Correction: A previous version of this story had a typo. Cynthia Mickelson did not seek reelection after her second term.
Simplified: Dawn Marie Johnson is the newest member of the five-member board overseeing the Sioux Falls School District.
Why it matters
- Johnson is the first woman of color elected to the Sioux Falls school board. She will take the seat vacated by Cynthia Mickelson, who did not seek reelection after her second term.
- Voter turnout was just over 6%. It's low, but it does continue an upward trend of voter participation in standalone school board elections in the last few years. Turnout in 2021 was 5.13%, and in 2019 it was 3.86%.
- Johnson won handily Tuesday night with more than two-thirds of the vote. Brian Mattson – the only other candidate actively campaigning – earned just over 2,200 of the more than 7,600 ballots cast in the election.
- Neither Johnson nor Mattson responded immediately to a request for comment when final results rolled in around 11 p.m. Tuesday night. We'll catch up with them for Friday's issue.
What happens next?
Johnson will join the board when Mickelson's term ends at the end of June.
