As a supplement to our discussion of the teacher shortage and the Legislature's and Governor's keen desire not to focus on teacher pay as a solution, I offer the average starting salaries for teachers in the seven-state region (in the 2012–2013 school year):
| Avg Start Salary | Avg Salary | |
| Wyoming | $43,269 | $57,920 |
| Minnesota | $34,505 | $56,268 |
| Iowa | $33,226 | $51,528 |
| North Dakota | $32,019 | $47,344 |
| Nebraska | $30,844 | $48,931 |
| South Dakota | $29,851 | $39,580 |
| Montana | $27,274 | $49,999 |
| Nat'l Avg | $36,141 | $56,383 |
The disparity between South Dakota's starting salary and the amount available out-state isn't as drastic as the disparity between average salaries. We might even have some leverage in recruiting Montana grads to come make $2,600 more during their first year. But if they want to clear $30K a year and grab a rung on a tall long-term salary ladder, they head somewhere besides Montana and South Dakota.
On the bright side, on starting salary, we're not the worst. We're only second-worst. Yay.
And remember boys and girls, when the legislators and their crime boss say they are gonna lower taxes, that means that they are stealing from you. They are taking away government services that benefit you and your children. They are taking away education and they are taking away medical treatment. Hey, lets put and end to the thievery starting with the head of the criminal enterprise and working our way down the snake.
When did we pull ahead by one?
Yay! We're 49th!!!
We're Not#50!
We're Not#50!
We're Not#50!
Yay team!
(How embarrassing.)