STURGIS, S.D. – The six candidates running for three spots on the Meade 46-1 School Board answered questions during a candidate’s forum held by the Sturgis Chamber of Commerce Wednesday night.
The six candidates are Kassi Barry of New Underwood, Terry Koontz of Sturgis, Aaron Odegaard of Black Hawk, Megan Snyder of Sturgis, Sheila Trask of Elm Springs and Charlie Wheeler of Piedmont.
The candidates answered questions about what they would like to see happen with any leftover CARES Act money, broadband issues, STEM programs and the Governor’s proposed 1776 Pledge.
The candidates all had various ideas for what to do with any CARES Act money. Odegaard mentioned infrastructure and professional development, and Trask mentioned more support staff, Koontz would like more money to help students who have fallen through the cracks.
All candidates agreed better broadband is needed for the schools, especially those in the rural areas. COVID-19 brought many challenges in distance learning, and any help to improve that is welcome. However, they all agree getting back to a more normal, in-person school day will help struggling students tremendously.
Candidates also seemed to welcome any improvements in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM. STEM Labs promote collaboration and exploratory learning where students enjoy hands-on-learning activities that allow them to apply technology, science, math, and engineering skills as they enjoy a 21st-century learning experience. However, many of those labs are cost prohibitive, and candidates know that can hold back growing such labs in more district schools.
As for the 1776 Pledge, most candidates had yet to really dig in and look at the Governor’s plan. The Governor signed onto the pledge recently and alleges that students are being taught to hate their own country & pitting them against one another on the basis of race or sex. Schools across the state, however, disagree. Tim Eckart, president of the Sioux Falls Education Association said the suggestion that educators were indoctrinating students was “incredibly insulting.”
Election day for the Meade 46-1 Board candidates is June 8th. Polls will be open that day from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Voter registration will close on May 24th at 5:00 p.m.
For information about polling locations and absentee voting click here or call the Meade School District Business Office at 605-347-2523.
