An Act to make an appropriation for a statewide educator retention initiative.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of South Dakota:

Section 1. There is appropriated $2,500,000 from the general fund, to the Department of Education, for the purpose of providing grants to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools as part of a statewide educator retention initiative.

Section 2. The statewide educator retention initiative must employ a comprehensive approach that uses quantitative and qualitative data to address issues that impede a school district's educator retention. The Department of Education shall administer and make available the moneys appropriated for the statewide educator retention initiative, pursuant to section 1 of this Act, to directly assist school districts and accredited nonpublic schools in resolving issues that impede educator retention. The department may partner with a qualified organization or entity to provide the statewide educator retention initiative.

Section 3. The Department of Education shall provide grants for costs associated with participation in the statewide educator retention initiative, based on applications received from school districts and accredited nonpublic schools and approved by the Department of Education during the period beginning on July 1, 2026, and ending on June 30, 2029. The department may spend up to five percent of the appropriation in section 1 of this Act for costs incurred in administering the grants.

Section 4. The secretary of the Department of Education shall approve vouchers and the state auditor shall draw warrants to pay expenditures authorized in this Act.

Section 5. Any amounts appropriated in this Act not lawfully expended or obligated shall revert in accordance with the procedures prescribed in chapter 4-8.

Section 6. This Act is effective beginning June 30, 2026.