Five candidates vying for two seats on the Sioux Falls School District’s board this month will face off in a candidate forum Wednesday night at the Instructional Planning Center.
Incumbent Kate Parker and the four fresh faces will discuss the issues and answer questions regarding their goals and experience.
The forum, hosted by the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce and Sioux Falls League of Women Voters, will kick off at 7 p.m. A Facebook event for the forum says the debate may run until 8:30 p.m.
More Sioux Falls school board election news:
This event, held at 201 East 38th Street in Sioux Falls is free and open to the public. Livestreams are available at the KLRN Midco cable channels 20 and 595, or on the Sioux Falls School District’s YouTube channel.
About the school board candidates
Cory Begley, 43, is in active duty military with the South Dakota Army National Guard. He and his wife, who teaches in the district, have three children who attend Sioux Falls schools. He said he decided to run for school board to continue to serve his fellow community members after 22 years of service in the military.
Paulette Ludens, 63, is retired and works part-time as a school bus driver and part-time at Midco Aquatic Center as a lifeguard. She is a mother of six, a foster parent and a grandmother of 20. She said she decided to run to be a voice for children, teachers and administration.
Marc Murren, 65, is a retired teacher and coach who taught at Washington High School and still works as a substitute teacher. He said he decided to run for school board because he cares about all children, and believes education is the key to success in life.
More:Sioux Area Metro offers free bus rides to early voters for school board election
Kate Parker, 47, is the director of government programs at Avera Health Plans. She has two sons in school and is seeking a fifth term on the board. She has said has the experience and leadership to help guide the district toward Superintendent Jane Stavem’s goal of being the best in the nation.
Anthony Pizer, 41, is a financial advisor with Thrivent Financial. He has two children in the school district and serves on the Sioux Falls Education Foundation Board. He said he decided to run for school board because education can transform peoples’ lives and the community.
More Stories
SPI Names Mary Nicely as New CDE Chief Deputy
It’s back to school for NYC. Here are 6 issues to watch this year.
NYC Dept. of Education health screening website goes down on first day of school