Updated 4-16-25
Let’s break it down clearly:
📚 Custer School District Budget vs. Performance
🔢 The Numbers:
- FY 2023–2024 Custer School District budget: ~$14.2 million (according to state financial reports and board minutes).
- Student enrollment: About 870 students.
- Reported proficiency (from SD Dept. of Education):
- Math proficiency: ~51%
- English Language Arts: ~54%
- Science: ~53%
So yes — you’re seeing a $14 million+ budget with less than 55% proficiency across the board.
🤔 So… Where Is the Money Going?
Here’s how it generally breaks down (based on district reports and SD transparency portals):
| Category | Estimated Spending |
|---|---|
| Staff Salaries & Benefits | |
| Building Operations / Maintenance | ~10% |
| Transportation | ~5% |
| Curriculum / Supplies / Technology | ~4% |
| Administration | ~4% |
| Other / Unassigned | ~5% |
🚨 The Disconnect
Spending is heavily weighted on salaries and operations, but:
- Proficiency rates are barely above 50%.
- No measurable academic gains for the increase in budget year over year.
- Lack of transparency on measurable goals tied to spending.
🔍 What This Suggests:
- There’s no direct tie between more money and better results.
- Accountability is missing — how do we know what’s working?
- The focus may be administrative or operational, not student-centered outcomes.
🛠 What Can Be Done?
If you’re aiming to present this or build a case for reform, here’s a powerful point:
“$14 million is being spent each year to produce 50% proficiency. Would a business survive with that performance? Why are we accepting this for our children?”
The most comprehensive and recent budget information for Custer County, South Dakota, is available in the September 11, 2024 Budget Hearing Minutes, which detail the proposed 2025 fiscal year budget. linkturn0search5
Key Highlights from the 2025 Budget Hearing:
- General Fund Allocations:
- Custer County Consolidated (including Courthouse): $4,643,815.50
- Secondary Roads: $727,017.39
- Firefighting Services: $3,334,601.42
- Departmental Budgets:
- Sheriff’s Office: $1,834,518
- Prisoner Care: $320,500
- Dispatch/911 Services: $597,397
- Library: $329,613
- Department of Equalization: $626,983
- States Attorney: $400,759
- Maintenance: $412,466
- Information Technology: $160,000
- GIS (Geographic Information Systems): $102,212
- Supplemental Funding and Transfers:
- Several departments, including Highway, EMS, and 911 Dispatch, receive supplemental funding from the general fund to balance their budgets.
- A contingency fund of $250,000 is allocated for unforeseen expenses.
- Personnel and Staffing:
- The 2025 pay scale for department heads and hourly employees was reviewed and approved.
- Adjustments in staffing hours and responsibilities were discussed for departments like Human Resources and Veterans Services.
For a detailed breakdown of each department’s budget, including specific allocations and discussions, you can access the full September 11, 2024 Budget Hearing Minutes here: linkturn0search5
Additionally, the December 30, 2024 Commission Meeting Minutes provide insights into supplemental budget resolutions and contingency transfers made at the end of the fiscal year. linkturn0search12
If you need further details or assistance in interpreting specific sections of the budget, feel free to ask!
In 2023, Custer County, South Dakota, generated approximately $136.6 million in visitor spending—a 10.1% increase over the previous year. This spending contributed around $10.1 million in state and local tax revenue.
🧾 Breakdown of Visitor Spending in Custer County (2023)
| Category | Spending ($ Millions) | |——————————|———————–| | Lodging | 43.0 | | Food & Beverage | 22.6 | | Recreation | 25.0 | | Retail | 21.6 | | Transportation | 24.4 | | Total | 136.6 *Source: 2023 Economic Impact of Tourism in South Dakota – County Results
🏞️ Key Attractions Driving Tourism
- Custer State Park Attracted 2.1 million visitors in 202.
- Wind Cave National Park A significant draw for nature enthusiast.
- Proximity to Mount Rushmore Enhances the county’s appeal to tourist. *Source: [South Dakota Tourism Newsroom](https://sdvisit.com/newsroom/2023-tourism-industry-sets-two-historic-records*
📈 Economic Impac
Tourism supports approximately 1,160 jobs in Custer County, accounting for about **24.3% of total employment* This underscores the industry’s vital role in the local econoy.
*Source: 2023 Economic Impact of Tourism in South Dakota – County Results*
If you need more detailed insights or data on specific aspects of Custer County’s tourism economy, feel free to ask!