Push for Publicly Funded Charter Schools Fails in South Dakota Senate

Proposal to allow charter schools in the state lost on a tie vote in the Senate

Feb. 22, 2026 at 1:05am

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A proposal to allow charter schools in South Dakota lost on a tie vote in the state Senate on Thursday and failed on reconsideration on Friday. The bill, introduced by Republican Sen. Lauren Nelson, would have allowed for the creation of publicly funded, privately run charter schools in the state. Opponents argued that charter schools could pull funding from the state's already underfunded public schools.

Why it matters

The failure of the charter school bill highlights the ongoing debate over the role of public education and school choice in South Dakota. Proponents argued that charter schools would provide more options for students, while opponents were concerned about the potential impact on traditional public schools.

The details

The bill narrowly advanced out of a Senate committee but then lost on a tie vote in the full Senate on Thursday. Republican Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen, who has the authority to break Senate ties, chose not to cast a vote in favor of the legislation, sealing its fate. Opponents argued that charter schools could pull funding from the state's 'already underfunded public schools' and expressed concerns about the proposed governance structure and teacher certification requirements.

  • The bill was introduced in the 2026 South Dakota legislative session.
  • The Senate voted on the bill on Thursday, February 22, 2026.
  • The Senate reconsidered the bill on Friday, February 23, 2026, but it ultimately failed.

The players

Sen. Lauren Nelson

The Republican state senator who introduced the bill to allow charter schools in South Dakota.

Sen. Jamie Smith

The Democratic state senator who argued that charter schools could pull funding from the state's already underfunded public schools.

Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen

The Republican lieutenant governor who has the authority to break Senate ties but chose not to vote in favor of the charter school bill.

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What they’re saying

“Public charter schools do not replace traditional public education. Rather, they expand the range of options available to families.”

— Sen. Lauren Nelson

“We're already struggling to come up with our obligation, per law, of what we're supposed to do to fund education in this state.”

— Sen. Jamie Smith

“I think most of the time it makes sense to let the legislative process play out. Senators can move to reconsider and try to find a vote to flip their way and pass it if they want.”

— Lt. Gov. Tony Venhuizen

The takeaway

The failure of the charter school bill in the South Dakota Senate highlights the ongoing debate over the role of public education and school choice in the state. While proponents argued that charter schools would provide more options for students, opponents were concerned about the potential impact on traditional public schools, which are already underfunded.