SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO.am) – The Sioux Falls School board has approved a $280 million dollar budget for the fiscal year 2022. The budget includes increases in spending in the general fund of $1.2 million and an additional $1.6 million for special education.
The plan increases starting salaries for district teachers 8.7% and also includes a 34.8% increase in starting salaries for speech and language pathologists.
The district’s business manager said the district will decrease the school levy by $.12 in FY 2022. Over the last 22 years, the district says the school property tax increase for the average Sioux Falls home is approximately 1.7%.
The meeting began with a salute to outgoing board member Todd Thoelke, who had served for 9 years. In honor of his work on the new Jefferson High School, Thoelke was presented with the first Jefferson Cavalier football helmet.
The School Board swore in re-elected member Kate Parker and newly elected member, Marc Murren. The pair won the election to the board in May.
Cynthia Mickelson was re-elected as board president, and Parker was elected vice-president.
