Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Contact: Michael Ewald, Communications Director, (605) 271-5405, press@sddp.org
Democrats push GEAR UP reform
Sioux Falls, SD (February 23, 2016)-
A measure to return GEAR UP funding to its original intended purpose, a college scholarship program for Native American students, passed its first hurdle Tuesday through the House Committee on Education.
Prime Sponsors of HB 1220, Democrat Rep. Julie Bartling, (D-Gregory) and Democrat Sen. Troy Heinert (D-Mission) argue the bill is necessary to ensure funding goes to its intended target – students.
“We’re trying to get the money where it’s intended and that’s to the kids who need it the most,” said Heinert.
HB 1220 would rescind a waiver that allowed the South Dakota Department of Education to move money to Mid Central Educational Cooperative instead of finding matching grants for low-income Native American students.
In September of 2015, the Department of Education withdrew a $4.3 million grant from the organization due to financial and record-keeping “incompetence”.
Hours later, Mid Central’s business manager, Scott Westerhuis killed his wife and four children before setting their home ablaze and committing suicide.
Earlier this month, Mid Central initiated a lawsuit against the Westerhuis estate for over $2 million dollars alleging a “reasonable chance” he misappropriated funds.
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