Search Bills

Amend the programs reimbursing a teacher or school counselor for earning national board certification.

South Dakota is eliminating its reimbursement programs that helped teachers and school counselors pay for national board certification exams and fees. The bill removes state funding that previously covered application and examination costs for National Board Certification, as well as annual $2,000 stipends ($1,000 from the state and $1,000 from school districts) that certified counselors received.

Permit merit pay as a component of teacher compensation.

This bill allows school districts to offer merit pay to teachers on top of their regular salary, in addition to what they earn based on their education level, years of experience, and certification demand. School boards will have the authority to decide how much merit pay to award teachers. The bill establishes that teacher salary schedules must continue accounting for education credentials and experience, but now permits performance-based bonuses as an additional compensation option.

Enhance education in South Dakota.

SB 197 is a symbolic statement rather than a specific law change—it declares that the Legislature intends to enhance education in South Dakota but provides no actual mechanisms, funding, or requirements to accomplish this goal. The bill contains no amendments to existing education law, no new rules, and no concrete actions, making it essentially a non-binding expression of legislative intent without substantive legal effect.

Make an appropriation for a student teacher stipend grant program.

South Dakota is setting aside $500,000 to help school districts pay stipends (bonus payments) to student teachers working in their classrooms. School districts can apply for grants of up to $5,000 each during July and August each year, which must go toward paying student teachers who hold the proper permits from the Department of Education.