SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The South Dakota Board of Education approved increasing instructor salaries at the state's four technical schools to market value.
Tiffany Sanderson with the Department of Education the legislature approved $3 million to be distributed by formula.
Sanderson describes market value as the target pay, in the middle of the range, for a fully trained and competent, qualified instructor both in their technical field and as an instructor.
She says they have all the requirements that the technical institute and industry demand of someone in that position. It represents someone who is really skilled and at a supervisor level in the industry. So they meet the performance and expectations across all lines.
Sanderson says instructors who have little experience, or have room for growth, shouldn't be compensated at market value. She says they have some room yet to move towards the midpoint of the range.
The funding is part of the half-penny increase in the state sales tax for teacher pay. The lion's share goes to K-12 teachers.