Open Teaching Positions Trend Still Rising in South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - School administrators in South Dakota say it's becoming increasingly difficult to find people to fill open teaching positions.

A survey by the School Administrators of South Dakota found that nearly one-third of the 837 open positions advertised for the upcoming school year remained unfilled as of the end of May. The number of openings was up from 803 in last year's survey.

Association Executive Director Rob Monson says "the teacher shortage is real and it is only going to get worse."

A main reason that officials cite for the problem is low pay. The National Education Association says the annual teacher pay in South Dakota averages about $40,000, the lowest in the nation.

Lawmakers earlier this year set up a task force to look into problems in the educational system.

Source: Open Teaching Positions Trend Still Rising in South Dakota

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