(From Todd Epp, Northern Plains News
South Dakota’s teacher shortage extends beyond simple vacancy numbers, according to education policy analysts. Here are five essential facts every South Dakotan should understand about this ongoing crisis.
1. Rural Districts Face the Steepest Challenges
Small, rural school districts experience teacher turnover rates far exceeding urban areas, according to the Rockefeller Institute of Government analysis published in February 2024. Alcester-Hudson Superintendent Tim Rhead told state lawmakers that 12 of his district’s 28 teaching positions were vacant heading into fall 2024 — a 43 percent vacancy rate, according to legislative testimony.
2. Special Education Shortages Affect Every District Type
Unlike national trends, South Dakota’s biggest staffing challenge is special education, according to state workforce analysis by the Rockefeller Institute of Government. Both large urban districts like Sioux Falls and small rural schools struggle to fill these specialized positions, forcing teachers to take on larger caseloads, according to district administrators interviewed by media outlets.
3. Teacher Pay Still Lags Regional Competition
South Dakota climbed to 46th nationally in average teacher salaries at $56,000, according to the National Education Association’s 2024 rankings. However, the state still trails neighboring Minnesota ($66,561), Wyoming ($60,234), and Iowa ($58,831), creating recruitment disadvantages in border communities, according to the same National Education Association data.
4. The Teacher Pipeline Problem Starts Early
Despite salary improvements, fewer young people choose teaching careers, according to education administrators interviewed by South Dakota Public Broadcasting. South Dakota’s Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway has graduated only seven participants, with 56-60 more expected this spring — insufficient numbers to meet demand, according to the South Dakota Department of Education.
5. Mid-Year Turnover Creates Hidden Chaos
The South Dakota Education Association reported 200 teaching positions opened mid-year during 2024-25, creating disruption beyond official vacancy counts, according to Sandra Waltman in an April 2025 interview with Dakota News Now. These departures force schools to use emergency substitutes or leave positions unfilled, disrupting student learning in critical subjects, according to interviews with district superintendents.
Understanding these factors explains why South Dakota’s teacher shortage persists despite recent policy efforts and salary improvements, according to education policy researchers.
