(SDBA)- South Dakota House members sent a message to school boards this week (Feb. 20, 2024): When they appropriate money targeted at increasing teacher salaries, they want it used for that purpose.
The House passed HB1048 58 to 9.
The House’s sponsor, Republican Representative Mike Stevens from Yankton, a former school board member, explained the bill sets the minimum teacher salary at $45,000. Total compensation would go up yearly based on the same percentage the legislature sets. This year, that could be 4%.
Stevens says 75% of South Dakota schools currently meet the benchmark. Thirty-seven schools do not. Of those, 14 are less than $1,000 under the benchmark. The bill would require districts to hit the $45,000 mark starting July 1, 2026.
Stevens and other proponents say despite a tax increase in 2016 to fund teacher salaries, the state’s teachers rank between 48th and 50th worst paid in the nation.
Republican Representative Kevin Jensen from Canton, also a former school board member, opposed the bill. He said he supported teachers, but several districts in the state are seeing declining enrollments, thus making budgeting difficult. Jensen added that school administrators he’s talked to across the state oppose the bill.
Legislators testified that not only are some small school districts seeing enrollment declines, but it’s also happening in large districts like Aberdeen and Rapid City.
The bill now heads to a Senate committee for further consideration.
By Todd Epp, South Dakota Broadcasters Association.
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