South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has suggested a 4% boost in state aid to education for fiscal year 2025, affecting teacher salaries and various education components in the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.
Currently at 7% for FY24, the proposed increase would mark a cumulative rise of over 26% since Noem assumed office in FY19.
Local school districts express gratitude for the proposed increase, citing inflation considerations.
Despite a steady growth in average teacher salaries, the state has yet to meet the targeted teacher salary set annually since 2016 as part of a broader effort to improve South Dakota’s national ranking in teacher pay.