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Office of Gov. Dennis Daugaard
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605-773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 11, 2016
CONTACT: Tony Venhuizen or Kelsey Pritchard at 605-773-3212
EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: For audio from the Governor on the education reform bills, visit news.sd.gov/media.aspx and click on “Audio” under “Governor Dennis Daugaard.”
Gov. Daugaard Signs Education Reform Bills
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed the components of his education proposal – House Bill 1182, Senate Bill 131 and Senate Bill 133 – into law today.
“I thank legislators for partnering with me to pass this historic package of legislation. Thanks to their support, South Dakota will no longer be in last place for teacher pay and we will be able to better compete with our surrounding states,” said Gov. Daugaard. “This is going to make all the difference for our students whose achievement depends upon a good workforce of teachers.”
HB 1182 increases the sales tax by a half-penny and dedicates $36 million for property tax relief. The new revenue will increase South Dakota’s average teacher salary from $40,000 by setting a target average of $48,500. Individual teacher salary levels will be set by local school districts. The bill requires school districts to use at least 85 percent of new funds for teacher pay or benefits.
SB 131 reforms the school funding formula to increase transparency and accountability. The bill also imposes new caps on school general reserve funds and on the growth of capital outlay levies.
SB 133 includes a number of proposals to recruit and retain more teachers and to create new opportunities for school efficiency.
The education reform bills can be viewed online at legis.sd.gov.
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