Gov. Kristi Noem wants to make sure her proposed increases in education funding go toward teacher salaries.
The Republican governor said she’s working with the head of the education department to change that.
Noem wants to give a four percent increase in funding to education.
Funding for that sector is typically tied to state employee salaries and community health providers. Funding for those three are typically one of the last big budget items negotiated every year.
During her speech on Tuesday, Noem said average salaries have not kept up with recent increases to education.
“Since I took office, and with this 4% proposal, we will have increased state funding for our K-12 schools by 26.3%. But actual average teacher salaries have lagged far behind,” Noem said. “Why should we continue to send money to school administrators and school boards when they do not pass it along to teachers?”
Noem said she’s going to bring ideas to the legislature about how to bring up teacher salaries.
“Our teachers do incredible things for our kids – and they deserve a paycheck that reflects that," Noem added.
The National Education Association ranks South Dakota teacher compensation at 49th in the nation at $50,592.
A recent report by the South Dakota School Finance Accountability Board shows teachers make an average of about $3,000 more, at $53,217.
“We’re starting to gain, again," said Loren Paul, the president of the SDEA.
Teacher salaries are up nine percent from 2017. That increase is partly due to FY 2023's six percent bump in pay for education.
Paul said we won’t know the full effect of FY 2024's seven percent increase until this time next year.
“It’s important that increase goes to the educators to move that average up,” Paul said.
Officials with South Dakota School Superintendents and Associated School Boards also applaud the governor's proposed budget.
"We are genuinely grateful to the Honorable Gov. Kristi Noem for proposing a budget that includes legislation acknowledging national inflation," the two organizations said in a statement.
State lawmakers gavel in on Jan. 9 for the start of legislative session.
