Senate panel approves interim education secretary

By: 
Dana Hess, Community News Service
PIERRE — On Jan. 22, the Senate Education Committee advised the full Senate to approve the appointment of Ben Jones as interim secretary of the S.D. Department of Education.
In testimony before the board, Jones, a professor and dean at Dakota State University, acknowledged that he does not have what may be considered the traditional qualifications for a job that oversees K-12 education in South Dakota.
Jones said that in his role at DSU he was familiar with the need for high school graduates to take remedial courses in math and English, the use of dual credits and complying with mandates from the U.S. Department of Education.
Gov. Kristi Noem recently moved the Office of Indian Education from the Department of Education to the Department of Tribal Relations.
Asked about his thoughts on the education of Native American students, Jones said the Office of Indian Education move was a good one and that he’s impressed with the department’s new secretary, Dave Flute. “The Department of Education will continue to work with him on that,” Jones said.
Jones said a key to successful education on the state’s reservations was understanding Native American culture. “Building their education out from the culture is the way we have to go,” Jones said.
Sen. Jim Bolin, R-Canton, asked about Jones’ interim title and asked if accepting the job was just a six-month commitment on his part.
“To be honest, I don’t know about that,” Jones said. “It has to work for the department, the governor and the state.”
The committee recommended on a 6-0 that the full Senate approv of Jones’ appointment.

 

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