An amendment that would have provided schools with a 3.4 percent increase in state aid was killed by the Joint Appropriations committee on Friday.

 

On a 14-4 vote, committee members defeated the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 187, which is the general fund bill. Appropriators are putting the finishing touches on the general fund bill.

 

Rep. Jacqueline Sly, who introduced the amendment, said schools are still “facing a challenge” following the state aid freeze and budget cuts in 2010 and 2011, respectively. She said schools have cut programs, increased class sizes, seen an increase in health insurance costs and teacher salaries remain stagnant.

 

The amendment would have set the per-student allocation at $4,783, which Rep. Sly said could help ease the consternation of school district officials.

 

“It’s one step we can take…to address the concerns and challenges our schools face,” Rep. Sly.

 

With the defeat of the 3.4 percent amendment, as well as the $4,805 amendment, schools are on track to receive a three percent increase to state aid.

 

Proposed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard, the increase would set the PSA at $4,764 for the 2014-15 school year. State law requires an increase in funding of three percent or the change in CPI-W, whichever is less, and the CPI-W change came in at 1.6 percent this year.

 

For updates on the conclusion of the FY15 budget process, check the ASBSD Blog.