2026 Legislative Preview
 

 

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Roger DeGroot, a veteran South Dakota educator and third-term state legislator told Brookings Rotary members that the upcoming legislative session in Pierre is shaping up to be defined by the “Big Three” budget pressures -state employees, K-12 education and Medicaid - along with property taxes and debate over economic development tools.

 

The legislator outlined a career path that included teaching in Nebraska, 27 years as an elementary principal, and later service as a superintendent, followed by years living in Brookings and serving the community. “This community blessed me once again, and elected me to the House of Representative… so this is my third term,” he said.

 

DeGroot speaker described the current makeup of the South Dakota House and how it can complicate moving legislation. “To pass any kind of legislature, you need 36 votes,” he said, explaining that lawmakers often must bring issues to the House floor for full debate rather than relying on committee action. “We have to smoke them out on the House floor… it’s a lot more work.”

 

He also described a shift in House Education Committee dynamics over the past year. “Last year was kind of tough,” he said, noting that only two House Education bills advanced to the House floor. “That’s not being very effective, I don’t think.”

 

In response, the legislator said he organized a working group to develop education-focused legislation for the coming session.  “After the session got over… it was time for us to become offensive,” he said. “So I put together a big committee… there’s 20 of us… and we’re putting together some very good bills that we’re going to present in House Ed, and even if we don’t get them out, we’ll get them on the floor, and at least we’ll be able to talk about them.”

 

Among the issues discussed: alternative education oversight, accountability measures, virtual school performance and supervision, and special education “extraordinary costs.” “There’s zero accountability for what’s going on out there,” he said, referencing concerns that the state does not consistently track alternative education participation. He emphasized he is not against alternative education, but wants better safeguards. “On the premise of safety of children, where are they at?”

 

The speaker warned that a proposed 0% increase for education in the governor’s budget would create real hardship for districts facing rising costs.

 

He also offered context on the scale of state dollars involved. “We run a… $2.7 billion budget,” he said, adding that “a 1% increase to the big three… is $25 million.” He said he hopes lawmakers can find a way to support schools, universities, and state workers. “I would hope that we can find $25 million somewhere… to give to the big three so they can at least cover their expenses.”

 

 

He also noted the size of the state reserve. “We have a tremendously large reserve… over $400 million,” he said, adding concerns about balancing one-time funding with ongoing needs.

 

Property taxes, he said, will likely be a dominant issue. “Property taxes is probably top of the list,” he told the group, but added he was uncertain whether lawmakers would reach consensus. “I’m not sure anything’s going to get done, I’ll be honest with you.”

 

DeGroot also mentioned economic development tools such as tax increment financing (TIFs), noting that proposals and debates vary across the state. “In Brookings, they really depend on TIFs so they can be competitive with other cities, and be competitive with other states to bring people into town,” he said.

 

The group also discussed data centers as a potential economic development topic, including concerns about water use and electricity demand. The legislator said proponents have described “a closed loop with the water,” and he emphasized that many details remain under discussion. “I certainly don’t have all the answers at all,” he said. “That will be a real big issue in Pierre this year.”

 

During the Q&A, Brookings school leaders described escalating behavior and emotional regulation challenges—particularly among younger students.

 

“These students, they’re coming to us as young as kindergarten, and they really struggle to regulate their emotions,” commented Summer Schultz, Brookings School District Superintendent.  “Their behavior is crippling their ability to learn.”

 

She said the most serious challenges are concentrated in the early elementary grades. “The biggest issues in South Dakota schools are in our lower elementaries,” she said. “That’s where the dysregulation is… the levels have just skyrocketed, and this is not just a Brookings thing.”

 

She emphasized the need for training, coordinated supports, and early intervention. “We have to get them in preschool,” she said. “Brains are rewired very quickly when kids are 3 and 4.”

 

 

Brookings Rotary is part of Rotary International, a global service organization dedicated to strengthening communities and addressing local and international needs through service and leadership.