SD Lawmakers Approve $6 Million Extra For Schools

The South Dakota Legislature has approved spending more than $6 million to provide a one-time boost in state aid to school districts and technical schools.

The House voted 65-3 to approve the spending measure, which was passed earlier by the Senate. It will become law if signed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard.

In the overall state budget, the governor has recommended a 3 percent ongoing increase in state aid to school districts and funding for the four technical institutes.

The bill spends $5.8 million to give school districts an extra 1 percent increase in aid, equal to about $45 per student. It also would give the four technical schools an extra $200,000. Another $250,000 goes to Teach for America, an organization that provides teachers for schools in low-income areas.