About Us

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative offers South Dakotans public education, community development coordination, and technology applications that reduce geographic isolation. Central offices are located in Sturgis, with satellite offices throughout the Black Hills and in Pierre. Though it is a government legal entity, the Cooperative does not levy taxes. Funding is secured by providing services that public institutions and private organizations are willing to buy.

The governing board is composed of one elected school board member from each of the 12 public school districts in western South Dakota. Board meetings are monthly and public, and minutes are published in the Rapid City Journal. The organization operates as an education cooperative under South Dakota Codified Law 13:5:31. Because Black Hills Special Services Cooperative has programs in many diverse fields, it is reviewed by about 15 regulatory councils. By law, it must secure an annual independent audit.