Rep. Dusty Johnson criticizes Gov. Larry Rhoden's commitment to K-12 education

Rhoden included no funding increase in next year's state budget; Johnson says students should be 'top priority'

Rep. Dusty Johnson criticized Gov. Larry Rhoden Monday for proposing a state budget next year that does not include an increase for K-12 education funding.

Johnson also said that the Rhoden administration has failed to introduce a serious plan to address slumping student achievement scores in reading and math.

“Over the last year, I have not seen any kind of a bold education plan,” Johson told The Dakota Scout. “Unlike most states, our economy is not growing. We have, for the first time in state history, K-12 education not being our top spending area, our top spending priority. And the governor seems to accept that as just a necessity that can’t be adjusted. His budget address was more a shrugging of the shoulders, and I think we need a stronger vision than that. I mean, where is the affirmative leadership for how to move forward?”