SD bill allowing pilot charter school passes

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – South Dakota lawmakers have given final approval to legislation that would allow the state to create a pilot charter school.

The bill, which passed the House 49-20 Monday and now heads to the governor, supports South Dakota’s application for a federal grant to help it build a residential school designed to improve academic achievement among American Indians.

Some representatives expressed worries that gearing a charter school to a specific race could amount to segregation.

The year-round school, which would serve grades 9-12 and offer two years of post-secondary education, likely would be built in the Black Hills.

The curriculum would focus on science, technology, engineering and math, while infusing Indian family culture.