Two positions are open on the Sioux Falls School District Board. Five candidates are vying for those two spots in Tuesday's election.
The Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club hosted a forum Monday where candidates were asked questions about their position on subjects, goals, and issues they find within the current system.
Most questions centered around how the candidates would spend the district’s money. The Sioux Falls School Board controls more money than any other school board in the state.
Marc Murren is the board’s vice president and is seeking reelection. He said the public needs to be more involved in school board decisions.
“We have a huge budget, nobody shows up. I’m not saying it’s their fault, maybe they don’t feel a connection to the board and maybe that’s our fault. I don’t feel that way, but I think it’s important that we do listen and I think we do,” said Murren.
All five candidates agreed that they desire more involvement from the public, citing the important discissions being made without much public involvement.
Fellow candidate Patrick Starr echoed Murren’s concerns.
“We’re gonna do it with swimming pools here shortly. By the end of the month we’re gonna have a $75 million bond issue in Sioux Falls with new swimming pools. And we haven’t talked to the community about where those pools are going to go and what is going to happen," said Starr. "And for a lot of people it is going to feel like they weren’t heard. Even though there has been a lot of meetings and a lot of people have been in control behind the scenes. So people need to be heard. The more open it is the more likely we get to a good decision.”
Murren and Starr were joined by candidates Gail Swenson, Bobbie Tibbetts, and Stuart Willett.
Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm at various voting centers around the city.
