× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

SIOUX FALL | South Dakota's public schools want to shut down "school choice" discussions in the state before they begin.

Statewide public school groups are preparing to oppose bills that would expand school choice more than two months before legislators convene in Pierre for the 2018 session, the Argus Leader reported.

The Associated School Board of South Dakota added the new resolution to its priorities this year in response to U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, said Todd Thoelke, president of the group and member of the Sioux Falls school board. The U.S. Education Department plans to increase spending for charter schools and voucher programs under DeVos, who is a vocal advocate for school choice.

"It's a scary road to go down," Thoelke said.

He and other Sioux Falls school board members met Wednesday to look at legislative priorities for both the Associated School Board of South Dakota and the Large School Group, an organization that lobbies for public schools.