The Brookings School Board election plays an important role in shaping the future of our schools and community. To help voters make informed decisions, we invited each candidate to share their background, priorities, and perspectives ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, June 2. 

Name: Kelsey Bowman
Occupation/Employer: Self-employed (KB Consulting)
Years Living in Brookings: 21
Email or Campaign Website: bowmanforschoolboard@gmail.com
Family Information: Husband - Matt, Son - Breck, Baby due in October

About You

1. Tell us about yourself.

My name is Kelsey Bowman, and I moved to Brookings in 2005 to attend South Dakota State University.  After graduating in 2008 with a degree in Economics, I made the decision to build my life and career here.  My husband, Matt, and I are proud to call Brookings home as we raise our son, Breck, and prepare to welcome another baby this October.

Until 2019, I served as Assistant Business Manager for the Brookings School District, where I gained hands-on experience in school finance and district operations.  After my son was born, I stepped away from my position to focus on my family.  As Breck grew older, I founded KB Consulting, providing bookkeeping and accounting services to businesses across South Dakota.  This work has allowed me to stay professionally engaged while maintaining the flexibility to prioritize being a mom.

I have always believed in giving back to the community and supporting the people and organizations that make Brookings strong.  While our school district is facing challenges, it is also supported by dedicated educators, engaged families, and significant opportunities for continued success.  I believe strong schools are built through collaboration, transparency, and meaningful community engagement, and that the parent perspective plays an important role in that process.

With my background in finance, my experience working within the school district, and my commitment to our community, I would bring a thoughtful and balanced perspective to the school board. I would be honored to serve and to help ensure our schools continue providing strong opportunities for every student.

2. Why are you running for the Brookings School Board?

What motivated me to run is simple — the kids.  I have always stayed actively involved with our local school district, but once my son started kindergarten, I realized I wanted to contribute in a more meaningful way.  Many people are surprised to learn that our current school board does not include any parents of school-aged children.  I believe parents bring an important and valuable perspective, and with so many significant decisions facing our district, it is critical that families have a voice at the table.

In addition to being a parent, I bring extensive experience in school finance and district operations.  As we look to the future, thoughtful leadership and responsible decision-making will be essential to maintaining and strengthening the quality of education in our schools.  From the very beginning, my guiding principle has been simple: “Our kids deserve the best.”  I believe that wholeheartedly, and I am committed to helping ensure every student in our district has the opportunities, support, and resources they need to succeed.

3. What experiences or skills would you bring to the school board?

First and foremost, I bring the perspective of a parent.  I understand the everyday experiences and challenges our students and families face, and I see firsthand the incredible impact our educators and support staff make each day.  From school drop-off and pickup to book fairs, classroom events, and bingo nights, I stay actively involved in our school community.  I believe that parent involvement and perspective are essential when making decisions that directly affect students and families.

In addition, my background in finance and district operations would bring valuable experience to the board.  It is no secret that budget constraints continue to create significant challenges for our schools.  While state support remains an important part of the conversation, we must also focus locally on identifying inefficiencies and finding sustainable ways to attract and retain high-quality educators and support staff.  Strong schools require both fiscal responsibility and continued investment in the people who make a difference in students’ lives every day.

Priorities & Vision

4. What do you believe are the biggest strengths of the Brookings School District?

The greatest strength of the Brookings School District is its people.  From transportation and child nutrition staff to maintenance teams, support staff, educators, and administrators, our district is filled with dedicated professionals who truly care about students and their success.  While modern buildings and new technology are important, it is the people within our schools who make Brookings such a special place to learn and grow.

When I reflect on my own education, I do not remember the buildings or the equipment — I remember the individuals who impacted my life, encouraged me, and helped shape the person I am today.  That is why continuing to support and invest in the people who serve our students every day is so important to the future success of our district.

5. What are the biggest challenges facing the district over the next 3–5 years?

Two of the most significant issues facing our school board are declining enrollment and academic proficiency.  Over the past decade, South Dakota has seen one of the highest growth rates in the nation of families choosing alternative education options.  To address this trend, we must remain focused on delivering a strong core education while ensuring our resources are used effectively and responsibly.  By continuing to strengthen our district and improve student outcomes, we can encourage more families to choose — and remain in — our public schools.

Although our district has made progress in proficiency scores, there is still important work to be done when compared to districts of similar size.  Academic performance plays a major role in building family confidence in public education.  When student outcomes are strong, measurable, and consistently improving, families are more confident their children are receiving the quality education they deserve.

Equally important is the relationship between schools and families.  Parents want to feel heard, informed, and welcomed within the district.  Strong communication, accessible leadership, and meaningful parent involvement are critical to building trust and strengthening those partnerships.

I believe that maintaining a strong focus on academic achievement and family engagement will positively impact the long-term success, stability, and overall well-being of our district.

6. What would be your top priorities if elected?

My top priorities would be continuing to improve academic proficiency, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and promoting transparency throughout the district.  In conversations with parents, educators, and community members, these issues consistently stand out as some of the most important priorities facing our district today.

While I believe our district is making positive progress, there is still meaningful work ahead to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed and every taxpayer feels confident that district resources are being managed responsibly and effectively.  I believe strong communication, thoughtful decision-making, and accountability are essential to building trust and moving our schools forward.

Community & Leadership

7. How will you ensure transparency and communication with constituents if elected?

Transparency is one of the issues I hear about most often from stakeholders.  I do not believe people expect or are entitled to confidential personnel information.  Rather, many are simply asking for clearer communication, greater openness, and more thoughtful discussion surrounding important decisions that impact our schools and community.

Healthy debate and respectful discussion are essential to strong leadership and effective governance.  While collaboration is important, it is equally valuable to have board members who bring different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table.  Diversity of thought encourages more thorough conversations, stronger decision-making, and ultimately better outcomes for students, staff, and the community.

At the end of the day, board members do not need to agree on every issue in order to work well together.  What matters most is maintaining a shared commitment to doing what is best for students and supporting the long-term success of our school district.

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your candidacy?

I believe education is most effective when guided at the local level.  No one understands the needs of the Brookings School District better than the administrators, staff, parents, and community members who are directly involved in it every day.  While state and national policies will always play a role, our primary focus should remain on the areas we can directly influence: academic achievement, safe and supportive learning environments, and strong support for our teachers and staff.

We must ensure our resources are used in ways that have the greatest impact on student learning and overall well-being.  Equally important is fostering a positive culture where teachers, support staff, parents, and administrators feel respected, supported, and heard.  A strong school culture can make a meaningful difference regardless of outside pressures or challenges.

Improving communication and transparency at the local level is also critical.  Families and community members want to feel informed, engaged, and confident in the direction of the district.  Open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving help build trust and create stronger, more sustainable outcomes for everyone involved.

By staying focused on students, encouraging meaningful parent involvement, maintaining fiscal responsibility, and supporting our educators, we can continue working together to ensure our district provides the best possible opportunities for every child.  I would be honored to earn your vote!

Name: Marcie Dierks
Occupation/Employer: Master Teacher of Science through Northern State University’s Center for Statewide E-learning
Years Living in Brookings: 18
Email or Campaign Website: d.marcie@gmail.com

About You

1. Tell us about yourself.

I am originally from the Chicago area but moved to Brookings in 2008 for graduate school at SDSU and have formed deep relationships within our community.

I have dedicated my professional life to service. I currently work for Northern State University’s Center for Statewide E-learning, supporting districts across the state that can’t hire certified science teachers. Previously, I taught science at Brookings High School for nine years. I also have experience working with families and elementary age students through the Boys and Girls Club, adults with developmental disabilities from my time at Advance, was an adjunct instructor for undergraduate students at SDSU, and I currently work part-time serving our aging population through Interim HealthCare. I have a servant heart and enjoy funneling my energy and expertise into lifting people up and ensuring all people feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.

While teaching at Brookings High School, I served on several district- and school- level leadership committees. This allowed me to understand the complexities around making decisions within our building and district and understand the importance of input and representation from all stakeholders served by our district. Public school districts are the heart of any community, and the residents of Brookings know that better than anyone.

I also was elected and served as the Brookings Education Association co-president for one term. This experience deepened my understanding of the master agreement process, the important roles of the superintendent and district leadership, and the collaboration required to support both staff and students. It also strengthened my commitment to protecting public education and ensuring that all students have access to highly qualified, certified teachers.

2. Why are you running for the Brookings School Board?

I am a champion for public education and deeply believe in the importance of a strong public school district for our community. Public schools serve all students and work to meet the needs of all students. To do this, we need to ensure that our students continue to have access to high quality certified teachers. When community members and former co-workers approached me to run to serve on the board, I felt that it was the right time for me to be actively engaged in our district.

3. What experiences or skills would you bring to the school board?

My career path of serving a wide range of Brookings community members has afforded me the opportunity to learn from and work with our diverse population. I have worked with learners from first grade through undergraduate as well as adults from late teens through the late stages of life. As an educator at Brookings High School, I communicated with parents, supported fellow educators, and championed all students to learn and grow. I can see issues from many perspectives and am able to notice whose voices are missing when analyzing stakeholder feedback and data.

In addition, I can remain calm, steady, and objective when challenges arise. I believe effective leadership requires listening carefully, focusing on facts, and approaching difficult situations with a clear mind and thoughtful perspective. During times of uncertainty or disagreement, I work to bring stability, stay focused on solutions, and make decisions that are grounded in what is best for students.

4. What do you believe are the biggest strengths of the Brookings School District?

The staff! Teachers are the heart of the school, they work with students, they communicate with parents, they identify needs and concerns and direct those to the correct resources. The students in our community deserve to be educated by teachers who are supported, respected, and valued for the incredible work they do in our classrooms.

We all know that student success is directly tied to teacher efficacy, so as a member of our school board, I would support initiatives and budgetary decisions that directly improve the working conditions and resources of educators. If we want our kids to learn from the best, we need to retain and attract the best.

Community partnerships are another strength of the Brookings School District. There are countless individuals and organizations that work directly with our students or supporting the families of our students. One partnership that stands out is with the Boys and Girls Club. The Club has staff working within our schools as part of the early childhood education program, and there are BHS students and staff attending high school at the Club as part of the Bobcat Plains Academy.  Both programs are targeting areas of high need with students and are seeing success.

5. What are the biggest challenges facing the district over the next 3–5 years?

We all want the most qualified and capable educators working in our classrooms, but in the short time I have been a public educator, the views around the importance of public schools and the respect for the teaching profession have changed. The conditions under which teachers work are increasingly stressful and under-supported. Many dedicated and passionate educators have left our district in recent years to find work in education or public service elsewhere. There continues to be teacher shortages at the local, state, and national level and unless the culture around education changes, I foresee this shortage continuing.

Another challenge is the current state of public school funding. Our district operates on a tight budget, and the board has recently made tough decisions regarding how to best serve our students with its limited funds and resources. Issues around public school funding are complex, and I see budgetary constraints continuing to be an issue in the foreseeable future.

6. What would be your top priorities if elected?

Student Success

-    Students have direct access to highly qualified, passionate educators and support staff

-    Schools are equipped to handle our diverse student population’s academic, mental health, and behavioral needs 

Transparency and Accountability

-    Help bridge the communication gap between the needs of our students and the possible sources of resources in our community

-    Evaluate how the increasingly limited funds are currently spent and reallocate as needed 

-    Representation from all stakeholders on district-wide decisions

Support and Empower our Educators 

-    Retain and attract the best of the best 

-    Help develop policies and reallocate funds to address student behavioral needs 

-    Listen and respond to our educators! The high-quality professionals working directly with our learners have the insight and experience we need to make better decisions for our schools

Community & Leadership

7. How will you ensure transparency and communication with constituents if elected?

Since becoming a school board candidate, I have been approached by community members regarding their concerns with our district, and transparency is a common concern. To me it’s more of a communication issue, not a transparency issue. Is the communication coming from the superintendent detailed enough? Are community members seeking out information? Do community members know how to find district information? As a board member, I will work to bridge that information gap between communication from the district and the reception of the information by our stakeholders.

Locally, let’s work to improve communication between the district and our community. There are already many amazing partnerships within Brookings that work directly with our district or serve the families of the children in our district. As a board member, I would encourage civic engagement. Complete the surveys, read or listen to communication coming from our teachers, schools, and district, put our resources into these community partnerships, and vote in the local school board election.

8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you or your candidacy?

I believe information is power and education opens doors; it is why I have dedicated my life to public education. Public schools are legally required to accept and meet the needs of all district students. As a community, we can rally around supporting our current schools and staff while still being critical of ongoing issues. I genuinely care about people and truly believe individuals deserve dignity and respect by just being alive. Part of that dignity is having access to high quality educators in a safe and supportive environment.  

Thank you to our candidates for sharing this information with the community. Election Day is Tuesday, June 2. We encourage all community members to review the candidate profiles, view their sample ballot at https://vip.sdsos.gov/, and make a plan to vote.