8 Broadcaster Press September 15, 2015 www.broadcasteronline.com U.S. News & Education Panel Inches World Report Ahead Toward Teacher Salary Proposal Ranks USD Among Nation’s Best Something To Sit On BY DARIS HOWARD It was a big event in the small Wyoming town. They were building a new church building, and this was to be the ground breaking ceremony. It would serve the needs 80 per year and that might be inadequate. BY BOB MERCER of the people for multiple Not every teacher wants to teach in Sioux STATE CAPITOL BUREAU counties and would therefore Falls and not every teacher wants to teach be historical. It would also be PIERRE – Public school teachers in South in Burke, he said. a magnificent structure, set Jason Dilges, state commissioner of Dakota might see their salaries increase high on a hill where all could finance and management for the governor, $8,000 to $10,000 apiece over the course of see it, and the highest church said he wants to know what happened for three to five years under goals discussed leaders were going to be the immediate past five years. Dilges said Wednesday by the governor’s Blue Ribbon there to officiate. VERMILLION, S.D. – U.S. average alumni giving rates task force on teachers and students. the law of supply and demands almost There would be lots of News & World Report again and high school counselor always trumps everything else. But the panel of educators, legislators dignitaries there as well. The ranked the University of assessments. Last month an academic researcher and business people didn’t specifically mayors of multiple towns South Dakota among the Schools like USD in told the task force that teacher shortages identify the tax package to generate $80 were invited, along with the top national universities in the National Universities in math, science and English have been million to $100 million that would be councilmen. Sheriffs, county its 2016 guidebook released category offer a full common throughout the nation since the necessary. The members hope to move Wednesday, the 25th range of undergraduate 1950s because there is high turnover in the commissioners, and anyone closer to formal recommendations at the else of any influence planned consecutive year USD made majors as well as master’s profession. next meeting Oct. 1. to attend. Even the governor the list. and doctoral programs. Rep. G. Mark Mickelson, R-Sioux South Dakota ranked last nationally for of the state might be there, USD tied for 180th place, The colleges also are Falls, reminded members of that point average pay to public school teachers at along with many state legislaas did the University of committed to producing Wednesday. “We’re not unique. What we pay tors. Every person, from just over $40,000 during the past school North Dakota and University groundbreaking research. is unique,” he said. year. But even a $10,000 increase wouldn’t child to adult, that wanted to of New Mexico. “The U.S. News list is School administrators are using what’s be likely to move South Dakota up the attend, was invited. A person The 2016 edition the U.S. among the most respected ladder if the money was spread across three known as a plan of intent to cover holes in was welcome no matter their News guidebook includes sources of information for their staffing. Plans of intent allow teachers faith, or even if they had no years or more. data on nearly 1,800 prospective students, so to to work two years as instructors of courses faith at all. The state sales and use tax currently colleges and universities, be ranked among the best in is 4 percent on most purchases. Each 1 outside their professional training. Because it was expected including statistics on the country for 25 years in Javurek-Humig said most teachers in percent generates about $220 million, to draw thousands of people borrowing, costs and a row is a testament to the South Dakota hold full certifications for according to the state Bureau of Finance and be such a big event, graduation rates. The quality, affordable education and Management. everything they are teaching but plans committees were formed to rankings weigh the strength USD offers,” said James W. of intent can put teachers “outside their The task force also has been collecting get the word out and to try to of academic programs Abbott, USD president. comfort zones.” Use of plans of intent is information about whether South Dakota is accommodate the expected on up to 16 measures A full list of the rankings in a teacher shortage. Statistics presented growing, she said. crowd. Port-a-potties were of academic excellence, is available on newsstands Plans of intent increased from 548 in brought in and set up in the Wednesday showed South Dakota schools including average freshman and at www.usnews.com/ 2011 to 643 in 2014 and are expected to open field near where the covered 99 percent of their needs in the retention rates, SAT/ACT colleges. reach 758 this school year, she said. The building was to be built and past year but weren’t able to offer 240 scores, acceptance rates, number of teachers on the plans rose the ceremony was to take classes. during the same period from 315 in 2011 place. Water coolers were Abby Javurek-Humig, director for and 300 in 2012 to 329 in 2013 and 373 in borrowed from anyone who assessment and accountability in the state had one and was willing to 2014. Department of Education, delivered three loan it. These were filled and Armed with data, where the task force key findings: set on tables with stacks of might head in its deliberations at the One: “Over the course of the next five paper cups for those who next meeting Oct. 1 isn’t clear. Financial years, it is estimated that public schools in might need water on that hot information will be brought back, such as South Dakota will need an additional 3,059 summer day. estimates of costs and possible sources of teachers in order to meet the number of Every chair available tax revenue. teachers needed to maintain a 14:1 studentwas borrowed from schools, Some members want changes in the teacher ratio. state funding formula. Some want efficiency churches, and businesses. “This number includes a total of 1,024 But as the committee added requirements. Some want school boards teachers lost due to retirement; 601 up the number of chairs that to face new limits on the amounts of nonteachers due to estimated student growth; had been promised, they closest celestial beauty! BY CORTNEY REEDY obligated cash that they hold. Some want and 1,434 teachers leaving the field for If you have any quescompensation tied to mentoring. Some want knew they were going to be reasons other than retirement.” tions about the park or the Fall into fun at Good property-tax relief. Some want capital-outlay short, far short, of the numTwo: “(I)t can be estimated that these ber needed for the expected programs for this coming Earth State Park at Blood tax levies on property changed. sources combined will provide a potential crowd. They decided they Run! The air is crisp and the weekend, do not hesitate Don’t settle for average, said Aberdeen teacher pool of 3,459. would just have to rely on leaves are changing. Join us to give us a call at (605) superintendent Becky Guffin. “We should “This includes an estimated 1,721 people to bring their own. for programs that showcase 987-2263 or email newtonstrive to be extraordinary,” she said. teachers entering the profession through It was then turned over to hills@state.sd.us. More info university teacher preparation programs; the joys of fall! Earth, wind, The panel plans a final meeting Oct. 29 those on the publicity comfire, and water are the forces including an event schedule 1,403 educators prepared out-of-state who before delivering its report to Gov. Dennis mittee to get the word out. may also be found online that have sculpted Good Daugaard and the Legislature. come to South Dakota to teach; and 335 They wrote articles for every at www.gfp.sd.gov. If you Earth State Park. Come From that document, the governor and teachers who enter the profession through newspaper, did interviews would like to receive weekly either the Alternative Certification or Teach lawmakers will decide how to proceed in enjoy the various events on every radio station, and email updates on programthroughout the day includthe 2016 legislative session that opens Jan. for America programs.” even made sure every news ming at the park, like us ing a riddle hike, scavenger 12 and runs through March 29. Two-thirds And three: “The estimated supply of channel carried announceon Facebook, or send an hunt, and crafts on Saturmajorities in the House of Representatives teachers indicates the potential teacher ments about the event. And email to newtonhills@state. pool will be 400 more than the minimal fiveday, September 19th from and the Senate would be needed for tax with each article, interview, 11 am to 3 pm!! Then at 7:30 sd.us. The staff at Newton increases. year need.” or news announcement, they Hills and Good Earth looks pm come join the Tri-State “I think it’s important we admit Erik Person, the Burke school district’s made sure to mention that Astronomical Society for the forward to seeing you at the superintendent, said the 400 breaks down to teachers are underpaid,” said Sioux Falls the meeting might be long park this summer! International Observe the superintendent Brian Maher. and seating would be limited. Moon Night! Come view our “Bring anything and everything you have to sit on,” they said. “And if you have extra, please bring extra.” The day before the big Scan our QR code with your smart event occurred, the committee enlisted the young people phone and discover the Broadcaster of the valley to round up all Online! of the promised chairs. These were lined up in the field on the hill in nice, uniform rows. When the last of the chairs was set up, the committee counted them and found they had even fewer than they had hoped for. There was only enough for about half of the expected crowd. There was nothing they could do about it. They would just have Yankton Clinic: 260-0310 to hope that the word had Elk Point Clinic: 356-3317 gotten out and that people would bring something to Alcester Clinic: 934-2122 sit on. As the crowd started arDesign/Build • Fiber Cabling • Commercial • Residential riving, the chairs that were already set up filled quickly Service Calls • Boom Truck with Auger • Trenching with those who wanted to have a front row seat. But as Serving the time went on, more and more Beresford and 1221 Cornell St., Vermillion, SD • 605-624-5642 Vermillion Areas 201 NW 13th St., Ste. 3, Beresford, SD • 800-560-2518 people brought chairs to set up on the perimeter. However, there was something else the committee hadn’t th foreseen. The farther away people set up chairs, the less they were able to see of the TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING proceedings. And then something TREES FOR SALE Located: From Vermillion, SD at the corner of SD Hwys 50 & 19 (Holmes Welding happened that the commitEVERGREEN • SHADE • ORNAMENTAL tee hadn’t expected. What corner): West 5 1/2-miles on Timber Road or from Meckling, SD 4 miles South and 1 Yankton 605-260-1490 people brought to sit on ½-miles West or just East of the Bergen Lutheran Church. Sale site will be at Parcel 2. Hartington 402-254-6710 were horses. People rode PARCEL 1: Legal: Iverson Tract 3, SE1/4 NE1/4 SW1/ NE1/4 in Sec 15-92-53, Clay them into town, and trailers Serving Southeast SD & Northeast NE for 20 Years County, SD--South side of road--39.27 taxable acres. Taxes are $1,245.50. Soil types arrived filled with them. And Kent & Kyle Hochstein • Licensed Arborists include Hg and Ho with productivity ratings of 76% and 88%. it wasn’t just a few. They www.hartingtontree.com came by the ones and twos, PARCEL 2: Legal: Iverson Tract 4, NW1/4 NW1/4 in Sec 14-92-53, Clay County, and then by the dozens. By SD. 38.02 taxable acres. Taxes are $1,148.30. Soil types include Ow and Ho with the time the meeting was to productivity ratings of 81% to 88%. proceed, the whole gatherThe Clay County FSA Office shows both parcels 100% tillable with a CCC corn yield of ing was encircled by scores of people sitting on horses, 139bu and bean yield of 35 bu. Both parcels of land are excellent! A great opportunity giving a great view over the for investors and farmers to purchase a smaller tract of quality land. Call for a free, top of the crowd to each property information packet including maps. mounted person. TERMS: Each parcel will be sold separate and will not be tied together. 10% As the meeting time 517 OHIO STREET neared, the committee chairnonrefundable down payment due day of auction with balance due on closing of man apologized to the head WAKONDA, SD 57073 November 6, 2015. Possession on closing or after the crops have been harvested. church leader. “We really Both parcels will be sold subject to the 2016 lease. Each parcel receives $6,825 cash didn’t expect to have people rent with first half due on March 10, 2016 and 2nd half due on November 1, 2016. bring horses.” Title insurance and closing costs will be split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Clay The church leader just laughed. “Your announceCounty Abstract & Title Co is the closing agent. Seller will pay taxes through 12-31-15. ment did say to bring anyAuctioneers are acting as agents for the seller. thing a person had to sit on. What’s better than a horse?” Happy Happening At Good Earth State Park BE SMART. TODD’S ELECTRIC SERVICE “The Line To Power” 77.29 acres of Norway Township, Clay County Land @ WEDNESDAY October 7 SOLD IN 2 SEPARATE PARCELS 9:30 a.m. 1-800-560-2518 Hartington Tree LLC HERITAGE VILLA INDEPENDENT APARTMENTS JUNIOR IVERSON - OWNER GIRARD AUCTION & LAND BROKERS, INC. Marv Girard, BA; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE; Mike Girard, CAI, BA; Mike Manning BA; (605) 267-2421 Scott Moore, Auctioneer Toll Free: 1-866-531-6186 GirardAuction.com TWO-BEDROOM UNITS AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY (Handicapped accessible) TAKING APPLICATIONS UNTIL FILLED Please call Sadie Hansen, Business Office at 605-267-2081 Have a Great Day