RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) South Dakota has once again landed in last place for teacher salaries.

The National education Association says South Dakota teachers averaged $34,709 last year.

That was $10,000 below the national average.

North Dakota was second-to-last in teacher pay providing its teachers an average of $37,764 or about $3,000 more than those in South Dakota.

Teacher pay has long been a sore point for educators in South Dakota, and the governor and Legislature are pressed every year for substantial increases in school aid.

The state also is being sued by several students and parents who say it's falling far short of the mark in terms of school funding.

South Dakota has about 10,000 public school teachers.

On the Net: www.nea.org/edstats/images/07rankings.pdf (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-13-07 0702CST | save this article / add to your favorites list