PIERRE, S.D. (DRGNEWS)

According to the South Dakota Education Association, about 60% of public school funding comes from state coffers, but that amount could go down, depending on the fate of Initiated Measure 28 on the Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot.

IM28 would repeal the 4.2% state sales tax on “anything sold for human consumption, not including alcoholic beverages or prepared food.”

Pierre School District Superintendent Dr. Kelly Glodt says if the passage of IM28 does happen, the financial impact would be “devastating” to public schools.

As for exactly how much schools would be financially impacted, Glodt says it depends on which numbers you look at.

Glodt says the budget reductions would most likely have to be done by cutting down on staff.

The Attorney General’s Office provides a neutral explanation for each of the seven ballot measures that can be found under the “2024 Ballot Questions” option on the Secretary of State’s website. Additionally, the AG’s explanations are printed on the sample ballots that are currently available, as well as being printed on the actual ballots people use to vote. The pamphlet also includes information supplied by proponents and opponents, but that information is not printed on the actual ballots.

The South Dakota Secretary of State’s office encourages all voters to use the Voter Information Portal at sdsos.gov to see their sample ballot. Voters are allowed to print a sample ballot, fill it out at home and bring it with them as a guide when they cast their official ballot.