Madison Central has two more teaching positions it can reduce through attrition if it wants to. Husband and wife teaching duo Mat and Wendy Nelson have notified the school district that they are leaving to work in Minnesota. Wendy teaches third grade and coaches volleyball and track; Mat teaches sixth-grade science and coaches girls' basketball, track, and football. Together, they make $85,039.
$85K is pretty good household income in Madison, where median hosuehold income is under $37K. But these educated DSU grads apparently see better prospects in Mat's home state, where amidst tough economic times, the Republican legislature and Democratic governor are still finding the money to increase K-12 funding.
I'm curious: can anyone find numbers on the number of South Dakota teachers who move to Minnesota and the number of Minnesota teachers who come our way?
Cory,
As a native of South Dakota who came back to the state five years ago after 20 years in education in Nebraska, I think the SD K-12 education system is falling further behind. That is why I am taking a job in another state.
Unfortunately, the migration of educators to other states is just starting. It's not just the salary issue...it is the lack of funding for programs and even supplies. Many schools are cutting programs. This has a direct impact on students and their educational opportunities. Educational opportunity and course offering will become a big issue for SD parents with kids of school age. I think SD will see more student mobility through open enrollment because schools will be forced to drop academic programs because of a lack of resources. I hope the state will start looking at education as an investment in the future instead of an obligation like a utility bill or car payment.
Tony Simons
Elkton, SD