CHAPTER 13-28
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE PRIVILEGES AND TUITION
13-28-1 13-28-1. Repealed by SL 1979, ch 116, § 3
13-28-1.1 Enrolled student defined.
13-28-2 Kindergarten enrollment eligibility--Transfer from another state.
13-28-3 13-28-3. Repealed by SL 1971, ch 117, § 4
13-28-4 Legal age provisions applicable to public and nonpublic schools.
13-28-5 Public school privileges free to children until age twenty-one--Fee for early childhood services.
13-28-6 Continuation of privileges to pupil becoming twenty-one during school year.
13-28-7 13-28-7. Repealed by SL 1978, ch 113
13-28-7.1 Immunizations required for admission to school or early childhood program--Exceptions--Rules.
13-28-7.2 Immunizations provided at public expense.
13-28-7.3 Exclusion of student for risk of infectious disease or communicable parasite--Readmission.
13-28-8 Admission of adults resident in district without tuition.
13-28-9 School residence for free school privileges--Change of residence--Children of transferred active duty military personnel.
13-28-9.1 Residence of child assigned to special education program.
13-28-10 School residency of child residing in home other than residence of parents, guardian, or noncustodial parents--Petition to local school board--Appeal.
13-28-10.1 13-28-10.1. Repealed by SL 1982, ch 143, § 9
13-28-11 Child residing in residential treatment center or intensive residential treatment center--Responsibility for tuition.
13-28-11.1 13-28-11.1 to 13-28-11.4. Repealed by SL 1995, ch 98, §§ 1 to 4
13-28-12 13-28-12 to 13-28-12.2. Repealed by SL 1982, ch 143, §§ 10 to 12
13-28-13 13-28-13. Repealed by SL 1975, ch 128, § 377
13-28-14 School privileges of persons honorably discharged from military service.
13-28-15 Assignment of elementary students within district--Factors considered--Review of board's decision.
13-28-16 13-28-16 to 13-28-18. Repealed by SL 1975, ch 128, § 377
13-28-19 Assignment of students by school board.
13-28-19.1 Student assignment where school district dissolves and is annexed to another district.
13-28-20 13-28-20. Repealed by SL 1997, ch 98, § 16
13-28-21 Admission of nonresident students.
13-28-22 Tuition charged for students not entitled to free school privileges of district.
13-28-22.1 13-28-22.1. Repealed by SL 1996, ch 110, § 5
13-28-22.2 13-28-22.2. Repealed by SL 1993, ch 138, § 2
13-28-23 School board to pay tuition for assigned students.
13-28-24 Advance payment of tuition by student or parents--Refund if student ceases to attend.
13-28-25 13-28-25. Repealed by SL 1996, ch 110, § 8
13-28-26 13-28-26. Repealed by SL 1995, ch 98, § 5
13-28-27 13-28-27. Repealed by SL 1996, ch 110, § 9
13-28-28 13-28-28, 13-28-29. Repealed by SL 1982, ch 144, §§ 7, 8
13-28-30 Period of pupil's membership in school--Date of permanent withdrawal.
13-28-31 13-28-31 to 13-28-33. Repealed by SL 1970, ch 102
13-28-33.1 13-28-33.1. Repealed by SL 1975, ch 128, § 377
13-28-33.2 13-28-33.2. Repealed by SL 1982, ch 153, § 3
13-28-34 Rebates and refunds to induce attendance at school as misdemeanor.
13-28-35 Tuition charges for adult education program.
13-28-36 13-28-36. Repealed by SL 1995, ch 94, § 37
13-28-37 High school student postsecondary course enrollment--Dual credit--Eligibility.
13-28-37.1 State subsidized high school dual credit program--Course requirements--Limitations on participation--Tuition rate--Payment of tuition and costs.
13-28-38 13-28-38. Repealed by SL 1999, ch 86, § 1
13-28-39 Payment of tuition costs for students in residential treatment centers, intensive residential treatment centers, or group care centers for minor--Tuition rate setting--Promulgation of Rules.
13-28-40 Enrollment options program established.
13-28-41 Request for transfer--Nonresident child excused from attending in another district--Nonresident child provided with alternative instruction.
13-28-41.1 School district not required to provide transportation to student transferred within district.
13-28-42 13-28-42. Repealed by SL 2000, ch 84, § 1
13-28-42.1 Transfer of special education students--Nonresident district's responsibilities.
13-28-43 Enrollment of student in other than resident district or transfer within district--Approval and notification.
13-28-44 Standards for acceptance or rejection of application to enroll.
13-28-45 Transportation of transfer student.
13-28-46 Transfer credits.
13-28-47 Disclosure.
13-28-47.1 Return of student to resident school district or assigned school--Notice.
13-28-48 Nonresident district must serve student's grade level within district.
13-28-49 13-28-49. Repealed by SL 2010, ch 88, § 1.
13-28-50 School districts to provide student mailing lists to Board of Regents and technical colleges--Use in providing post-secondary school information--Exception.
13-28-51 Enrollment of child on partial basis upon request of parent or guardian--Alternative instruction.
13-28-52 Promulgation of rules regarding services and tuition for children residing in residential treatment centers and intensive residential treatment centers.
13-28-53 Student--Registered sex offender--Board policy.
13-28-1.1. Enrolled student defined.
As used in this title, a student is enrolled if:
(1) The student is less than twenty-one years of age on the first day of July or the student is twenty-one years of age or older and is admitted to the school district pursuant to § 13-28-8; and
(2) The student has not completed an approved program or graduated from high school; and
(3) The student's parent or guardian resides within the school district, or in the case of an emancipated minor or an adult admitted to the district pursuant to § 13-28-8, the student resides within the district or the student has been properly assigned to the district or has been approved to attend school in the district under the terms of the enrollment options program established in § 13-28-40; and
(4) The student is not simultaneously enrolled in any other school district and has not been excused from school attendance under the terms of § 13-27-1.1 or 13-27-2.
Source: SL 2006, ch 81, § 1.
13-28-2. Kindergarten enrollment eligibility--Transfer from another state.
Any child who is five years old on the first day of September is eligible for enrollment in kindergarten during that school year. Any child who transfers from another state may proceed in a continuous educational program without interruption.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.2032; SL 1939, ch 40; SL 1953, ch 55, § 4; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3002; SDCL § 13-28-3; SL 1971, ch 117, § 2; SL 1979, ch 116, § 4; SL 1991, ch 142, § 1; SL 2006, ch 80, § 3; SL 2007, ch 100, §§ 1, 2.
13-28-4. Legal age provisions applicable to public and nonpublic schools.
The provisions of § 13-28-2, shall apply to nonpublic schools as well as public schools.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3002; SL 1975, ch 128, § 185.
13-28-5. Public school privileges free to children until age twenty-one--Fee for early childhood services.
The privileges of the public schools of any district shall be free to all persons with school residence within the district until they complete the secondary school program or until they reach the age of twenty-one. However, except as otherwise prohibited by law, schools may charge a fee for early childhood services for any child who is under the age of compulsory attendance pursuant to § 13-27-1 and is not enrolled in kindergarten or a more advanced grade.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 15.2032, 15.3004; SL 1939, ch 40; SL 1943, ch 55; SL 1943, ch 56; SL 1945, ch 58; SL 1945, ch 59; SL 1945, ch 60; SL 1947, ch 72; SL 1951, ch 68; SL 1953, ch 55, § 4; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3001; SL 2012, ch 91, § 2, eff. Mar. 1, 2012.
13-28-6. Continuation of privileges to pupil becoming twenty-one during school year.
A pupil who is enrolled in school and becomes twenty-one years of age during the fiscal school year shall have free school privileges during that school year.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3002; SL 1971, ch 117, § 3.
13-28-7.1. Immunizations required for admission to school or early childhood program--Exceptions--Rules.
Any child entering school or an early childhood program in this state, shall, prior to admission, be required to present to the appropriate school authorities certification from a licensed physician that the child has received or is in the process of receiving adequate immunization against poliomyelitis, diphtheria, pertussis, rubeola, rubella, mumps, tetanus, meningitis, and varicella, according to recommendations provided by the Department of Health. The Department of Health may modify or delete any of the required immunizations. As an alternative to the requirement for a physician's certification, the child may present:
(1) Certification from a licensed physician stating the physical condition of the child would be such that immunization would endanger the child's life or health; or
(2) A written statement signed by one parent or guardian that the child is an adherent to a religious doctrine whose teachings are opposed to such immunization.
The Department of Health may promulgate reasonable rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, to require compliance and documentation of adequate immunization, to define appropriate certification, and to specify standard procedure.
Source: SL 1971, ch 141; SL 1972, ch 97; SL 1978, ch 114; SL 1992, ch 129; SL 2000, ch 83, § 1; SL 2005, ch 101, § 1; SL 2016, ch 90, § 1.
13-28-7.2. Immunizations provided at public expense.
The local board of health, upon application of the school board of any school affected by § 13-28-7.1 shall, at public expense to the extent that funds are available and without delay, provide the immunizations required by § 13-28-7.1 to such pupils as are not provided the immunizations by their parents or guardians and who have not been exempted.
Source: SL 1971, ch 141; SL 2005, ch 101, § 2.
13-28-7.3. Exclusion of student for risk of infectious disease or communicable parasite--Readmission.
A school board or school superintendent may, with the concurrence of the county health officer, exclude from school attendance a student who is determined to be a risk or nuisance to the health of other students or school employees due to the presence of infectious disease or communicable parasite. A student may be readmitted when the school board or school superintendent, with the concurrence of the county health officer, determines that the state of communicability or infectiousness no longer exists.
Source: SL 1977, ch 129, § 2.
13-28-8. Admission of adults resident in district without tuition.
If a public school can accommodate more students the school board may admit without the payment of tuition persons twenty-one years of age and over, who have school residence in the district.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3004; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3001; SL 1975, ch 128, § 187.
13-28-9. School residence for free school privileges--Change of residence--Children of transferred active duty military personnel.
School residence for the purpose of claiming free school privileges means the legal residence of the student's parents or guardian except as provided in § 13-28-10. If a parent or guardian has more than one residence, the school residence is the residence where the parent or guardian actually lives and makes a home or domicile. In case of dispute, if the student's parent or guardian has claimed a credit pursuant to § 10-13-39, it is presumed that the dwelling so claimed is the residence of the parent or guardian. The student or the student's parents or guardian may not establish school residence and be exempt from the payment of tuition if the residence of the parents or guardian of the student is acquired solely or principally for obtaining free school privileges. At the time a child is enrolled in a school district, the school residence of the child as determined by that school district within thirty days after the enrollment may not change during the school fiscal year, unless the child ceases to be an enrolled member of a school within the district. If a student's parents or guardians are separated or divorced, the school residence is the school district in which the custodial parent or guardian has residence. If the parents or guardian have joint custody of a student, school residence is that of the parent or guardian with whom the child resides the greater portion of the school year.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, if the parent or guardian of a child is transferred to or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order, the child meets the residency requirement for free school privileges in the school district in which the parent or guardian resides or will reside.
For the purposes of this section, a military installation is a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, or other installation under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 3; SL 1959, ch 70; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3003; SL 1965, ch 52; SL 1972, ch 98; SL 1981, ch 142; SL 1982, ch 143, § 1; SL 1993, ch 213, § 85; SL 1996, ch 116; SL 1996, ch 117; SL 1997, ch 98, § 15; SL 2019, ch 83, § 1.
13-28-9.1. Residence of child assigned to special education program.
A child in need of special education or special education and related services assigned to and enrolled in an approved out of district special education residential or tuition day program by an individualized education program team has school residence in the school district making the assignment. The fiscal responsibility of the school district making the assignment continues until the end of the school fiscal year or until the child's parent or guardian enrolls the child in another school district, the child participates in the new school district's special education program, the new school district conducts a placement committee meeting, a new individualized educational program for the child is adopted, and the child's placement is changed.
Source: SL 1982, ch 143, § 2; SL 2001, ch 84, § 1; SL 2009, ch 84, § 1.
13-28-10. School residency of child residing in home other than residence of parents, guardian, or noncustodial parents--Petition to local school board--Appeal.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, if a school age child resides in a home other than the residence of the child's parents, guardian, or noncustodial parents, on a temporary or permanent basis, the school residency of the child is where the parents, noncustodial parents, or guardian reside unless, upon request of the person with whom the child is living, the board of the school district accepts the child as a resident of that school district.
If the board rejects the request, the person who made the request may, within fifteen days after receipt of the rejection, petition the board for a hearing. The decision of the board, after the hearing, may be appealed to the circuit court.
A school age child is a resident of the school district in which the child is placed by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Human Services, or the Department of Social Services.
Source: SL 1959, ch 70; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3003; SL 1965, ch 52; SL 1975, ch 128, § 188; SL 1982, ch 143, § 3; SL 1993, ch 138, § 1; SL 1997, ch 96, § 1; SL 2022, ch 43, § 1.
13-28-11. Child residing in residential treatment center or intensive residential treatment center--Responsibility for tuition.
If a child is residing in a residential treatment center or an intensive residential treatment center that provides an educational program through a school district, the school district in which the residential treatment center or intensive residential treatment center is located is responsible for providing an educational program for the child.
Tuition for a child who is not placed by an individualized education program team but is, at the time of placement , enrolled in a school district or state operated school must be paid as provided in § 13-13-87.
The provisions of this section and § 13-13-87 do not apply to any placement by the Department of Corrections or the Department of Social Services.
For purposes of this section, the term, school district, means a political subdivision of this state created in accordance with chapter 13-5.
For purposes of this section, the term, state operated school, means the South Dakota Human Services Center academic program, the South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or any school so designated by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.
Source: SL 1959, ch 70; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3003; SL 1965, ch 52; SL 1982, ch 143, § 4; SL 2013, ch 77, § 1; SL 2014, ch 85, § 1; SL 2016, ch 83, § 17; SL 2017, ch 79, § 1; SL 2022, ch 43, § 2.
13-28-14. School privileges of persons honorably discharged from military service.
Any person regardless of age or sex, a resident of this state, who shall have been in the military service of the United States and who shall have been honorably discharged therefrom shall be entitled to all the privileges of the public schools of the district, unless such person under act of Congress is entitled to have tuition paid by the United States, or is entitled to receive from the United States for education and training, an allowance paying in part or all of the expenses of his subsistence, tuition, fees, supplies, books, and equipment.
Source: SL 1943, ch 56; SL 1945, ch 58; SL 1945, ch 60; SL 1947, ch 72; SL 1951, ch 68; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 12, § 6; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3006; SL 1975, ch 128, § 192.
13-28-15. Assignment of elementary students within district--Factors considered--Review of board's decision.
Every school board shall make assignment and distribution of all students with school residence within the district. The board shall take into consideration in assigning and distributing students its duty to provide an education within the guidelines of the State Board of Education Standards' accreditation rules, the wishes of the parents or guardians of the child being assigned and the district patrons, the miles and time involved in transporting the child to school, and the educational and financial impact on the district. Any patron who is aggrieved by a decision of the school board may request a hearing within thirty days before the secretary of the Department of Education or his representative. If the Department of Education has not rendered a decision within thirty days following final submission of the appeal, the board's decision is affirmed.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3006; SL 1945, ch 61; SL 1953, ch 63, § 1; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 1; SL 1957, ch 73, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3301; SL 1961, ch 79; SL 1974, ch 130, § 2; SL 1977, ch 132, § 1; SL 1984, ch 120, § 1; SL 1986, ch 131, § 1; SL 1992, ch 116, § 2; SL 1997, ch 88, § 2; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 63; SL 2017, ch 81, § 57.
13-28-19. Assignment of students by school board.
The school board shall assign and distribute the resident students eligible for elementary and secondary education among the schools in the district or to any public school in this state or any other state.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 2; SL 1957, ch 73, § 2; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3302; SL 1961, ch 80; SL 1963, ch 69, § 8; SL 1975, ch 128, § 193; SL 1997, ch 88, § 3.
13-28-19.1. Student assignment where school district dissolves and is annexed to another district.
If a school district that was contracting pursuant to § 13-15-11, dissolves and is annexed to another school district before July 1, 2010, the school board for the school district to which the former contracting school district is annexed shall, for the current school year and for each school year thereafter, assign the students who reside in land area that was part of the former contracting district to the school that was receiving the students under the contract. The rate of tuition paid per year to the receiving school district may not be less than the per student equivalent as defined in § 13-13-10.1 for that school fiscal year and is not subject to the tuition limitation in § 13-28A-2.1. In addition, the school district to which the former contracting school district is annexed may compensate the receiving school district for all or any portion of the transportation or other costs associated with the students attending school in the receiving school district. If the parent or guardian of a student assigned to a school district in a bordering state pursuant to this section disapproves of the student's assignment, the school board shall assign that student to an attendance center within the district. However, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the school district is not required to provide transportation to that student.
Source: SL 1989, ch 144, § 1; SL 1991, ch 143, § 1; SL 2009, ch 85, § 1; SL 2016, ch 83, § 18; SL 2016, ch 91, § 1.
13-28-21. Admission of nonresident students.
The school board shall admit nonresident students to the public schools in the district when it can be done without injuring or overcrowding the schools.
Source: SDC 1939, § 15.3005; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 3; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3303; SL 1967, ch 45; SL 1975, ch 128, § 194; SL 1982, ch 143, § 13.
13-28-22. Tuition charged for students not entitled to free school privileges of district.
All nursery, kindergarten, elementary, and secondary students not entitled to the free school privileges of the district wherein they are enrolled may be charged tuition.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, § 4; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3304; SL 1996, ch 110, § 4; SL 1997, ch 98, § 17; SL 1998, ch 93, § 1.
13-28-23. School board to pay tuition for assigned students.
If a student has been assigned by the school board of the district where the student has a school residence or has been assigned as provided by statute, the school board shall pay the student's tuition. The school boards shall take action on any request regarding the establishment of the tuition rate or the payment of tuition within forty-five days after receiving the request. The school board may negotiate the rate of tuition with a school board or any other payer. A school board's decision with respect to the student assignment may be appealed to the circuit court in the time and manner specified by § 13-46-1 or to the secretary of the Department of Education within thirty days from the date of the decision of the school board by filing a notice with the secretary of the school board and mailing a copy of the notice to the secretary of the Department of Education. The board shall take into consideration when negotiating the rate of tuition the average cost of educating a student in the district including transportation if required.
Source: SDC 1939, §§ 15.3301; SL 1945, ch 61; SL 1947, ch 73, § 1; SL 1953, ch 63, § 1; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 4; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3304; SL 1975, ch 128, § 195; SL 1982, ch 143, § 14; SL 1996, ch 110, § 6; SL 1997, ch 88, § 4; SL 1997, ch 98, § 18; SL 1998, ch 93, § 2; SL 2003, ch 272, § 63.
13-28-24. Advance payment of tuition by student or parents--Refund if student ceases to attend.
Anyone who must personally pay tuition shall pay in advance the annual or monthly amount of tuition. If the student ceases to be a member of the school before the expiration of the term for which the tuition has been paid, the school board shall refund the unearned portion of the tuition upon the presentation of a proper voucher.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 4; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3304; SL 1982, ch 143, § 15; SL 1996, ch 110, § 7; SL 1997, ch 98, § 19.
13-28-30. Period of pupil's membership in school--Date of permanent withdrawal.
A pupil is a member of the school from the date the pupil arrives at the school and is placed on the current roll until the pupil permanently leaves the school. The date of permanent withdrawal is the day the pupil last attended the school.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 5; SL 1957, ch 73, § 3; SL 1959, ch 72, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3305; SL 1963, ch 85; SL 1964, ch 45; SL 1965, ch 54, § 1; SL 1982, ch 144, § 4; SL 1996, ch 110, § 10; SL 1997, ch 98, § 20.
13-28-34. Rebates and refunds to induce attendance at school as misdemeanor.
A school district board, administrator, or school employee may not give or promise to give, either directly or indirectly, any rebate or refund of any transportation or any other thing of value as an inducement for attending school in a district. Any person violating the provisions of this section is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.
Source: SL 1939, ch 54; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 15; SL 1955, ch 41, ch 17, § 16; SDC Supp 1960, §§ 15.3315, 15.9916; SL 1964, ch 47, § 1; SL 1982, ch 86, § 141; SL 1982, ch 144, § 5; SL 1997, ch 98, § 21.
13-28-35. Tuition charges for adult education program.
A school district operating an adult education program may charge tuition as determined by the school board, subject to the provisions of chapter 13-39.
Source: SL 1955, ch 41, ch 13, § 8; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.3308; SL 1975, ch 128, § 198; SL 1982, ch 144, § 6.
13-28-37. High school student postsecondary course enrollment--Dual credit--Eligibility.
Any student in grades nine, ten, eleven, or twelve may apply to an institution of higher education or a technical college as a special student in a course or courses offered at the institution of higher education or technical college. The institution of higher education or technical college shall set admission standards and tuition rates. The student shall obtain the school district's approval of the postsecondary course prior to enrolling. If the student is enrolled in a nonpublic school or a tribal school, the student must obtain approval of the postsecondary course from the nonpublic school or the tribal school prior to enrolling, and if the student is receiving alternative instruction pursuant to § 13-27-3, the student must obtain approval of the postsecondary course prior to enrolling from the provider of the alternative instruction. If approved, the student must receive full credit toward high school graduation as well as postsecondary credit for each postsecondary course. The school district shall record each course under this section on the student's transcript and shall use each course score to calculate academic standing.
If a failing final course grade is received in a postsecondary course under this section, the student receiving the failure is no longer eligible to enroll for postsecondary courses under this section absent a showing of good cause.
Source: SL 1990, ch 122, § 5; SL 1996, ch 119; SL 2003, ch 100, § 1; SL 2014, ch 86, § 1; SL 2015, ch 92, § 1; SL 2018, ch 96, § 1; SL 2020, ch 61, § 40; SL 2023, ch 57, § 1; SL 2024, ch 55, § 1.
13-28-37.1. State subsidized high school dual credit program--Course requirements--Limitations on participation--Tuition rate--Payment of tuition and costs.
A state subsidized high school dual credit program must be established for any student in grades eleven or twelve. The public institution of higher education or technical college offering the credit shall set the admission standards. A participating institution shall regularly submit course availability, enrollment, and completion data to the Department of Education.
If a student receives a failing grade in any course or withdraws from a course after the deadline and does not receive credit for the course, the student may no longer participate in the program. The Board of Regents or Board of Technical Education may reinstate a student who is prohibited from participating in the dual credit program if the student demonstrates good cause for failing a course or withdrawing from a course, or if at the student's expense the student retakes and passes the course that the student withdrew from or failed.
The dual credit program may not be used for remedial courses.
The Board of Regents shall set a high school dual credit tuition rate equivalent to forty-three percent of the undergraduate tuition rate. The student taking the course shall pay an amount equal to thirty-three and three-tenths percent of the total high school dual credit tuition rate and a school district may pay any portion of the student's share. The state shall pay an amount equal to sixty-six and seven-tenths percent of the total high school dual credit tuition rate. No public institution of higher education or technical college offering the credit may require any additional fees.
The student is responsible for any other costs involved with attending a postsecondary institution. For the purposes of this section, the term, undergraduate tuition rate, means the per-credit rate, as set by the Board of Regents, that was in effect on January first of the previous fiscal year.
Source: SL 2018, ch 96, § 2; SL 2020, ch 57, § 1; SL 2020, ch 61, § 41; SL 2022, ch 47, § 2.
13-28-39. Payment of tuition costs for students in residential treatment centers, intensive residential treatment centers, or group care centers for minor--Tuition rate setting--Promulgation of Rules.
The Department of Social Services shall pay tuition costs and related service costs for students in residential treatment centers, intensive residential treatment centers, or group care centers for minors who are under the care and custody of the Department of Social Services or the Department of Corrections.
The Department of Social Services has rate setting authority for tuition costs and related service costs.
The Department of Social Services shall promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, pertaining to:
(1) The amount, scope, and duration of services;
(2) The basis for and extent of provider payments;
(3) The method and amount of payment;
(4) The methods of recoupment or recovery of overpayments;
(5) Administration, record keeping, and audit requirements;
(6) Compliance monitoring;
(7) Reporting requirements; and
(8) Such other standards and requirements as necessary to ensure the efficient operation and administration of the program.
Source: SL 1995, ch 98, § 6; SL 2000, ch 84, § 9; SL 2022, ch 43, § 3.
13-28-40. Enrollment options program established.
An enrollment options program is established to enable any South Dakota kindergarten through twelfth grade student to attend any public school that serves the student's grade level in any South Dakota school district, subject to the provisions in §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive. For purposes of determining state aid to education as it relates to the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, fall enrollment as defined in § 13-13-10.1 is used to compute state aid to general education and special education fall enrollment as defined in § 13-37-35.1 is used to determine funding for special education.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 1; SL 2000, ch 84, § 8; SL 2007, ch 93, § 17; SL 2015, ch 89, § 21; SL 2016, ch 85, § 10.
13-28-41. Request for transfer--Nonresident child excused from attending in another district--Nonresident child provided with alternative instruction.
A school district shall grant a request for a transfer into the district or within the district unless the transfer would result in an inability to provide a quality educational program based on criteria established by the district pursuant to § 13-28-44.
In addition, a school district shall grant a request to admit into the district a child who is a resident of another school district and who is excused from attending school in the resident district pursuant to § 13-27-2, or is a child provided with alternative instruction pursuant to § 13-27-3, unless admitting the nonresident child would result in an inability to provide a quality educational program based on criteria established by the district pursuant to § 13-28-44.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 2; SL 2007, ch 101, § 3; SL 2021, ch 76, § 16.
13-28-41.1. School district not required to provide transportation to student transferred within district.
If a student is transferred from one school to another school within a school district at the request of the student's parent or guardian, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the school district is not required to provide transportation services to the student.
Source: SL 1999, ch 87, § 1.
13-28-42.1. Transfer of special education students--Nonresident district's responsibilities.
Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 13-28-44 and 13-37-8.4, a request to transfer a student in need of special education or special education and related services may be granted only if the nonresident district:
(1) Upon receipt of an open enrollment application, obtains copies of all relevant student education records on the student applying to open enroll from the resident district;
(2) Completes a review of those relevant student education records; and
(3) Directly communicates with the student's parent or guardian and representatives of the resident district regarding the student's special education or special education and related services needs.
If the nonresident district confirms, based upon the records review and communications with the student's parent or guardian and representatives of the nonresident district, that it can provide an appropriate instructional program and facilities, including transportation, if necessary, to meet the needs of the student, it may proceed under the provisions of § 13-28-43. If the nonresident district is not able to make that confirmation, the nonresident district shall initiate an individual education program team meeting consisting of representatives from both the resident and nonresident districts to determine whether the nonresident district can provide an appropriate instructional program, facilities, and transportation, if necessary.
A request to transfer a student in need of special education or special education and related services may be denied only pursuant to § 13-28-44 or if an individual education program team consisting of representatives from the resident and nonresident districts determines that the nonresident district cannot provide an appropriate instructional program and facilities, including transportation, to meet the student's needs. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 13-37-1.3 and 13-37-8.4, if the request to transfer is granted, the nonresident district is responsible for the provision of a free appropriate public education for the student in need of special education or special education and related services. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 13-28-45, the nonresident district shall also determine whether the student in need of special education requires transportation as a related service. If so, the nonresident district shall provide or ensure the provision of transportation within the boundaries of the attendance center to which the student is assigned.
If a parent or guardian of a student in need of special education or special education and related services requests to transfer the student back to the resident district, the provisions of § 13-28-43 apply.
Source: SL 2000, ch 84, § 2; SL 2004, ch 130, § 1.
13-28-43. Enrollment of student in other than resident district or transfer within district--Approval and notification.
A student's parent or legal guardian who wishes to enroll the student, or an emancipated student who wishes to enroll, under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, in a South Dakota school district other than the resident district or in a school within the resident district other than the school to which the student has been assigned shall apply on forms provided by the Department of Education.
The school board or the board's designee of the district in which the student desires to enroll shall approve or disapprove the application and shall notify the applicant and the resident board, if applicable, of its decision within five days of the decision. The district in which the student desires to enroll shall review the applications in the order received. However, if the applicant is a sibling of a student accepted into and currently enrolled in the district pursuant to §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, that student's application shall take priority over all other applications the district has received consistent with § 13-28-44.
Transfers to a school district other than the resident school district under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, may only take place prior to the last Friday in September during the first semester of any school year, and prior to the last Friday in January during the second semester of any school year. If a school district approves an application for such a transfer after the deadline in the first semester, the transfer will occur at the start of the second semester. If a school district approves an application for such a transfer after the deadline in the second semester, the transfer will occur at the start of the following school year. However, the deadlines for transfer do not apply if:
(1) A student is seeking to transfer to an alternative school or a specialized nonpublic educational program;
(2) A student enrolls in a school district after the deadline in either semester; or
(3) The receiving school district school board or the board's designee determines that special circumstances exist and allows a student to transfer after the deadline.
Intradistrict transfer applications may be accepted and acted upon at any time at the board's discretion if the policies on which the transfer decisions are based are consistent with the other requirements of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive.
An application may be withdrawn by the applicant prior to the approval of the request and upon notification of the district to which the student applied. Once approved by the district in which the student wishes to enroll, the approved application serves as the applicant's notice of intent to enroll in the nonresident district or desired school during the school year and obligates the student to attend school in the nonresident district or desired school during the school year, unless, as provided in § 13-28-47.1, the affected school board or boards agree in writing to allow the student to transfer back to the resident district or assigned school, or unless the parents, guardians, or emancipated student change residence to another district.
Once enrolled in a nonresident district or nonassigned school, the student may remain enrolled and is not required to resubmit annual applications.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 4; SL 1998, ch 92, § 2; SL 1999, ch 86, § 2; SL 2002, ch 88, § 1; SL 2003, ch 101, § 1; SL 2003, ch 272 (Ex. Ord. 03-1), § 63; SL 2012, ch 95, § 1; SL 2014, ch 87, § 1; SL 2018, ch 97, § 1.
13-28-44. Standards for acceptance or rejection of application to enroll.
Each school district by November 1, 1997, shall by resolution adopt relevant standards for the acceptance and rejection of an application to enroll in the district under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive. The board shall adopt standards through official board action, set them forth in writing, and make them available to any individual upon receiving an oral or written request. Standards shall be limited to the capacity of a program, class, grade level, and school building operated by the board and the pupil/teacher ratio. Discrimination based on race, gender, religious affiliation, or disability is prohibited. If two or more children from a family residing in the same household must enroll in different school districts as the result of a board's denial of an application to transfer from a resident district or to enroll in a nonresident district under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, neither the resident board nor the nonresident board may deny the application. However, two or more children from a family residing in the same household who are eligible for kindergarten through twelfth grade may open enroll only if, pursuant to § 13-28-42.1, the nonresident district can provide an appropriate instructional program and facilities, including transportation, for the child in need of special education or special education and related services. If the nonresident district cannot meet the provisions of § 13-28-42.1 for the child in need of special education or special education and related services, the nonresident district may deny that child's application for open enrollment.
The decision of a local school board regarding a student's application for open enrollment or a request to return to the resident district under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, is subject to de novo appeal under the provisions of chapter 13-46. The Department of Education may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 1-26 specifying procedural and administrative requirements for the implementation of the open enrollment program and related transfers and enrollments under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 5; SL 2000, ch 82, § 1; SL 2003, ch 272, § 63; SL 2004, ch 130, § 2.
13-28-45. Transportation of transfer student.
The parent or guardian of a student who has been accepted for transfer is responsible for transporting the student to school in the receiving district without reimbursement. A receiving school district may enter the district of residence of students accepted for transfer into that school district to provide transportation to those students. However, the school boards in both the receiving school district and the resident school district shall annually approve the pick-up locations for those students within any incorporated municipality. When approving pick-up locations, the school boards shall base their decisions foremost on student safety. If the school boards cannot reach agreement on the pick-up locations, the locations shall be determined by the secretary of the Department of Education. The provisions of § 13-29-4 do not apply when transporting students enrolled under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47. The receiving district may charge a reasonable fee if the student elects to use the transportation services offered by the receiving district. The provisions of this section regarding the transportation agreements among school districts do not apply to any school district defined as a sparse school district pursuant to § 13-13-78.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 6; SL 1998, ch 92, § 3; SL 1999, ch 80, § 6; SL 2011, ch 95, § 1.
13-28-46. Transfer credits.
A school district shall accept credits for any course completed in any other accredited school district as the result of a transfer under §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive. The nonresident district shall award a diploma to a nonresident student only if the student satisfactorily meets its graduation requirements.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 7.
13-28-47. Disclosure.
Each school district shall make relevant information about the district, schools, programs, policies, and procedures available to all interested people.
Source: SL 1997, ch 98, § 8.
13-28-47.1. Return of student to resident school district or assigned school--Notice .
If, after the conclusion of a school year, a student enrolled under the provisions of §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, wishes to return to the student's resident school district or assigned school, the student's parent or legal guardian shall, or if the student is emancipated, the student shall notify the affected school board or boards of the student's intent to return to the resident school district or previously assigned school on forms provided by the Department of Education. The student's parent or legal guardian shall, or if the student is emancipated, the student shall notify the affected school board or boards of the student's intent to re-enroll in the resident school district or previously assigned school no later than August first. However, if the affected school board or boards determine that special circumstances exist, a student may be allowed to transfer to the student's resident school district or assigned school after the deadline.
Source: SL 2018, ch 97, § 2.
13-28-48. Nonresident district must serve student's grade level within district.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no student may enroll in a school district pursuant to the provisions contained in §§ 13-28-40 to 13-28-47, inclusive, if that school district does not serve the student's grade level within the physical boundaries of the school district.
Source: SL 2000, ch 82, § 3.
13-28-50. School districts to provide student mailing lists to Board of Regents and technical colleges--Use in providing post-secondary school information--Exception.
By November first each year, each school district shall provide a list of students by name in grades seven to twelve, inclusive, together with their mailing addresses, to the executive director of the Board of Regents and to each technical college located in the state. The board and each technical college shall use the information to inform the parents and guardians of any such student in any public middle school and high school about the courses needed to prepare for postsecondary-level work and about the benefits of such preparation. However, no school district may forward the name of any student whose parent has directed that the school district not release directory information about the student. The board shall provide a format through which the information may be submitted.
Source: SL 2002, ch 89, § 1; SL 2015, ch 93, § 1; SL 2020, ch 61, § 42.
13-28-51. Enrollment of child on partial basis upon request of parent or guardian--Alternative instruction.
The resident school district of a child being provided alternative instruction pursuant to § 13-27-3 shall admit that child to a public school in the district upon request from the child's parent or legal guardian. A child enrolled in a school district pursuant to this section may be enrolled in a school of the school district on only a partial basis and shall continue to also be provided with alternative instruction pursuant to § 13-27-3.
Source: SL 2007, ch 101, § 1; SL 2021, ch 76, § 17.
13-28-52. Promulgation of rules regarding services and tuition for children residing in residential treatment centers and intensive residential treatment centers.
The South Dakota Board of Education Standards may promulgate rules, pursuant to chapter 1-26, regarding services provided and tuition paid for children residing in residential treatment centers or intensive residential treatment centers, as provided in §§ 13-28-11 and 13-13-87, including:
(1) The scope, duration, and requirements of enrollment for purposes of qualifying for and calculating rates and payments;
(2) The amount, scope, and duration of services;
(3) The basis for, extent of, and timing of payments;
(4) The method and amount of payment;
(5) The methods of recoupment or recovery of overpayments;
(6) Reporting requirements;
(7) Designation of additional state operated schools referenced in § 13-28-11; and
(8) Other standards and requirements as may be necessary to ensure the efficient operation and administration of the program.
Source: SL 2017, ch 79, § 3; SL 2022, ch 43, § 4.
13-28-53. Student--Registered sex offender--Board policy.
A board of a school district may adopt a policy that requires a student who is registered as a sex offender, pursuant to § 22-24B-2, to receive instruction through remote or distance learning or an alternative educational program.
Source: SL 2023, ch 58, § 1, eff. Mar. 20, 2023.
