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over in superintendents and teachers in the next few years.
• "I believe we're nearing a crisis in education with leadership in our schools and even more so in the classroom," Monson said.
• Monson said South Dakota students' scores on national tests have leveled off and he predicted they'll start to drop in the next three or four years unless schools get more money to support teachers and programs.
• "I do believe we are, without fixing the problem, going to see our scores go down," Monson said.
• South Dakota law requires per-student spending -- a combination of state money and local property taxes -- to increase each year by the rate of inflation up to a maximum of 3 percent.
• State aid was frozen in 2010 and cut in 2011 as part of Daugaard's plan to slash most spending by 10 percent. Because of some changes made by the Legislature, the effective cut to school districts in 2011 was 6.6 percent.
• The inflation rate would require a 1.6 percent increase in state aid next year, but Daugaard last month proposed a 3 percent boost, saying it's possible because a one-time state revenue windfall can be used to pay off some state debts early to free up ongoing revenue for next year.
• Daugaard's plan would set spending per student from state and local funds at $4,764 next year. School districts want it raised to $4,805, the level in place before the 2011 cuts.
• After a school district collects property taxes using a standard statewide levy, it receives enough state aid to bring total spending to the required level per student.
• Sen. Billie Sutton, D-Burke, said 66 of the state's 151 school districts have decided to raise property taxes by more than the standard statewide levy.
•

• PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The South Dakota Legislature has honored 11 former state lawmakers who died in the past year.
• Members of the House and Senate on Thursday held a memorial service for their deceased colleagues. The Legislature holds the service each year.
• Those honored and their chamber and years of service: Elmer Diedtrich of Aberdeen, House 1989-1992 and 1999-2000, Senate 2001-2002; Jay Duenwald of Hoven, House 1997-2001, Senate 2003-2008; Derald Gellhaus of Yankton, House 1975-1976; Donald Haggar of Sioux Falls, House 1959-1960; John Heilman of Miller, House 1953-1954; Ralph Homan of Mt. Vernon, House 1983-1986; Stanley

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