Dear ORR District Landowners, April 28th, 2025
Last week, you may have received a mailing from a group identifying themselves as "Rural Students, Real Opportunity." I have several concerns about this communication. The mailing states, "This survey is being sent to every address within the district, with the hope of receiving as much feedback as possible. Again, findings will be used to shape the future of this district."
I want to be clear: this survey was neither created, authorized, nor endorsed by the district. Suggesting that the survey results will "shape the future of the district" is misleading. Neither I nor the ORR School Board can guarantee the reliability of the data collected by an outside group, especially when the sample size, response rate, and accuracy of the responses are unknown. Furthermore, District landowners should know that this group has recently threatened meritless litigation against the school district without disclosing who is responsible for these efforts.
The mailing further claims: "We have enclosed a survey that will help those on the planning committee finalize a potential new map for the redistricting of ORR." This, too, is inaccurate. The official committee tasked with developing the district’s reorganization and dissolution plan has had no communication with anyone from the "Rural Students, Real Opportunity" group.
Please know that under South Dakota law, the responsibility for developing and submitting any reorganization or dissolution plan lies solely with the school board—not with independent groups. Specifically, SD Codified Law 13-6-10 states:
"Within one hundred eighty days after the petition was filed, the school board shall develop the plan... The Department of Education may grant two extensions of the filing deadline, not to exceed ninety days each."
The SD DOE will only consider a plan that has been approved by and submitted by the ORR School Board. If groups would like to have input into what this plan will look like, they are welcome to submit information to the ORR School Board or speak at the public meetings the Board will conduct. Any statements to the contrary are patently false.
The District’s primary concern is the confusion this other mailing has caused now that you have this official district letter requesting your input regarding the annexation of land—a necessary and legal part of developing our reorganization plan. Receiving multiple conflicting letters could cause you to hesitate or question the process, resulting in fewer responses and slowing the district’s ability to move forward as required by law. That is not the intent or goal of the district. As this process continues, please know that while other groups are free to influence the process, the only communications from the school will appear on ORR letterhead with my signature.
To be clear: The district’s plan will be the only plan accepted by the SD DOE. Developing this plan includes many steps including holding community meetings for review and input from landowners. In addition, all neighboring school districts must give their approval and consent to the plan as well, which will undoubtedly affect the final plan. The plan must also be reviewed by the SD Department of Revenue. These are only a few of the steps that must be completed to develop a plan in compliance with the law. Finally, only the plan developed and approved by the district and subsequently approved by the SD DOE can be put to a vote.
If you have questions about the proposed annexation of land or the reorganization plan, please reach out directly to me. I am more than willing to provide accurate, up-to-date information.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued support of the ORR District.
Sincerely,
Dawn Hoeke
ORR Superintendent