Post by Logan on Mar 28, 2016 22:54:04 GMT -6
Teacher pay increase boosts spirits and wallets of South Dakota educators
GARRETSON, S.D. — She’s a former Minnesotan teaching in South Dakota.
For years, that would mean a lot less money in pay — likely a whole bunch — as South Dakota has ranked dead last in average teacher salaries at 51st, while Minnesota has ranked consistently in the top 10 along with other neighboring states Iowa and Wyoming. North Dakota has raised its pay, too, causing more consternation for teachers to the south.
However, it will be a little less painful for Garretson teacher Kelsey Buchholz and about 9,000 other South Dakota teachers after Gov. Dennis Daugaard coaxed state legislators earlier this year to approve a half-cent increase in the state sales tax to pay for a $67 million pay and benefit boost for teachers.
“I’ve been a classroom teacher for more than 30 years and I wondered if anything would ever happen,” said South Dakota Education Association President Mary McCorkle of Mobridge. “We were simply 51st year after year after year. I think we all finally decided that 51st wasn’t acceptable anymore and we didn’t want it to define who we are.”
Read more: bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/teacher-pay-increase-boosts-spirits-and-wallets-of-south-dakota/article_cc582248-9a2d-5626-853f-40af41887705.html
GARRETSON, S.D. — She’s a former Minnesotan teaching in South Dakota.
For years, that would mean a lot less money in pay — likely a whole bunch — as South Dakota has ranked dead last in average teacher salaries at 51st, while Minnesota has ranked consistently in the top 10 along with other neighboring states Iowa and Wyoming. North Dakota has raised its pay, too, causing more consternation for teachers to the south.
However, it will be a little less painful for Garretson teacher Kelsey Buchholz and about 9,000 other South Dakota teachers after Gov. Dennis Daugaard coaxed state legislators earlier this year to approve a half-cent increase in the state sales tax to pay for a $67 million pay and benefit boost for teachers.
“I’ve been a classroom teacher for more than 30 years and I wondered if anything would ever happen,” said South Dakota Education Association President Mary McCorkle of Mobridge. “We were simply 51st year after year after year. I think we all finally decided that 51st wasn’t acceptable anymore and we didn’t want it to define who we are.”
Read more: bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/teacher-pay-increase-boosts-spirits-and-wallets-of-south-dakota/article_cc582248-9a2d-5626-853f-40af41887705.html