SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The chairman of the State Senate Education Committee is freshman Senator Jim Bolin of Canton, who previously served four terms in the House from District 16.
Bolin says while education is always an important topic, it won't be as big an issue as it was last session.
Bolin says last year featured the increase in sales tax for teacher salaries. He says education will not have the same focus as it did last session.
Bolin says that doesn't mean there will be a lack of issues facing education.
He says charter schools will probably come up in session. He says South Dakota is one of seven or eight states that doesn't allow for chartered schools. He says another education topic is how much control Pierre has over local schools.
He says the funding formula will also be at the top of the list.
Bolin says the chief concern over the new funding formula is it's impact on rural schools. He says the increase in funding is going to work well for a lot of schools but he's not sure how well it will work for rural schools.
Bolin is a retired South Dakota educator.