A survey of South Dakota superintendents responding to a survey say low pay is an important reason they are having trouble finding and keeping teachers.

The survey, by the Associated Schools Boards and School Administrators of South Dakota found that almost eighty percent of superintendents said the pool of teaching applicants has been inadequate.

Dr. Dan Swartos is Superintendent at McCook Central in Salem. He says they are still looking for teachers in some areas…

 

Swartos says their application pool has dropped quite a bit over the past few years…

 

About half the superintendents surveyed said increasing pay would enhance the quality and numbers of applicants.

Swartos says their starting pay is thirty one thousand five hundred dollars, but he says it is harder to hang on to experienced teachers…