FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, Oct. 18, 2021

CONTACT: Mary Stadick Smith, South Dakota Department of Education, 605-773-7228, or

Ruth Raveling, South Dakota Department of Education, 605-773-2593

Board adopts proposed rule to grant districts flexibility in hiring long-term substitutes

PIERRE, S.D. – At its meeting earlier today, the South Dakota Board of Education Standards adopted a proposed administrative rule to provide more clarity and flexibility for school districts in hiring long-term substitutes.

“We know that school districts sometimes have difficulty filling long-term substitute positions,” said Secretary of Education Tiffany Sanderson. “This new rule aims to strike a balance of providing districts more flexibility, while at the same time ensuring that students are taught by qualified educators.”

The proposed rule amends the definition of long-term substitute. It updates the certification rule to extend the length of time a long-term substitute can act as the teacher of record and provides additional flexibility for leave pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or when the individual has a teaching certificate.

Pending approval by the Legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee, the proposed rule would go into effect this winter.

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