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Brookings school board votes to hold next school board election in June
Summary
After reviewing cost-sharing scenarios and legal/timing concerns, the Brookings School District board amended its motion and voted to set its next school board election for June (June 2 on the calendar). The board agreed to revisit logistics after the county commission finalizes a proposed cost‑sharing model.
The Brookings School District board voted to hold its next school board election in June, adopting an amended motion that sets the tentative date as June 2 on the district calendar.
Board business manager Stacy presented five cost scenarios that compared running a June election, combining with the county or city in November, and briefly running a standalone election. "The total cost to the school would be between $10,270 and $16,645" if combined with county and city partners in November, Stacy said; other scenarios increased district costs to roughly $25,000 to $30,000 if the district ran a separate election.
Board members discussed legal and administrative consequences of changing the election month, including when newly elected members would be seated. Dr. Schultz noted statutory timing for swearing in and canvass procedures, and board members weighed the academic calendar, onboarding opportunities for new members and likely voter turnout differences between primary (June) and general (November) elections.
Several members said continuity with the district’s academic calendar and the ability to onboard new members before the school year favored June. Others urged waiting for the county commission to confirm a proposed cost‑sharing formula; the board had been told the county commission would consider the model at its meeting the following week.
Trusting the board’s majority view, a member moved to amend the earlier motion and set the election in June; the amendment passed on a roll‑call vote. The board chair announced, "Motion passes so the school board will be holding our election in June." The board recorded ayes during roll call.
The district will publish required notices in the local register within the statutory deadlines and follow up if the county commission provides a different cost‑sharing arrangement than the one described to the board.
What’s next: the county commission meets next week to consider the proposed shared‑cost model; if the commission’s decision changes the district’s expected expenses, the board said it could reconvene on short notice to reconsider logistics and costs.
