School officials concerned about budget proposal

YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – A budget proposal from South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to freeze state aid to school payments at last year’s level is raising concern among school district officials.

Yankton School Superintendent Wayne Kindle says there was a compromise reached in 2016.

In exchange for a half cent increase in the state sales tax, schools gave up control of several funds they had controlled.

Kindle says the law calls for an increase in state aid each year.

School districts have to raise teacher pay each year to meet accountability goals. Kindle says a state aid freeze makes that more difficult.

Legislators will ultimately write the budget before the 2020 session wraps up next March.