SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — In her budget address, Governor Kristi Noem recommended one of the smallest increases for education funding since 2017. A 1 point 25 percent increase in education funding caught some by surprise.
South Dakota ranks 44th in expenditures per student. Since 2020 the legislature has followed the Governor’s recommendation for education funding except for one year.
In 2020 it was a two percent increase, in 2021 2.4, in 2022 6 percent, in 2023 Noem recommended a 5 percent increase, but lawmakers increased it to 7 percent and in 2024 the increase was 4 percent. The latest recommendation from the Governor at 1.25 percent could mean some belt-tightening.
“When the CPI which is what the codified law calls for, it calls for a 2.4 or a 2.6 percent increase, and we end up getting a 1.25 if that comes to pass it really does make it difficult to make any kind of inroads,” said Harrisburg Superintendent Tim Graf.
Lawmakers like Representative Greg Jamison of Sioux Falls say it’s back to reality for the state budget. The Covid dollars are gone and tax revenue is flat, which means less money to allocate.
“Overall the entire budget is lean, there’s further cuts to come, said Jamison.
According to Jamison, many lawmakers will be looking for money to fund the programs they support.
“All of us want to fund education fully as best we can but the money has got to come from somewhere,” said Jamison.
The Governor proposed the creation of a 4 million dollar education savings account program, which she says would offer 3-thousand dollars per student toward private school tuition. Graff says that money could go a long ways in funding public education.
“I think more than anything lets not start programs at a time when funding is tight. And that 54 million on top of the 5 million while we’re not being fully funded in really a tough time,” said Graf.
Meanwhile, Jamison says a lot can change between now and the end of the legislative session. So a funding level higher than the Governor’s 1.25 percent increase is still possible.
“So this number could change even though the Governor is a strong opponent if the majority of the legislature wants to change that to two percent or three, it wouldn’t be a surprise,” said Jamison.
The 100th legislative session in Pierre begins January 14th.
