As an organization that strives to deliver the highest quality public education, the South Dakota Education Association is extremely interested in the findings from the recently submitted report by the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force.

President Mary McCorkle says one component of the process immediately stands out. “This is the first time that such a diverse group has come together and said very publicly and in recommendations to the Governor, ‘Fifty-first in teaching salary is no longer acceptable.’”

However, the implementation of what the Task Force submitted could take about three years. McCorkle believes that is a realistic goal.

“If I had a magic wand and I could make revenue appear immediately, I would do it for the next school year,” says McCorkle. “I’m not that naïve. I know that we did not get to the position where we are overnight. It’s going to take a little bit of time. The important part is to begin to move.”

McCorkle is touring South Dakota to highlight American Education Week. The theme this year is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right, and a Shared Responsibility.”

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