PIERRE, S.D. (KELO.com) — House Bill 1177 moves to the House floor of the South Dakota Legislature today.
The bill would move school board elections to the November general election ballot.
This move my cause concern among the state’s county auditors about how such a change would function, but Representative Doug Post believes the bill has been well thought out.
“The bill provides three years to rectify any issues that may arise before fall elections of school district board members begin,” says Post.
“Voter participation in school district elections is abysmal. Moving these elections to the general in November will greatly increase turnout. Low turnout election decisions such as in Sioux Falls of only 4200 voters when there are 3200 school district employees are unlikely to be based on best educational outcomes in comparison to best employee interests,” says Post.
House Bill 1177 requires that school district elections occur in conjunction with the general election.
