13-6-2. Legislative policy. It is the policy of the State Legislature:

(1) That school districts exist for the purpose of operating a school or schools to provide the people of each local community adequate opportunity to avail themselves of a free public elementary and secondary education program. Each school district should operate a school or schools providing for elementary and secondary education programs;

(2) That it is essential for all children and youth in the state to have access to an adequate educational program in a public school and since many existing school districts do not contain sufficient taxable property to provide educational opportunities equal in comparison with the educational opportunities available in many other school districts in the state, the state board is responsible for school district reorganization which will enable each school district to offer an educational program of sufficient scope and quality to adequately expand and develop the interests and abilities of its people; and

(3) That each proposed school district shall meet the requirements and standards for school districts as provided by this chapter and shall contain sufficient human and material resources to support an education program which will meet the current minimum requirements for accreditation as adopted by the South Dakota Board of Education Standards.Source: SL 1951, ch 81, § 1; SL 1959, ch 61, § 1; SDC Supp 1960, § 15.2007 (1) to (3); SL 1973, ch 85, § 3; SL 2012, ch 88, § 5; SL 2017, ch 81, § 57.