Associated School Boards of South Dakota

June21: Supreme Court sides with S.D. in online sales tax collection

South Dakota earned victory in the argument over online sales tax collection. In a 5-4 decision, members of the U.S. Supreme Court sided with South Dakota in its challenge that states can collect sales tax from online retailers. The high court’s decision comes two months after Attorney General Marty Jackley presented the state’s case

June20: Teacher Compensation Review Board meets for first time

The board charged with studying South Dakota’s progress on teacher pay convened for the first time on Wednesday (6/20). Members of the Teacher Compensation Review Board, which was established in 2016 as part of legislation that overhauled the state’s funding formula, began their review of teacher compensation, including comparable wage indexes in surrounding states.

April28: ASBSD Board meets for first time in 2018

After February’s scheduled board meeting was postponed due to winter weather, the ASBSD Board of Directors opened their 2018 meeting schedule in Sioux Falls last week (4/20-21) covering a litany of topics and honoring three fellow members for their service on the board. Deuel School Board President Debbe Koenecke was presented a plaque for

April24: State’s teacher pay improves national ranking

South Dakota’s teacher pay climbed the national ladder according to a recent study. The National Education Association’s 2018 Rankings and Estimates report cited South Dakota’s average teacher salary of $46,979 in 2016-17 brought the state from 51st in the nation to 48th. The state’s average teacher salary rose by nearly $5,000 from 2015-16 to 2016-17,

April03: Extraordinary cost fund tabbed for interim study

An area of school funding will be studied by the legislature in this year’s interim. Members of the legislature’s Executive Board voted unanimously to study the state’s extraordinary cost fund, which districts can apply for to receive additional funding for special education costs. “This fund is getting hit pretty hard,” Rep. Hugh Bartels

March19: SFAB reviews latest waiver process

The focus of the waiver process turns to general fund cash balance in 2018. Last year, members of the School Finance Accountability Board acted on teacher compensation waivers and at their first meeting of the year (3/12), the board took a look at the general fund cash balance waiver process. “I know that

March08: Gov. gets look at cap outlay obligations bill

The governor will get a look at a bill adjusting capital outlay caps. Senators passed House Bill 1297, which revises certain provisions regarding capital outlay obligations, on a 33-1 vote. HB 1297 permit districts to raise their C/O levy to a level necessary to cover their capital outlay obligations and allows them to utilize

March07: Bill permitting Appropriators to act on waivers on to Gov.

A bill providing appropriators more options when it comes to acting on accountability waivers got through to the governor. Senators passed an amended House Bill 1166, which provides the Joint or Interim Appropriations committee the power to approve, amend or deny teacher compensation waivers, on a 30-3 vote. An amendment added on the Senate floor adds a step

March01: Bill providing appropriators leeway on waivers reaches Senate floor

A bill providing appropriators more decision making ability on waivers is a step closer to law. On a 6-3 vote, Senate appropriators approved House Bill 1166, which provides the Joint or Interim Appropriations committee the power to approve, amend or deny teacher compensation waivers. Sen. Justin Cronin told committee members the bill came about following the past year’s

February24: Accountability adjustment bills falter on floors

Two bills aimed at adjusting accountability faltered on their respective chamber floors last week (2/22). On a 32-34 vote, Representatives defeated House Bill 1128, which revises certain provisions regarding increases in teacher compensation. HB 1128 required school districts to meet the teacher compensation accountability standard by increasing salaries by 65 percent of the actual percentage provided