South Dakota US congressman Dusty Johnson is making education one of his top priorities if elected governor.
According to a release from Johnson’s gubernatorial campaign, Johnson has outlined his “Strong School” plan following Governor Larry Rhoden’s announcement in his budget address education funding and teacher salaries would remain flat this year according to his recommendation.
Johnson outlined his plan in the following ways, restore K-12 as the top budget priority, encourage collaborative efforts to improve reading and math scores and create a skilled trade pathway to graduation. Johnson is seeking the GOP gubernatorial nomination along with incumbent Governor Larry Rhoden, speaker of the state house of representatives Jon Hansen and Aberdeen businessman Toby Doeden.
The plan in more detail according to a release from the Johnson campaign:
Restore K-12 as South Dakota’s Top Budget Priority: Governor Rhoden recommended, for the first time in state history, that K-12 education would not be the largest item in the state budget. Through conservative, priority-based budgeting, Johnson will restore education as South Dakota’s top budget priority.
Collaborative Effort to Improve Reading and Math Scores: Johnson will work with educators and families on plans for improving achievement in literacy and mathematics, particularly at the grade school and middle school levels. The effort will refocus achievement efforts on foundational skills and will be in collaboration with those closest to South Dakota’s students – parents and teachers.
Create a Skilled Trade Pathway to Graduation: This plan will create a clear graduation pathway that permits students to take skilled trade courses as equivalents to upper-level math and science, acknowledging that many skilled courses require applied science and mathematics. Johnson recognizes the importance and merit of technical education and this skilled trade pathway will give students practical education on another pathway to success.
