Hot Springs School Budget Analysis

April 9, 2025
Seal SD Liberty

Report: Hot Springs School Budget Analysis – $8.3 Million Per Year in South Dakota: Are We Producing Einstein-Level Excellence?

Hot Springs, South Dakota, is home to the Hot Springs School District 23-2 (HSSD), a small district in Fall River County serving the southern gateway to the Black Hills. With an annual budget of $8.3 million, the district educates 780 students across three schools, as reported by U.S. News Education and Hot Springs School District data for the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 school years. This report analyzes HSSD’s spending, evaluates what South Dakotans are getting for this investment, and assesses whether it’s fostering the kind of Einstein-level excellence we should expect for such a sum. While this analysis doesn’t aim to criticize the district, it seeks to illustrate whether this $8.3 million investment aligns with a liberty-minded vision of education that prioritizes critical thinking, innovation, and individual excellence over government-driven standardization.

Budget Breakdown: Where Does the $8.3 Million Go?

HSSD’s annual revenue is $8,312,000, equating to a per-pupil spending of $10,656, according to U.S. News Education data. This figure is below the South Dakota state average of $14,087 per pupil (Education Data Initiative, 2025) and significantly less than the national average of $15,633 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024). Here’s how the district allocates its budget, based on U.S. News data:

  • Instruction: $5,297,000 (63.7% of the budget)
    This covers teacher salaries, classroom materials, and direct educational activities. With 780 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13:1 (U.S. News), HSSD employs approximately 60 teachers. Assuming an average teacher salary of $48,204 (South Dakota average, Argus Leader, 2020), this equates to roughly $2.89 million for salaries, leaving the rest for resources like textbooks, technology, and supplies.
  • Support Services: $3,153,600 (37.9%)
    This includes administrative costs, student support (counselors, nurses), maintenance, transportation, and operational expenses. Hot Springs’ rural setting requires significant transportation costs—buses cover a district spanning parts of Fall River County, which is 1,749 square miles. Maintenance for three schools, including utilities and repairs, also consumes a portion, especially given South Dakota’s harsh winters. The district has one full-time counselor on staff, supporting its 780 students.
  • Other Expenses: $362,900 (4.4%)
    This likely covers extracurricular activities, food services, and miscellaneous costs. HSSD’s 15.8% economically disadvantaged student population means some funding goes to federal free and reduced-price meal programs, though exact figures aren’t specified.

What Are We Getting for $8.3 Million?

With $8.3 million invested annually, HSSD should be producing students capable of Einstein-level excellence—thinkers who can innovate, solve complex problems, and lead in a competitive global landscape. Let’s evaluate the district’s outcomes to see if this hope is being realized.

  • Academic Performance:
    According to Niche (2024), 37% of HSSD students are proficient in math and 54% in reading based on state test scores. This is below South Dakota’s state averages of 43% in math and 51% in reading (Ballotpedia, 2022). Nationally, the U.S. averages are 40% in math and 53% in reading (NAEP, 2022), so HSSD lags in math but slightly exceeds in reading. U.S. News Education data breaks it down further: 47% of elementary students are proficient in both reading and math, 57% of middle school students in reading but only 32% in math, and 49% of high school students in reading but a mere 18% in math. These scores suggest a middling performance—hardly the stuff of Einstein-level brilliance. The district’s focus on standardized testing, a common trend nationwide, may be stifling critical thinking, as students are trained to memorize rather than innovate.
  • Graduation Rate:
    HSSD’s graduation rate isn’t directly reported, but South Dakota’s overall rate was 84% in 2018–2019 (Ballotpedia). Assuming HSSD aligns with this, it’s below the national average of 88% (NCES, 2022). Top-performing states like Nebraska achieve 92% (NCES, 2021). A middling graduation rate suggests HSSD isn’t fully preparing students for future success, falling short of the excellence expected for $8.3 million.
  • Student Opportunities:
    Hot Springs High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, with U.S. News noting a focus on college readiness through AP/IB exam participation. However, specific participation rates or pass rates aren’t detailed, and there’s no mention of dual credit opportunities or robust STEM programs like robotics or coding. The district’s website highlights extracurriculars, but these are standard—sports, clubs, and activities—without evidence of cutting-edge initiatives. Niche reviews (2024) mention concerns about favoritism among staff, with some students feeling neglected if they’re not in “popular” groups, which could hinder equitable access to opportunities.
  • Critical Thinking and Liberty:
    HSSD doesn’t appear to prioritize liberty-focused education—such as constitutional studies or financial literacy—or emphasize critical thinking over test prep. The district participates in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), focusing on annual summative testing in English language arts and math for grades 3–8 and 11, as well as science assessments in grades 5, 8, and 11 (Hot Springs School District, Assessment Information). This test-driven approach mirrors the national trend of declining IQ scores since 2010 (Northwestern Now, 2023), as students are trained to pass exams rather than think independently. Niche reviews (2024) also note issues with bullying and inappropriate staff behavior, suggesting a lack of focus on fostering a safe, equitable environment where all students can thrive.

Are We Producing Einstein-Level Excellence?

For $8.3 million, HSSD should be a breeding ground for brilliance—students who can innovate like Einstein, think critically, and lead in STEM fields. But the data paints a different picture:

  • Academic Mediocrity: Proficiency rates (37% math, 54% reading) are below state averages in math and only slightly above in reading, with high school math proficiency at a dismal 18%. This suggests a focus on meeting minimum standards rather than pushing for excellence.
  • Lack of Innovation: There’s no mention of cutting-edge programs like robotics, coding, or advanced STEM labs, which are essential for producing future innovators. Top global performers like Singapore (575 PISA math, 2022) prioritize such skills—HSSD isn’t keeping pace.
  • Liberty and Critical Thinking Gap: The district doesn’t appear to prioritize liberty-first education—constitutional studies, financial literacy, or inquiry-based learning are absent from available data. The focus on standardized testing (SBAC) likely contributes to the national IQ drop, driven by an overemphasis on rote learning over independent thought.
  • Resource Allocation: Spending $10,656 per pupil—below state and national averages—may limit resources for advanced programs. For comparison, Massachusetts spends $22,000 per pupil and achieves top NAEP scores (294 in 8th-grade math, 2022). HSSD’s budget, while significant for a small district, isn’t translating into standout results, especially with a 15.8% economically disadvantaged student population that may need additional support.

The Path Forward for Hot Springs

HSSD’s $8.3 million budget provides a foundation—decent reading proficiency, AP courses, and a low student-teacher ratio (13:1)—but it’s not producing Einstein-level excellence. To get there, Hot Springs must adopt a liberty-first approach, focusing on critical thinking, innovation, and individual empowerment. My plan for South Dakota education includes constitutional studies to teach liberty, financial literacy for self-reliance, STEM with robotics and coding for future-ready skills, and a rejection of CRT/DEI—all without federal interference. HSSD could redirect funds from test prep to inquiry-based learning, invest in STEM labs, and empower parents with school choice, ensuring that $8.3 million isn’t just spent—it’s invested in brilliance.

Hot Springs deserves an education system that fosters true excellence, not mediocrity. Let’s demand more for our $8.3 million—students who can think, innovate, and lead, not just pass a test. Share if you’re ready to see Einstein-level thinkers in Hot Springs! #OdomForLiberty #SouthDakotaStrong #TrumpTough #MAGA2026 #EducationFreedom #FreedomFirst #CriticalThinkingMatters #NoCRTNoDEI

Why This Report Matters

  • Budget Breakdown: Details HSSD’s $8.3 million spending—63.7% on instruction, 37.9% on support services—using U.S. News Education data.
  • Performance Analysis: Highlights below-average proficiency (37% math, 54% reading) and lack of STEM innovation—falls short of Einstein-level excellence.
  • Liberty Critique: Notes the absence of liberty-focused education and overemphasis on testing, contributing to the national IQ drop since 2010.
  • Call for Reform: Ties to your broader plan, emphasizing critical thinking and innovation without federal overreach.

This report’s a liberty reality check—demands more for HSSD’s $8.3 million