Meet the people who want to represent you on the Sioux Falls School Board

Editor's note: This is the first in a multi-part series on the 2024 city and school board election. Stay tuned for more on the candidates views on various issues – oh, and make sure you're registered to vote by March 25 or, like, what is this all for?

Simplified: Five candidates are vying for two open seats on the Sioux Falls School Board. Sioux Falls Simplified sat down with each of them to chat about a variety of topics relevant to the school district.

Meet the candidates

Marc Murren

Age: 68

Occupation: Retired teacher

Why did you decide to run for school board? Murren, who is seeking his second term, said he originally ran because people had asked him to amid boundary discussions, but he's looking to continue for a different reason.

"My main reason is I love kids," he said. "For 42 years I worked trying to help kids, so that's why."

Gail Swenson

Age: 67

Occupation: Retired K-12 superintendent

Why did you decide to run for school board? Swenson spent 41 years working in public schools in a variety of educator and administrative roles. After retiring, she took a year off, and now feels ready to return to the world of education.

"I know I still have things to offer in education, and I decided now would be a good time," Swenson said.

Bobbie Tibbetts

Age: 40

Occupation: Broker with Bender Commercial

Why did you decide to run for school board? Tibbetts said she decided to run because she has two children in the district.

"Decisions of the board acutely impact us, and I want to be a part of it," Tibbetts said.

Stuart Willett

Age: 65

Occupation: Semi-retired teacher

Why did you decide to run for school board? Willett said he didn't want to run because he hates politics, but he also didn't want to just be someone who grumbles and complains without doing anything. He also cited his experience teaching in New York and the challenges he saw students face.

"The world is polarized ... but the vast majority want schools to be successful," he said.

Pat Starr

Age: 55

Occupation: Business Development at Hire Quest

Why did you decide to run for school board? Starr noted that his kids have been in a variety of Sioux Falls School District programs. He said he's running because of the following,

"I want Sioux Falls to be a great community where my kids can continue to grow and thrive."