Education

HB 1239 requires South Dakota's Department of Education to pay the full salary and benefits for all teachers employed by public school districts, replacing the previous system where districts covered these costs. The bill establishes a state-mandated salary schedule that must include increases based on a teacher's certification demand, highest degree, and years of experience, with benefits set at a minimum of 29% of salary. It also limits school districts from exceeding a target teacher ratio factor (calculated by enrollment size) without state approval. This directly affects all South Dakota public school districts and their teaching staff by shifting funding responsibility to the state.