This bill amends existing laws to ensure that the Department of Education is responsible for compensating teachers employed by school districts in South Dakota. It modifies Section 13-10-2 to clarify that while school boards can employ necessary personnel and define their duties, they cannot exceed the district's target teacher ratio factor as established in Section 13-13-10.1. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Education will pay the salaries and benefits of teachers, with a benefits package that must equal at least twenty-nine percent of the teacher's salary. The South Dakota Board of Education Standards is tasked with creating a salary schedule that reflects various factors, including the demand for the teacher's area of certification, their highest degree, additional credit hours, and years of experience.

Furthermore, the bill repeals several sections related to local effort and adjustments in levies that previously governed the relationship between local need and state aid. It establishes a new framework for calculating state aid based on the target teacher salary and benefits, ensuring that funding aligns with the needs of school districts while maintaining a consistent approach to teacher compensation. The changes aim to enhance the financial support for teachers and ensure that school districts adhere to established teacher ratios, ultimately improving the educational environment in South Dakota.

Statutes affected:
Introduced, 01/29/2026: 13-10-2, 13-13-10.1, 13-13-73, 13-13-71, 13-13-72, 13-13-72.1, 13-13-81, 13-13-82, 13-13-83