A measure allowing school districts to pay signing bonuses for new staff members is making its way through the South Dakota legislature. Currently, school districts can give signing bonuses to new teachers but not other types of employees. Representative Bethany Soye is a republican from Sioux Falls and is sponsoring House Bill 1308.
Soye says school districts need more options to compete in the current job market.
"Without incentives, such as hiring bonuses, school staff positions sit open while private companies entice potential employees to work for them instead.”
Besides signing bonuses, the measure also allows for the payment of moving expenses or tuition reimbursement. The measure passed the Senate Education Committee by a vote of 5 to 2. It now moves to the Senate floor.