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Kaylee Grayson

February 14th 2016


Half Penny Tax for Education
Governor Daugaard is proposing a half cent sales tax increase to generate
funds to be used to increase teacher pay. This would raise about $107 million and
allow the state to increase teacher salaries. South Dakota currently ranks last in the
nation in average teacher salaries. Teachers in South Dakota are currently
averaging $40,000 per year. With this sales tax increase average salaries would
increase to $48,500. Daugaard stated This is the year. This is the year to get out
of last place. This is the year to act. Lets join together this year to strengthen our
schools and keep our promise to the next generation.
When he proposed the plan it was applauded by educators but then was
criticized by members of Daugaards own party. The reason for their criticism was
because they do not think that the schools will actually use that funding towards
teacher pay but rather for other expenses that the school would have. The article
states that it is hard to recruit and retain qualified teachers, there was conversation
that if this problem did not get fixed sooner rather than later the problem would
grow worse.
The key to student achievement is an effective teacher. Daugaard made
this statement as well as stating that South Dakotas salaries are lowest in the
nation and have been for decades. The only way for this problem to get fixed is to
increase teacher salaries. This bill is hard to pass, legislators tried to pass a bill that
would increase sales tax last year that would help fix roads that never passed.
Some legislators are not sure that if they increase the sales tax the money will
actually be used to pay the teachers.
I do not fully agree with the concept of a higher sales tax because sale tax
increases affect lower income families disproportionately. Lower income families
will pay a higher percentage of their income towards sales taxes than upper income
families. However any proposal that aims to increase teacher pay is worth
consideration. Many students that are getting a degree in education leave the state
as soon as they graduate due to the reputation South Dakota has for low teacher

pay. They are looking for better paying jobs in different states. The state is having a
hard time attracting new teachers and veteran teachers are leaving their positions
due to retirement. This is leaving job openings in South Dakota and no one to fill
those jobs.
There are at least two other proposals being considered to generate
additional funds for teacher salaries, they both have some merit as well. One plan
is to increase sales taxes by one percent, the other is to move existing funds held
by school districts. I would support any of these proposals if they do in fact increase
teacher pay. It is now up to South Dakota lawmakers to review each proposal, listen
to educators opinions, and then choose the option that is most beneficial for South
Dakota teachers. Since I will be graduating with a teaching degree very soon, the
outcome of this issue affects me directly and I hope a solution will be found so that
staying in South Dakota is an option for me after graduation.
Ferguson, Dana. "Daugaard Calls for Half-penny Sales Tax." Daugaard Calls for Half-penny
Sales Tax. N.p., 13 Jan. 2016. Web.

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