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Is Common Core Right for South Dakota?

January 28, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Common Core topic has been highly debated recently, and Mary Scheel-Buysse from South Dakotans Against Common Core was in Dell Rapids on Saturday, January 25th, speaking on why South Dakota should do away with the Common Core Standards.

The Common Core Standards (CCS) are a set of English language arts and math standards that all children should know. One of the goals of the Common Core Standards is that students will be made college and career ready. Scheel-Buysse said that is not the goal of education. Another goal of the CCS is to have every school district follow same national standards. But according to literature handed out by Scheel-Buysse at the meeting, “this is a failed educational approach that will undermine educational quality and choice. Parents will not have a say in their child’s education under Common Core.” Scheel-Buysse also said, “The federal government has set up an incentive for schools to fail, even if that was not their intent.”

South Dakota adopted the Common Core Standards back in 2010. The initiative was a state-lead effort of governors and chief educational officers. South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard has said that the state does not receive any federal dollars that are dependent on South Dakota adopting Common Core. Daugaard has also mentioned that he would not be in support of removing the entire Common Core initiative from South Dakota, but would not be opposed to addressing specific standards within Common Core if they are thought to be wrong or bad. He also stated that he would not be opposed to legislation that protects student data.

Dell Rapids Superintendent Summer Schultz said, “As a school administrator I find myself in a predicament. On one hand I support the work our State has done in order to adopt the standards with confidence. On the other hand, I also encourage healthy discussions by those who disagree with the adoption. Anytime a renewed interest in education takes place, I’m confident that people truly want what is best for students. We may not agree how to move forward, but in the end we are all on the same side. South Dakota has always had standards in place and the adoption of common core would be no different. Whether you agree that the standards are more rigorous, less rigorous, or a little of both is an independent decision. Personally, I truly believe the quality of the classroom teacher is the single most important factor in student achievement. That being said, without a doubt I can say I’m confident that students in the Dell Rapids School District are in good hands and will continue to thrive with the new standards.”

Currently there are four bills that are being discussed in the 2014 South Dakota Legislative session. They are House Concurrent Resolution 1008 (HCR 1008), Senate Bill 62 (SB 62), Senate Bill 63 (SB 63), and Senate Bill 64 (SB 64). More information about these bills can be found at http://legis.sd.gov/Legislative_Session/Bills/default.aspx?Session=2014.

For more information about South Dakotans Against Common Core, visit their website at http://southdakotansagainstcommoncore.com. For more information about South Dakota Common Core, visit the website http://www.commoncore.sd.gov.

Viewpoints on the Common Core issue are always welcome at Big Sioux Media as “Letters to the Editor”, which can be emailed to admin@bigsiouxmedia.com. Also feel free to comment on the Facebook page of this story.

Dell Rapids Water Issue Report

January 27, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids Mayor Scott Fiegen appointed a committee of council members Gary Haak, Craig Lauritzen, and Chad Andrews to address the issues and concerns of the water issues in Dell Rapids during the City Council’s meeting on Monday, January 6th. Andrews presented the committee’s first report to the council during the regular City Council meeting on Tuesday, January 21st. Andrews reported that the committee is still waiting for sampling results to determine what the issues are. He stated, “We know there is iron in the water, but don’t much more right now.”

Andrews brought to the council an option for solution, but also said, “As soon as the samples come back, we should be able to get a plan of action started.”

The full discussion of the water issue can be found on the archived video of the City Council meeting from January 21st.

Dell Rapids School Board Meeting: 1/27/14

January 27, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, January 27th, at 7:00 p.m. in the MS/HS DDN Room. Some of the items on the agenda include approval of the personnel report, approval of the student report, discussion and consideration of membership in the SDUSA (South Dakota United Schools Association), discussion regarding the old elementary school building, and the administrative report. The school board will also enter into a time of executive session. The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

New Community Garden for Dell Rapids

January 26, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids will be getting a new community garden. The Dell Rapids City Council approved the location for the new community garden during it’s regular meeting on January 6th. The location of the garden will be on the east side of the three ball fields located on the south side of the river. The council continued discussions on watering options for the garden. Several different options were discussed including extending the line out 600 feet and putting in a hydrant by the plot. That option came with an estimated cost of $1,700. The council decided to not pursue that option. Councilor Paul Miles brought up the possibility of trenching a line from the current line at the baseball fields and blowing out the line every year.

The council will continue discussing details about the new community garden such as the finalized size of the plots and yearly fees for renting out a plot.

Library Renovation/Expansion Project Update

January 26, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Tom Earley spoke on behalf of the Library Board at the last Dell Rapid City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 21st. The Library Board has met with engineers to review the plans for the library renovation/expansion project. The board recommended to the City Council that the prior contract with SEH, Inc. be terminated and that the council approve a new contract that better covers the new scope of the project. Councilor Paul Miles moved to terminate the prior contract and approve the new contract with SEH. Councilor Mark Crisp seconded the motion, and the motion carried.

Earley and the council also held discussions on the utility replacement for the entire project. Earley told the council that the Library board held discussions with SEH about replacing the entire sewer line instead of just replacing part of the line. The approved changed in the scope of the utility replacement portion of the project adds an estimated additional $4,000 to the budget of the utility replacement, bringing that entire budget to just under $100,000. The Library Board is paying for the utility replacement project, however, the City Council has agreed to pay the contracting expenses. The Library Board recommended to the City Council to approve the bid letting for the utility replacement project, but councilor Lee Burggraff requested the amount SEH is requesting as contracting expenses be presented to the council prior to voting the approval of the bid letting. That amount was not available, so councilor Chad Andrews motioned to table the approval of bid letting until the next meeting. Councilor Gary Haak seconded that motion, and the motion carried to table the bid letting approval.

The Library Board has been in discussions with the Dell Rapids School Board about possibly relocating to the old elementary building during the renovation project.

City Council Meeting: 1/21/14

January 19, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids City Council will meet on Tuesday, January 21st, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dell Rapids Chamber. This meeting has been moved to Tuesday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday. Some of the items on the agenda include discussion the library renovation/expansion project, discussion on the community garden location and water extension, Northview Dr/11th St water issue committee report, second reading of ordinance 787 (Zoning Amendment – Accessory Structures Entered from Alley Setback), and the administrative report. The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

The meeting will be webcast live on Big Sioux Media on Channel 2.

Dell Rapids Receives $1.2 Million Loan for Wastewater Project

January 14, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced Friday (January 10th) that the state Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved nearly $4.82 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater and watershed projects. The board met Friday over the Digital Dakota Network.

“I am pleased to announce that this money is available to assist local governments,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Grant and loan funds will result in better drinking water, improved wastewater treatment and enhanced protection of the environment.”

The $4,817,000 total includes $865,000 in grants and $3.95 million in low-interest loans.

The grants and loans awarded by the board are administered through the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

A grant was awarded to:

Day County Conservation District, $115,000 grant for northeast glacial lakes protection

Loans were awarded to:

Brookings, $1,570,000 loan for Division Avenue storm water management
Dell Rapids, $1,200,000 loan for wastewater collection system improvements
Miller, $242,000 loan for wastewater collection system improvements
Mobridge, $400,000 loan for water tower replacement

A grant and loan package was awarded to:

Kingbrook Rural Water System, $1,290,000 that includes a $750,000 grant and $540,000 loan to provide individual water service to Sinai residents

The grants, loans and principal forgiveness were awarded from DENR’s Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program.

The Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program provides grants and loans for water, wastewater and watershed projects statewide. The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program provides low-interest loans for public drinking water system projects. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program provides low-interest loans and grants for wastewater, storm water and watershed projects.

The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated water funding for the Consolidated program through the Governor’s Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Jan. 10, 2014
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Mike Perkovich, (605) 773-4216
FOR PROJECT DETAILS: Visit http://denr.sd.gov/bwnrapps.aspx

School Board Meeting: 1/13/14

January 10, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

The Dell Rapids School Board will meet in regular session on Monday, January 13th, at 7:00 p.m. in the MS/HS DDN Room. Some of the items on the agenda include approval of the financial reports, approval of building use fee, old elementary school building appraisal discussion, and the superintendent’s report. The full agenda can be found by clicking here.

Rep Kris Langer receives her House Committee Assignment

January 8, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

New South Dakota House members get committee assignments: Rep. Kris Langer, R-Dell Rapids, is on the House Commerce and Energy Committee and the House Health and Human Services Committee. She replaces former Rep. Jon Hansen, R-Dell Rapids who stepped down to attend law school.

http://rapidcityjournal.com/blog/pierre-review/new-house-members-get-committee-assignments/article_855174a2-77bf-11e3-976b-0019bb2963f4.html

Sale of Rocky Run Golf Course Finalized

January 6, 2014 by Matt Larson, Big Sioux Media

Dell Rapids, SD ‐ The sale of Rocky Run Golf course to Spruce Glen, Inc. was completed on December 27th. In the early 1960’s, the local golf course was founded as a vision of many community members who were dedicated to creating an exceptional golf course in the Dell Rapids community. Over the years, there have been many area residents that have worked hard to support and carry forward this vision. Spruce Glen is a group of local investors who own and develop land surrounding Rocky Run and are committed to maintaining this valuable community asset.

It is Spruce Glen’s goal to make golf an appealing and affordable activity for both families and individuals. The membership rates for 2014 reflect an all new simplified rate structure with memberships ranging from $570 for individuals to just $800 for families. There are also options for low monthly payments starting at $50 per month. Members will be allowed to bring private carts onto the course and there will be affordable options for annual cart leases and storage. Rocky Run Members have priority tee times and will be able to reserve tee times up to 2 weeks in advance. According to Spruce Glen partner, Jill Hansen, “The advantage of being a member is that you have access to play as little or as much golf as you want whenever you want. You can use your own cart and drive to the course or you can store your cart at the course. We want people taking advantage of this community’s great golf course and enjoying the game of golf. We also want to create a friendly social atmosphere that is welcoming to all.”

Spruce Glen has also agreed to an affiliate relationship with Great Life Malaska Golf and Fitness. Great Life Members will have access to Rocky Run course at restricted times. Great Life members will be limited to Tee times up to 3 days in advance and will not have access to the course on weekends before 3 PM or on Thursday afternoons. Through this affiliation and the new membership rate structure at Rocky Run, Spruce Glen fully embraces the mission of Great Life Malaska, “to enrich the lives of families and individuals through golf & fitness”.

You can get more information regarding Rocky Run Golf Course on their website www.rockyrungolf.com. If you sign up for your membership in January and receive up to 4 free Green Fees which is approximately a $100 value.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Jill Hansen, jillhansen@div‐it.com,
(605) 310‐1770

Rocky Run Golf Course
47364 Golfview Drive Dell Rapids, SD 57022
phone 605/428-3498
manager@rockyrungolf.com

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