Dakota
Voter
2026 South Dakota School Board
-Question 1 was: If elected to the School Board, what will your top priorities be in office?
-Question 2 was: As parents and schools work together to educate children in your district, a partnership must be built between the two parties. In your view, what should this partnership look like?
To find the answers from your local candidates, click your city on the list below.
Belle Fourche School District 09-1
Wendy Bowers
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jacob Davis
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Nathan J Juelfs
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Bennett County School District 03-1
Raina Clifford
Q1- My top priorities would center on student success, teacher support, and transparency with the community. I am committed to encouraging and building a school system where every student feels safe, valued, and supported while receiving their education. I believe in ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities so all students can reach their full potential.
Q2- Educators are the foundation of a strong school system. It’s important to support teachers and ensure that they have the resources, trust, and working conditions needed to succeed. By listening to teacher input and prioritizing stability, we can help create an environment where teachers thrive, and in turn, students achieve their best. It’s key for families to remain engaged through clear communication transparency, and opportunities to be involved in decision-making and their students’ progress. Students benefit from a consistent and supportive learning environment. By fostering strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community, we can create a space of trust, transparency, and accountability.
Kayla Claussen
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Michael Olson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Dario Vasquez Jr.
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Britton - Hecla School District 45-4
Angela Grupe
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jeff Christenson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Heather Landreth
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Amy Jo Vietor
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jeanne Ahlgren
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Heidi Eimers
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Brookings School District 05-1
Marcie Dierks
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Kelsey Bowman
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Custer School District 16-1
Travis Hartshorn
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Larry Baker
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Sara K Barrick
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Bark W Perrenoud
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Elk Mountain School District 16-2
Kevin Rosse
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Terri Janssen
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jason Bradeen
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Elk Mountain School District 61-7
Traci McDonald
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Erik Hanson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jay Gabel
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Ethan School District 17-1
Bo Burkel
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Amy Storm
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Eureka School District 44-1
Anthony Kunz
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Corey Eberhart
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Haakon School District 27-1
Tanya Peterson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Anita Peterson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Chad Hanrahan
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Harrisburg School District 41-2
Tara Young
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jordan Twedt
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Mike Knudson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Hot Springs School District 23-2
Jason Mazzocchio
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Michael Selzler
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Holly Schultes
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Sharon Romey
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Huron School District 02-2
Michelle L Siemonsma
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Sarah Meirose
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Kadoka Area School District 35-2
Jake Daniel Vandermay
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Eric Scott Wilmarth
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Paul James Roghair
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Kimball School District 7-2
Kendra Olson
Q1- If elected, my top priorities will be school enrollment, teacher recruitment and retention, and fiscal responsibility. Maintaining and growing enrollment is critical to the long-term strength of our school and community, and I will support efforts that make our district an attractive place for families to live and learn.
At the same time, our success depends on high-quality teachers. Creating a positive work environment, having a strong support system, and competitive compensation to attract and retain great educators.
Finally, I am committed to responsible stewardship of the taxpayer dollars. I will carefully evaluate spending, prioritize needs over wants, and ensure transparency in all financial decisions. By focusing on these areas, we can build a sustainable future for our school while staying true to the values of our community.
Q2- I’ve sat on both sides of this table. As a teacher for 13 years, I know how far communication and parent involvement go. Now, as a parent with three children in this district, I feel it just as strongly.
A real partnership starts with trust. Parents should never have to fight to know what’s happening in their child’s school. That means reaching out before problems escalate, decisions are explained, budgets are clear, and every parent feels welcome to ask questions.
In a small district, we have an advantage big schools don’t, we know each other. That closeness is a gift. But partnership also means shared responsibility. When parents show up and reinforce expectations at home, kids do better. School can’t do it alone.
My commitment: keep communication open, take concerns seriously, and make sure every parent knows this school belongs to them too.
Kelly Konechne
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Lead-Deadwood School District 40-1
Amber Diers
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Meade School District 46-1
Derek Allen
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Tammara Phillips Hannan
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Brian Voight
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Megan Snyder
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Mitchell School District 17-2
Debra Everson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Vanessa Klock
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Newell School District 09-2
Todd Youngberg
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Katie Donahey
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Kurt Hocking
Q1- Bring new ideas and a clear vision for the future: I am not running to maintain the status quo. I am running to help the district grow-academically, culturally, and operationally. That includes exploring innovative programs, strengthening communication, and supporting staff so they can do their best work.
Make the school appealing again to students and families: Enrollment follows reputation. I want to help create a school environment where families are proud to choose-safe, welcoming, academically strong, and community-centered.
Serve as a true team player: A school board only succeeds when members work together.I am committed to professionalism, respect, and collaboration with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community.
Put in the work to learn and understand the district: I am not assuming I have all the answers. I am committed to learning the policies, history, finances, and challenges of the district so I can make informed, responsible decisions.
Q2- Open communication: I will be accessible, transparent, and willing to have honest conversations about challenges and opportunities. Clear communication builds confidence and reduces misunderstandings.
Gaining trust through consistency and accountability: Trust isn’t asked for: it’s earned. I will show up, follow through, and make decisions based on what’s best for students and the district.
Community engagement: Schools thrive when the community is involved. I am committed to listening to parents, staff, students, and residents, and ensuring their voices help shape decisions.
Willingness to listen and collaborate: I recognize that good ideas come from many places. I will work respectfully with administrators, teachers, families, and fellow board members to find solutions that move the district forward.
Working for the betterment of the entire district: Every decision I make will be grounded in what strengthens the school, supports students, and builds long-term stability.
Dean Johnson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Oldham-Ramona
Jennifer Lebahn
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Ashlee Rolling
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Pierre School District 32-2
George Seamon Jr.
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Madisyn Neibauer
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Rochelle Kenzy
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Rutland
Amber Malisch
Q1- Help to promote the school and boost enrollment and community support.
Continue to help support teachers, staff and administration to build a district that helps every student write their success story.
Q2- Mutual respect, understanding and empathy.
Open communication as well as listening and a realization that educating student is the priority.
Mitchell Maher
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Sioux Falls School District 49-5
Michael K Stangeland Jr
Q1- The core issue that I am running on and would be my primary focus is about property taxes, and with it, fiscal responsibility.
Beyond this, the issue I am most passionate about concerns inappropriate material for children in school. This includes not just explicit books, but also the use of material originating from the concept of DEI – ultimately, all of it material and subject matter that is clearly intended to propagandize to the fertile but vulnerable minds of students rather than provide genuine, quality education.
Q2- I do not think there is any one single picture that can describe how such a partnership should look, as different circumstances require different approaches. That said, there are key foundations that can ensure the right approach is used based on the circumstances.
First, proper partnership between parents and schools must be built around honesty, transparency, and dialogue.
Second, it is necessary that each party engage in mutual collaboration, where each side recognizes both side’s strengths and weaknesses, and then acts to make best use of those strengths and accounts for those weaknesses.
Third, each party must be willing to engage from a place of mutual respect, with both sides actually contributing to the partnership as required and neither expecting that the other will take care of everything, but also recognizing when each side may need to do more than the other.
Marc Murren
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jean Childs
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Dawn Marie Johnson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Gail L Swenson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Stuart Willett
Q1- Fiscal Responsibility. Since 2020, our budget has grown 22% while enrollment declined. The board has opted out of state property tax limits five consecutive years — passing that burden to homeowners. My clear promise: I will vote no on opt-outs for my entire term. But no isn’t enough. I will examine our budget line by line, because the solution is rarely more money — it’s stopping the waste of money you already have.
Artificial Intelligence. Studies show 80% of students use AI to do their schoolwork — and that dependence produces graduates who can’t read, can’t write, and can’t think critically. My priority is ensuring students earn a real education. Graded assignments that AI can simply complete for students have to end.
Teacher Retention. New teachers leave the profession at alarming rates, often due to classroom management struggles. I will prioritize professional development led by veteran teachers — practical, peer-to-peer mentorship that builds confidence (word limit)
Q2- As parents and schools work together to educate children in your district, a partnership must be built between the two parties. In your view what should this partnership look like?
The Latin phrase in loco parentis — “in place of the parent” — defines the teacher’s role the moment a child walks through the school door. Teachers act on behalf of parents, not in place of their values. That means anything affecting a child must be communicated to parents promptly and transparently. Schools work for families, not the other way around.
South Dakota has one of the highest homeschooling growth rates in the nation. That is not an accident. Either homeschooling is proving more effective — and public schools must adapt — or parents are losing confidence — and public schools must make corrections. Almost certainly it is both.
When families vote with their feet, the school board must listen. My commitment is simple: parents (word limit)
Spearfish School District 40-2
Alesha Limbo
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Raeann Mettler
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Stanley County School District 57-1
Chris Fosheim
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Jessica Paxton-Deal
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Todd County
Timothy Cournoyer Sr.
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Timmi Lynn Grablander
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Earl Hicks
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Melissa Whipple
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Vermillion School District 13-1
William Ames
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Ryan Johnson
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Viborg North
Faydra Christensen
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Yankton School District 63-3
Stacey Sorlien
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Michael Severin
(Candidate has not responded yet)
Yankton School District 63-3
Jacklyn Mueller
(Candidate has not responded yet)