Ed funding measure passes. Now what?

Pat Powers

As I slip back out of here the same way I slipped into town; like the stealthy ninja I am, the education funding bill has passed.

Democrat Dennis Feickert switched his vote over to NO, while Republicans Josh Klumb and Scott Craig switched their votes to yes, allowing for the extra one vote the measure needed to pass with a two thirds majority.

So, where do we think things will go now? Will there be a stringent package of requirements upon school districts for use of the money for teacher salaries? or will they allow more latitude for local control?

Let us know what you think about today.

26 thoughts on “Ed funding measure passes. Now what?”

  1. Based on the argument for this bill to pass, the local districts MUST use this for teacher salaries. Otherwise the whole reasoning behind this bill is moot. I listened to the arguments against this particular bill, and I feel they are solid arguments. I knew it would pass, however, and the legislators were just allowing a faux debate to satisfy constituents or themselves. Well, it didn’t satisfy this taxpayer.

  2. The only reason I supported 1182 (the first sales tax increase I have ever supported) is because of the companion bill that required the additional money to be used for teacher salaries (not on buildings, administrators, or new programs).

    The money better go to teacher salaries or the legislature and school districts will have a heck of a lot to answer for.

    1. Even with the 20 percent pay increase, the other reasons given for passing this bill simply won’t happen. There won’t be any jump in applicants for science and math jobs, because their numbers are low nationwide already. And across-the-board raises won’t affect retention, because people make life choices on careers and where to live on much more than salaries.

      We forget that workplace environment is crucial, and more pay doesn’t change that. Schools will still be stifling zero-tolerance, hyper-politicized, deeply dysfunctional places modeled on 19th century Prussian industrialized cookie-cutter bureaucracy. All the money and caring in the world can’t help this.

      Think of it this way: Education is the VA for children. Students ultimately are ill-served by such a system.

      2. The education industry has figured out that failing to teach math ends up rewarding them.
        Students who don’t know how to make change turn into voters who can be suckered into throwing more money at them.

  5. If the money is only for teachers then why is the Argus saying only 85% of the monies from this tax increase is for teachers and an undisclosed portion of that for tech schools?

  6. What next? A sales tax increase that won’t filter much to teachers unless it can crawl out of the black hole of the Pierre’s pockets. There will be an excuse too for local schools to cut teachers, since the plan included sending people to the soup line so bigger increases can be had by the others. In reality though; what now? A tax increase and in a couple years we’ll still be at the bottom of states paying teachers. SDEA and TammanyCorn Hall will have a victory to parade over though hollow it may be. That says something though.

  8. 1) really smart of the ed lobbyists (i.e.governor)to make the house pass a tax bill without the policy attached. Really dumb of the House to do it.
    2) taxpayers get screwed again by this conservative government.
    3) smaller schools are going to panic when they figure out what they’ll have to do to get this free money.
    4) teachers won’t see a $8500 raise like they all believe. They will be back in 3 years whining.
    5) This will haunt the supposed inevitable ascension of the wanna be governor.
    6) obamacare and tax increases in one year. Doubly Disturbing.
    7) there should be primaries across the republican ranks for overruling the citizen vote 4 years ago.
    8) the tactics by the ed lobby (i.e. governor) were sad. Providers being told they would take a cut if their tax didn’t pass? Really? Providers were calling legislators on a tax increase for teachers?
    9) Tribal schools will take a hit. Afraid to tell ya, you aren’t in on this free money which will create more income disparity for those schools.
    10) SD has officially shed a longstanding view on taxes. Wide and small. These people just increased taxes on 800,000 specifically for 11,000 (who won’t see it anyway).

    Not a legacy to be proud of.

    2. Like button Grudz.

      We’ll see the SD comparative Jeb! Campaign in 2018. All the dough and name recognition in the world can’t fix this.

  10. Wow you republicans voted for a tax increase, about like Thune saying he is conservative and voting for subsidies for farmers and bailing out big banks,take lots of photo ops.

  11. I’m assuming all the people saying Republicans never raise taxes on here aren’t Ronald Reagan fans…or they don’t know their history. I’m guessin it’s the latter.

  12. We passed a tax! Now, let’s wait for the governor and senate to send over the policy bills so we know what’s in this deal! – SD House / Nancy Pelosi

      1. Apparently these bills were already drafted before the results of the Blue or whatever task force results were in. Talk about the “fix is in.”

  13. There are two other pieces of legislation that need to pass before there will be any changes

    One bill changed the school funding formula the other sets up mentoring and sharing of services (among other things)

    I would like to add some kind of language that school districts be audited once a year to ensure money is going to teacher pay; and some kind of review by the legislature and the blue ribbon task force in 2 years to so to review the program and make it is having the desired effect, and maybe reconsider the tax increase if teacher pay doesn’t improve or the effect isn’t positive for education.

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