Longtime educator wants spot on Sioux Falls School Board

Former Tripp-Delmont superintendent launches campaign ahead of April election

A longtime South Dakota educator has officially launched her campaign for a seat on the board education in the state’s largest school district.

Gail Swenson made her official campaign announcement Thursday, after earlier this winter filing her candidacy with the Sioux Falls School District office. The 41-year educator is seeking one of two seats up for grabs in the upcoming Sioux Falls School Board election.

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“I am proud to announce my candidacy. I am uniquely qualified to be a member of the School Board, having recently retired as a school superintendent,” she said. “I bring experience from sitting at the Board table. With my election, I would just be changing seats.”

Swenson is among three candidates who've thus far declared their candidacy in the race. Incumbent board member Marc Murren and Sioux Falls City Councilor Pat Starr, who is unable to seek re-election due to term limits, are also running.

Swenson, a former superintendent in the Tripp-Delmont School District, said her campaign platform centers on community engagement, student and faculty safety, and academic excellence.

“I know firsthand the challenges that the School Board, community, parents, staff and students face every day,” she said. “We need to engage our students and families in children’s learning. We need to engage our community in the opportunity for partnerships and support. And we need to engage all stakeholders in the vision of our District.”

Swenson spent her entire post-college career in public education, with the majority of her tenure as an educator in the Sioux Falls School District as a high school language arts teacher. She’s also served as president of the Sioux Falls Education Association and as a district-level supervisor of the Homeless Education and the Indian Education programs.

The Sioux Falls School Board election is April 9 and is being held jointly with the Sioux Falls municipal election.

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