South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard proposed a two percent increase to state aid for schools for next year during his budget address on today (12/2).

 

The increase equates to approximately $96 more per-student, which would bring per-student allocation to approximately $4877 for the 2015-16 school year. The potential increase to $4,877 would eclipse the PSA’s previous high point of $4,805 in 2011, before schools took an 8.6 percent cut in funding.

 

The rate of inflation came in at 1.5 percent, which would have been the minimum increase to state funding required by state law.

 

“This is a good starting point for talking about state aid for schools,” ASBSD Executive Director Wade Pogany said.

 

“There’s a long legislative session still to come. We hope in that time we can find a solution to the teacher shortage that’s facing our schools and we know the more dollars for schools means a better chance to recruit and retain teachers.”

 

Gov. Daugaard said to provide the two percent increase instead of 1.5 percent, changes will be proposed to sparcity and technology payments for schools. No details were provided on the proposed changes.

 

“We’re going to study those potential changes carefully and see how it affects our schools,” Pogany said. “Right now, we have a starting point for discussion and we’re looking forward to having productive discussions with the Governor’s office and our legislators.”