By Kraig Steinhoff, Superintendent, Huron School District #2-2
Several years ago, an old friend and fellow educator, Dr. Steven Johnson, shared a memorable insight with me during one of our travels. What resonates most from our conversation is his assertion:
“We may not agree on everything, but we can agree on this: Children need to be in school, and they need to feel safe to learn.”
In the Huron School District #2-2, we proudly identify as the Tigers. Every child is considered a Tiger. We take pride in being one of the most diverse school districts in South Dakota and treat every student as part of our family. This is not merely a talking point; it is our core belief. Our dedicated staff arrives every day ready to teach, support, coach, encourage, and help students grow academically and socially, guiding them to reach their full potential.
Every superintendent, including myself, understands what research confirms: students cannot learn if they are not present. When fear keeps children home, learning stops. When learning halts, it becomes increasingly difficult to achieve essential community goals such as student progress, graduation, workforce readiness, family stability, and the long-term vitality of rural towns like ours.
Educators across the country have observed a troubling trend: when reports or experiences of immigration enforcement activities occur near schools attendance drops. Parents keep children home out of fear. Students who do attend are often distracted and anxious, forcing teachers and administrators to manage disruptions instead of focusing on instruction. Every student feels the strain – regardless of their status – as the atmosphere of fear permeates every corner of the classroom.
Whether in a large city or a rural community, educators recognize that fear and instability undermine learning.
National debates often overlook a critical truth that those of us in rural education clearly see: families who arrive from elsewhere don’t remain “new” for long. They become classmates, teammates, concert performers, and friends. Their parents become co-workers and neighbors. They join churches, youth programs, and community events, ultimately becoming part of the community’s fabric.
Rural communities understand that during a time of declining enrollment, families who choose to settle in our areas can bring much-needed stability and occasionally growth to our schools and communities. They often fill essential jobs that have remained vacant for years, jobs critical to our local economy. When families feel secure enough to send their children to school daily, the community reaps the benefits.
Let me be clear: this is not a call to take sides in broader immigration debates. The focus here is children, much like mine and yours. The issue at hand is more specific and urgent: we must keep schools predictable, stable, and focused on learning.
For years, federal guidance generally recognized schools, places of worship, and other community institutions “sensitive locations,” where enforcement actions were typically prohibited. This approach provided clarity and predictability, allowing schools to remain focused on their mission: educating children.
When that predictability fades, the mere perception of enforcement near schools can create a chilling effect. In education, perception quickly becomes reality: buses become less crowded, classrooms empty out, and the students who need stability the most are the ones most likely to miss school.
Restoring protections for sensitive locations is a commonsense step that helps schools fulfill the expectations of their communities.
In South Dakota, we value local control, practical solutions, community stability, and education not just because it is the right thing for kids, but because it is foundational to the workforce and economy our towns depend on.
As Congress continues negotiations on the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, South Dakota is uniquely positioned to help lead with clarity and common sense. Senator John Thune has long demonstrated steady leadership and a deep commitment to the people, communities, and schools of our state. I respectfully urge Leader Thune to include language in the final DHS funding bill that restores protections for sensitive locations. This approach has been implemented under both Republican and Democratic administrations, including the first Trump administration, precisely because it works. It recognizes that schools function best when they are predictable, stable environments focused on learning.
A reinstated sensitive-locations policy honors these values. It ensures that schools be treated as places of learning, allowing students to attend, stay engaged, and thrive.
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