16 Broadcaster Press January 26, 2016 www.broadcasteronline.com SD Gun Control the timing of Yankton County’s BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net recent spike in gun permits. The numbers seemed to jump in the wake of gun-related violence or The number of concealed concerns about gun ownership, carry gun permits soared last he said. year in Clay County, which “In October 2015, we had the may have been tied to national college shootings (in Oregon),” events. he said. “Then, in December, we Clay County Sheriff Andy had the San Bernardino shootHowe has noted the gradual ings, and the gun control issue increase in concealed carry was in the national media again. permits – with spikes during We had 102 permits issued in particular times. the month of December alone.” “People don’t tell us why The trend has continued in they are applying for a permit, and we don’t have a practice of the new year, Vlahakis said. “In the first week of 2016, we asking,” he said. “I would say issued approximately 30 conwe’ve seen an increase over time, but (we) often see a sharp cealed carry permits,” he said. While a direct link can’t be increase for a short time after media coverage of potential gun established, the high number of early January permits in Yanklaw changes.” ton County came at the same Howe’s office issued 230 time that President Obama permits in 2015, a sharp rise announced his new executive from the previous year. orders regarding gun safety. “We issued 176 permits in The orders seek to improve 2014, so we had a noticeable increase in 2015,” he said. “I ex- background checks on gun buypect the increase to continue in ers, community safety, mental 2016 based on the traffic we’ve health treatment and smart gun technology, according to the had these past few weeks.” Howe pointed to the contin- White House. The presidential campaign ued strong interest in the New and national conversation have Year. also heated up regarding fire“We issued 230 permits in 2015, which averages just (less arm safety, gun control, Second than) 4.5 per week,” he said. “In Amendment rights, terrorism and national security. contrast, this past week, we’ve In recent years, the higher received eight applications, so number of concealed carry perit would seem we’re on track mit seekers seems to match the right now to double our averdialogue at the time, Vlahakis age for 2015.” said. Howe reports interest in “In the years without another gun-related law. national debate on gun control, “I’ve had quite a few quesl we average issuing three to tions about the new enhanced seven concealed carry permits permit created last year but so far no applications,’ he said. “As per week,” he said. “When these more states come to accept our issues are in the forefront, applications increase.” enhanced permit, I expect to The number of concealed see more applications for (it).” Yankton County saw similar carry permits issued by the Yankton County sheriff’s office increases. rose from 357 in 2011 to 453 in The number of permits jumped from 387 in 2014 to 560 2012. Vlahakis noted 2012 ended in 2015, Yankton County sheriff with the Sandy Hook elemenJim Vlahakis said. “Our numbers have steadily tary school shootings in Connecticut, and the gun debate increased (in recent years),” continued into 2013. the sheriff said. “Each time The issuance of Yankton gun laws are in the national County concealed carry permits news, we have an increase in soared to 671 for 2013, with 192 applicants.” While he doesn’t survey per- in January alone. The number dropped to 387 in 2014, as the mit applicants, Vlahakis noted GUBBELS SALVAGE Wanted: • Old Cars • RV Motorhomes • Farm Machinery • Irrigation Systems • Any Type of Scrap Iron • Grain Bin Removal Paying Top Dollar Will Pick Up gun control debate calmed down, Vlahakis said. The sheriff’s office screens out ineligible applicants, Vlahakis said. “I end up denying a small handful each month due to applicants not meeting the requirement for eligibility for a concealed carry permit,” he said. “In most of those cases, it’s because they have an offense on their record that disqualifies them for the permit.” The Yankton County sheriff’s office has partnered with “Project ChildSafe.” The nationwide educational program promotes the safe storage of firearms in the home. “As part of this program, anyone can come to the sheriff’s office and receive gun locks for their firearms free of charge,” Vlahakis said. The Yankton County and Clay County numbers reflect statewide trends. Last week, South Dakota Secretary of State Shantel Krebs announced the state had seen a large increase in concealed carry weapon permits for 2015. “In the month of December alone, we (saw) the number of permits issued double from 1,423 in 2014 to 2,968 in 2015,” she said. “Our office expects this trend to continue while there are national security concerns and as long as restrictions to the Second Amendment are a top issue at the federal level.” The total number of new and renewal regular permits issued in South Dakota on an annual basis has doubled in the past decade, from 11,763 in 2006 to 22,554 in 2015. Follow @RDockendorf on Twitter. Buy Local! Shop the Classifieds! Education Reform BY RANDY DOCKENDORF randy.dockendorf@yankton.net Gov. Dennis Daugaard is taking his message of education funding reform across the state, including Monday’s stop in Yankton. In last week’s State of the State address, Daugaard proposed changing the funding system that has remained in place since 1996. A cornerstone of his plan calls for raising the state sales tax by a half-cent for education funding. The state sales tax has remained at 4 percent since 1969. Raising the state sales tax to 4.5 percent would create an additional $107 million annually. Of that amount, $67 million would go towards education. The remaining $40 million would go toward property-tax relief. On Monday, he spoke with the Press & Dakotan on how his plan would affect schools in the state and make them more attractive to new and veteran teachers. “This plan will make us more competitive with the six surrounding states (in recruiting and retaining educators),” he said. “We figure the halfcent (of additional sales tax) is the right amount for a teacher pay raise, but it’s more than we need for the raise. We made the other $40 million for propertytax relief and not additional spending, so we’re hoping legislators will agree to it.” He hopes, by raising the average South Dakota teacher pay to $48,500, it will ease a growing teacher shortage across the state among schools of all sizes. The state’s teachers currently receive an average salary of $40,000, ranking last in the nation. With the proposed pay raise, South Dakota would become even more competitive in recruiting teachers when considering the Rushmore State doesn’t have a state income tax and offers a lower cost of living, Daugaard said. Legislators are already criticizing the plan. Some lawmakers oppose any tax hike. Others don’t think the proposal goes YOUR RADIATOR HEADQUARTERS! • Great Parts • Great Warranty Towing Service & Roll-Off Dumpsters Available 1-402-640-6335 Coleridge, NE On-Hand & In-Stock! NO WAITING! 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Use The Broadcaster Classifieds! 624-4429 Vermillion Police Invite Community To Open House For “Law Enforcement Explorer Program” The Vermillion Police Department invites area youth and their families to an open house at Vermillion Middle School, Saturday, January 30th, 2016, from 1-4pm. The free open house is an opportunity to learn about the Vermillion Police Explorer Post 266, the VPD’s Law Enforcement Explorer Program for youth ages 14-20. Law enforcement officers from the VPD and the South Dakota Highway Patrol will provide demonstrations and answer questions about Vermillion Police Explorer Post 266 and careers in law enforcement. Demonstrations include a Police K-9 drug search, a detective processing a crime scene, and an accident reconstructionist investigating a mock crash. Youth and families can also experience the rollover stimulator in action, complete roadside DUI tests, and test out Fatal Vision goggles that simulate impaired driving. For more information, contact Sergeant Isaac Voss, ivoss@vermillionpd.org, 605-677-7070. LEGAL: The SE ¼ of the SE ¼ of Section 29, and the North ½ of the SE ¼ of Section 29 except the East 664’ of the South 664’ of the North 862’ thereof in 97-53 Turner County, SD. LOCATION: From Tract One located kitty corner to the northwest or at the jct. of 290th & 454th • 83.17 acres tillable with 19.14 acres in pasture/hayland that has trees, building site, cattle yards and the balance found in RROW. • Soil production rating of 77.6. Predominant soils include EganTrent loams (92) and Egan-Ethan (77). Excellent soils that provide predictable yield potential. • Approx. 50-acres in alfalfa 33.17 acres in soybeans in 2015. Property has 3-separate tiles that drain into the natural blue line in the pasture/hayland. • Improvements include a 30 X 128 Hog finish unit, 20 X 48 nursery barn, 4500 and 5000 bu. Storage bin, two cattle yards. Annual Taxes are $2,597.04. New buyer able to farm for 2016 crop year. Why settle the difference. Daugaard’s proposal includes reinstating caps on reserves, abolishing the pension levy, and making changes to the current capital outlay levy used for books, buildings, buses and other needs. Not all of the proposals involve state aid, Daugaard said. Other provisions include the expansion of e-learning, a mentoring program for first- and second-year teachers, a bonus for achieving National Board Certification and expanding voluntary shared services. The mentoring programs would prove valuable in retaining new teachers, particularly in smaller districts, Daugaard said. “Many teachers leave the profession within the first two or three years,” he said. “It would cost less to retain people than to train new teachers.” Daugaard based many of his proposals on the recommendations of his Blue Ribbon Task Force, which he created last year. The task force, whose members he appointed, included Beth Pietila of Yankton and District 21 Sen. Billie Sutton (D-Burke). The task force contained a variety of school officials, legislators and the general public, Daugaard said. In addition, the group included South Dakota Education Secretary Melody Schopp and Daugaard chief of staff Tony Venhuizen. Daugaard commended the task force and its findings. “People thought that the Blue Ribbon was a distraction, that we needed more immediate action. But the most fruitful approach was to use a study group,” he said. “We had anecdotal things (when it came to school funding). It was like a canary in a coal mine. Now, the data supports or refutes the anecdotes.” The task force helped refute the idea that South Dakota schools generally spend too much on administration, the governor said. South Dakota districts generally spend an amount on administration comparable to the national average in terms of budget percentage, he added. South Dakota ranks 41st in per-student expenditures based on U.S. Census data. South Dakota spends $8,470, compared to $15,700 in Wyoming; $11,980 in North Dakota; $11,579 in Nebraska, $11,089 in Minnesota; $10,625 in Montana and $10,313 in Iowa. Daugaard noted his plan isn’t just about spending more money on education. His proposal calls for spending more efficiently and making South Dakota more competitive when it comes to teacher pay. Otherwise, the demand for teachers will far outstrip the available supply, he said. “We need a new teaching pipeline,” he added. “We’re hoping to recruit more teachers with better pay. The intention is to become competitive and to remain competitive.” Follow @RDockendorf on Twitter. Vermillion Police Invite Community To Open House For “Law Enforcement Explorer Program” LEGAL: The N ½ of the NW ¼ of Section 33 except Larsen Tract 1 thereof, 97-53 Turner County, South Dakota. LOCATION: From Viborg, SD go ½ mile north on Hwy. 19 turn on 290th St. go 1 ½ miles west, south side of the road or near the junction of 290th and 454th Ave. • 70.82 acres tillable balance in RROW. Bordered to the north and west by gravel township roads • Soil production rating of 74.7. Predominant soils are EganEthan and Ethan-Egan complex • Currently seeded to alfalfa in 3rd year of production. Low spots have received 8” drain tile, creating a super producing clean tract of land. • Annual taxes $1,613.58. New buyer to receive full possession at closing and able to farm for 2016 crop year. DUANE E. LARSEN ESTATE - OWNER MIKE LARSON & JANET KLINKHAMMER – PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES far enough. However, Daugaard remains confident his plan will become reality. “I think we’re politically able to do it,” he said. He added that he didn’t think a one-cent tax increase – proposed by some lawmakers – would pass. Daugaard’s plan contains one proposal that has raised a red flag for Yankton and other area school districts. Outside income would be treated as part of the local effort, not as funding received above the current state aid. Those outside sources include a gross receipts tax on utilities, local revenue in lieu of taxes, county apportionment of revenue from traffic fines, county revenue in lieu of taxes, wind farm tax and bank franchise tax. The Yankton School District receives outside income which it would lose after five years under the proposal. In addition, the loss of wind farm taxes has concerned area districts which have or are anticipating wind energy operations. Daugaard’s plan calls for a five-year phase-out of those other incomes, allowing district to make budget adjustments. Educators generally applaud Daugaard’s effort to raise teacher pay. However, his plan has drawn concerns from schools of all sizes. Small schools fear it may force consolidation, while larger schools wonder what it means for their funding and programs. The governor said his plan isn’t intended to force or encourage consolidation, although districts may want to consider it as an option. Under the governor’s proposal, the state aid formula would suggest – but not require – student-teacher ratios based on a school’s enrollment. The student-teacher target ratio would stand at 15-1 for schools with more than 600 students; 12.5-1 for schools with fewer than 200 students; and a sliding scale for schools enrolling between 200-600 students. When asked how school should reduce staff to meet ratios, Daugaard said staff reductions are not mandated. In addition, districts are not required to take immediate action. “It simply means it’s one of the reasons why the amount of money that is available (may not) get your teacher salaries up to where you are competitive,” he said. “You have to be more deliberate over time (as staff members) retire or leave to take another job. As you see those opportunities, then, rather than filling that spot, you combine a couple of units or use distance learning. “Or, you say to Vermillion, let’s talk to Gayville-Volin and see if we could share a math teacher. You use things like that to gradually, over time, work your ratios down to the point where the funding you get, pays your salaries to reach your target so you’re competitive.” School districts will still control the dollars they receive, the governor said. However, the new formula carries the expectation that schools use new additional funds for salaries. School will be expected to make significant progress toward the target salary. 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