SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Voters in the Sioux Falls School District (SFSD) cast their ballots on Tuesday on two open school board seats.
The four school board candidates are incumbent Nan Kelly, Elizabeth Duffy, Trisha Ringold and Thomas Werner.
The two winning candidates will start their three-year terms in July. Those terms will end in 2028.
Voting center polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Minnehaha County. Voters must show proof of identification to cast a ballot in South Dakota, according to the state Secretary of State website.
Voting officials at the First Lutheran Church said they saw people trickle in throughout the day.
Shari Smith said she’s lived in Sioux Falls her whole life and worked as a special education teacher for the district.
“I know how important the school board is, and I know how few people vote, so I hope they get out,” Smith said.
She said the most important issues for the school board are class sizes and funding.
“We need more funding from the state,” Smith said.
Jeff Scherschligt said he voted Tuesday to help the students in the area. He said he’s lived in Sioux Falls for his whole life, 70 years.
“Who’s going to be the most active in helping grow our school system, keeping it strong and and successful as it is now?” Scherschligt said. “I just saw South Dakota was rated like 9th in the country or something in education. We should be proud of that.”
Joe Batcheler has lived in Sioux Falls since 2015, and although he’s fairly new here, he said he voted Tuesday to invest in himself and the community.
“I think that it’s really important that we have a well-educated population, because that’s essential for a well-functioning society,” Batcheler said. “And all of us property owners, we pay property taxes. So, I want to make sure that I’m getting a good return on my investment with my property taxes.”
J.R. Smith said he cares about the SFSD school board election for its inclusion of the community. He’s lived in Sioux Falls since 1956.
“Everyone should be included,” J.R. Smith said. “And for those that choose not to vote, well, shame on them. If they don’t vote, then they’ve got no right to complain about what’s going on.”
