SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - A study indicates that a drop in state
aid has prompted public schools in South Dakota to cut budgets by
more than $38 million and eliminate the equivalent of 465 full-time
jobs.
The survey released by the Associated School Boards of South
Dakota says the lost jobs include 266 teaching and 28
administrative positions. The others were jobs ranging from
secretaries to custodians.
Wade Pogany with the school boards group says many schools are
in "survival mode" due to the 6.6 percent reduction in state aid,
using such tactics as spending reserves or asking school district
residents to opt out of the state property tax freeze. He says
schools increasingly are relying on local property taxes rather
than the state to fund education.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard says the job losses are unfortunate but
schools are still doing their jobs.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-11-17-11 0717EST
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