MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — U.S. Rep. and gubernatorial candidate Dusty Johnson on Monday announced a new education platform called “Strong Schools,” outlining policies aimed at strengthening South Dakota’s education system and improving student outcomes.

Johnson made the announcement in Sioux Falls, emphasizing education as a key factor in workforce development and long-term economic growth.

“While others are tearing our schools down, I will work to lift students up,” Johnson said. “My focus is on our future, and education remains our number one tool for upward mobility and achieving the American Dream.”

The plan includes three main components. Johnson says he would restore K-12 education as South Dakota’s largest budget priority, reversing a recommendation in Gov. Larry Rhoden’s proposed budget that would make education no longer the state’s top spending category.

Johnson also proposes a collaborative effort with educators and families to improve reading and math achievement, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels, with a renewed focus on foundational skills.

The third element would create a skilled trade pathway to graduation, allowing certain technical and trade courses to count as equivalents for upper-level math and science requirements. Johnson says the change would recognize the applied math and science skills required in many trade professions.

“Now is not the time to defund our schools—it is time to defend our students,” Johnson said.

More information on the “Strong Schools” plan is available through Johnson’s campaign announcement at https://www.dustyjohnsonforsd.com.