing a poor job, then it is the duty of the State Senate to not approve the appointment. If this person really had too much power and was abusing his position, it is the failure of the legislative body that continues to approve the appointment.

In Appropriations, we voted to approve the veteran’s cemetery located near Sioux Falls. The committee will appropriate $600,000 toward the application process. The bill also requires an endowment to be established and minimum $3m in the fund by 2023. This money will go to operational expenses. Once the project is completed, the $600,000 from the state will be refunded by the federal government and be deposited in the endowment. Thank you to all of the supporters that contacted your legislators and encouraged their support.

The Appropriations Committee has started the budget setting process. We break each department down into their individual units and set the budget. For example, in the Department of Revenue under audits, there is request for 5 auditors. The Appropriations Committee denied this request saving $327,293. As we continue this process, the committee will make similar reductions and additions to reflect our spending priorities. This year, there will be targeted increase and an inflationary increase for community based providers, an inflationary increase for education and an increase for state employees.

It will be important to hear from you during session. I would appreciate your input on any issue or concern. You may email me at dan.ahlers@sdlegislature.gov.

2018 SD Legislative Sessions – Tom Pischke Week 8 Update

March 4, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The South Dakota Legislature concluded its eight week of session on Thursday. We had a busy week in the House dealing with all of the bills that passed through the Senate. On one day, we dealt over 30 bills, which is large number to be debated in one day. As the session is now winding down, we are focusing on finalizing the budget and choosing our priorities in what should be funded and with how many dollars.

HOUSE UPDATES

•SB 105 allows a physician to administer a toxicology test on a newborn baby (neonate is the first 28 days of life) if the child exhibits symptoms of illness related to drug abuse. SB 105 includes a provision to exempt a healthcare provider from criminal and civil liability both if this test is administered and if in good faith the provider decides against performing a toxicology test. SB 105 passed Senate Health and Human Services 6-1 and passed the Senate Floor 33-2. In the House it passed the Judiciary Committee 10-1 and the House Floor 59-5.

•SB 84 prohibits any state agency from entering into a confidential settlement with a third party. All settlements requiring monetary damages or equitable relief shall be a matter of public record. SB 84 passed Senate Judiciary 5-2 and passed the Senate Floor 21-13. However, it failed in House Judiciary 10-3.

•SB 64 changes the penalties for trafficking a minor. Previously, the criminal penalty for attempted trafficking was less severe than if the trafficking was completed. However, since many human traffickers are caught in stings, which only allows a criminal charge for attempted trafficking, in that scenario the offender would receive half the prison sentence. SB 64 changes statute so that attempted trafficking and trafficking both receive the same criminal penalty. SB 64 passed Senate Judiciary 6-0 and the Senate Floor 34-0. In the House it came through both House Judiciary and the House floor with zero no votes.

•SB 9 would require a fiscal note, compiled by LRC, to accompany both initiated measures and constitutional amendments to determine the cost or lack thereof to the state upon passage. This bill passed Senate State Affairs 7-2 and Passed the Senate Floor 29-6. In the House it passed State Affairs 8-2 and the House Floor 58-9.

SENATE UPDATES

•HB 1199 Banned collective bargaining at the regental schools. HB 1199 passed the House. However, after passing the Senate State Affairs Committee 5-4 HB199 failed on the Senate Floor 16-18.

•HJR 1004 would submit to the voters for approval changes to the victim’s rights or “Marsy’s Law” constitutional amendment passed in 2016. HJR 1004 clarifies certain provisions of the law and allows law enforcement to release certain information regarding criminal activity. HJR 1004 passed the House State Affairs Committee 13-0 and passed the House Floor without opposition. The Senate Taxation Committee concurred 6-0 and it passed the Senate Floor 27-8.

•HB 1311 would change legislator salaries from 6,000 dollars a year to one fifth of South Dakota’s median income as defined by the U.S census and would be adjusted by the South Dakota Board of Finance. HB 1311 passed the House State Affairs Committee 10-4 and passed the House Floor 50-16. HB 1311 will be heard in Senate State Affairs.

•HB 1081 expands the sunset clause for the non-meandered waters compromise until 2021. This bill passed House State Affairs 11-1 and passed the House Floor 51-12. HB 1081 passed Senate Agriculture 7-2 and Passed the Senate Floor 20-15.

•HB 1100 requires a printed name to go along with a signature on all public contracts. The reason for this change is a public contract involving an illegible signature. This bill passed State Affairs unanimously and passed the House Floor with one no vote. HB 1100 passed the House Judiciary Committee 5-0 and passed the Senate Floor 33-0.

•HB 1264 authorizes the construction of a precision agriculture classroom and laboratory at SDSU. HB 1264 passed House State Affairs 13-0 and passed the House Floor 66-0. It will be heard in Senate Appropriations on Monday.

If you have any questions and/or comments on these bills or any other legislation, please email me at tom.pischke@sdlegislature.gov

Dell Rapids Bath House Renovations Discussed in Pierre

February 26, 2018 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids Mayor Tom Earley, City Administrator Justin Weiland, Dell Rapids Finance Officer Claire Baartman, Dell Rapids City Council Member James Borchert, and retired architect and Dell Rapids native Mark Aspaas met with South Dakota State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) officials along with Governor Dennis Daugaard and his wife Linda in Pierre recently to discuss possible renovations to the Dell Rapids bath house. A report of the meeting was given to the Dell Rapids City Council during their regular meeting on Tuesday, February 20th.

Aspaas has put together some renderings of what a renovation could be as well as put together a potential cost estimate of about $275,000. Those renderings along with potential uses for the building were discussed during the meeting in Pierre.

“The main purpose of the meeting was to get them (SHPO) to look at these renderings and tell us they had a comfort level of approving them because it’s on the historical registry. We have to get their approval,” Weiland said to the council during the city council meeting. “It was a positive meeting. The governor and his wife responded very positively to the use that is being proposed at this time.”

There were a couple of proposed ideas for uses of a renovated bath house. One idea is to develop a museum within the walls of the interior of the bath house that would provide information through narratives and photographs of the history of quartzite rock in Dell Rapids. Printed wall panels could be used to portray the history of the quarries as well as the buildings in Dell Rapids that have been built with quartzite.

The other proposed use of the building would be as a public gathering space for family reunions, group gatherings, and other like events. There could be tables and chairs inside of the building with power for crock pots. The bath house could then be made available for reservation similar to the building in the northwest corner of the park that is used today.

“I think it’s an important thing to do. Our community has more younger families moving into the community. I suspect there is a significant part of the community that know there are quarries here, but haven’t got a clue as to what the role those quarries have played in the history of this community,” Mayor Earley mentioned during the council meeting.

Mayor Earley also noted Governor Daugaard has sent his fundraising process document to city administration. He also said that fundraising efforts for this project could run similar to the library renovation and expansion project.

“We will be continuing to work on this and hopefully, at some point, we’ll get there. I think the state historical people appreciate the fact of what we are trying to do in terms of preserving the old bath house,” said Mayor Earley.

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