South DaCola

Why did Doogard decline to be interviewed? Maybe because his party is anti-education funding?

I suppose there could be a couple of scenarios. First off, he is probably leading in the polls, why mess that up? I will admit, I missed this last night, and am waiting for STORMLAND TV to post the video online. But as I understand it from people who watched the program last night, the results of the ZOGBY poll wasn’t really flattering for the GOP in the state.

Five-hundred likely South Dakota voters were recently asked 20 questions on everything from education funding to quality.

On this week’s Inside KELOLAND we’ll share some of the results from the ASBSD – Zogby poll as well as talk with the Associated School Boards of South Dakota’s executive director.

We’ll also get reaction from democratic candidate for governor Scott Heidepriem.
Republican candidate Dennis Daugaard’s campaign declined our invitation to respond to this poll.

And here are the results; (here is detailed video results)

SIOUX FALLS, SD – A poll from the Associated School Boards of South Dakota is gauging voters’ views on education and funding.

ASBSD teamed up with national pollster Zogby and asked 500 likely South Dakota voters 20 different questions dealing with education, including topics such as local control, federal policy and state aid to South Dakota schools.

One question asks voters if more funding equals better education. Nearly 77 percent say yes, while 22 percent say no.

Another question asks voters if they think public school funding in South Dakota should be increased or decreased, or is just about right. Sixty-one percent say it should be increased, nearly 3 percent say it should be decreased, and 30 percent say it’s just about right.

And it seems voters are prepared to put their money where their mouth is. When asked if they’d support a measure to increase sales tax to help fund schools, a slim majority, 55 percent of voters, say they would. But a good number, 36 percent, also say they’d oppose it and nine percent aren’t sure.

ASBSD shared the results of the poll with KELOLAND News before publicly releasing the numbers.

I have believed all along that public education in SD is way underfunded (and I don’t even have any kids) and I have often noted that Republican control of Pierre is the reason why. It seems, SD voters agree. So what are we going to do about it? Well, we can vote in another Republican as governor, or another FAUX Republican and see what happens. Well we know what will happen. Nothing. Or as voters, we can get off our duffs and start a drive to force government to fund education properly. Like I have noted, I have no children, BUT, I believe public education is an investment, and have no problem with paying property taxes to fund it.

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