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State Waiting On Word From Feds About GEAR UP Program Future

Associated Press0Tagged

FLANDREAU, S.D. (AP) — Education Secretary Melody Schopp says the state is waiting for word from the U.S. Department of Education about the future of a Native American college-readiness program under scrutiny as part of an investigation into an apparent murder-suicide.

Schopp said Tuesday that the state has asked its federal counterpart about transitioning the program to a new administrator.

Mid-Central Educational Cooperative had been administering the GEAR UP program, but education officials pulled the federal contract last month.

State authorities believe Mid-Central employee Scott Westerhuis killed his family and then himself hours after the state declined to renew the contract.

A new contract could fall under the Board of Regents.

Sherry Johnson is education director for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. She says children’s services shouldn’t be affected by the issues surrounding GEAR UP.

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