BROOKINGS – Two petitions have been filed for the Brookings School Board, according to Brookings School District Business Manager Brian Lueders.
Incumbent Randy Grimsley, who’s serving his first term and now sits as president of the school board, and former Brookings School District Superintendent Roger DeGroot submitted their petitions for the two spots on the board up for election this April 10.
School Board members serve three-year terms.
The two spots up for election this year are held by Grimsley and Steve Bayer. Nominating petitions are due at the Brookings School District business office by 5 p.m. Feb. 23.
Grimsley has served one term so far and cited a variety of projects the district is undertaking as a reason for running again. That includes the building projects throughout the school district, discussion of an opt-out and the resulting course of action if it’s implemented or not.
In the last few years, there has also been a lot of policy revision and updating, of which he wants to continue to be a participant.
The school district has been attempting to assert itself as a leader among school districts, implementing the new and the innovative rather than following what other districts do. This is something he wants to continue, too.
“We’re a rapidly growing community, and the school district has been somewhat frozen in time in some ways in the last decade or so,” Grimsley said. “We’re really trying to make that jump into how to handle things with such a growing, diverse population that will continue to expand.”
DeGroot is running with students, teachers and community in mind. He wants the district to be able to recruit and retain the best staff while offering curriculum that will serve the students into the future.
“I think my skill level is such as it would really benefit the board right now. They’re looking at an opt-out, they’re looking at building buildings, they’re looking at mass customized learning, all those kinds of things. I know about all those things, and I can hit the road running and don’t have to be taught,” DeGroot said.
Having worked with state legislators in the past as superintendent, he feels he can contribute that experience to the board, helping the district get as many dollars as possible.
“I’ve worked with kids all my life,” DeGroot said. “I see how kids learn, I know how kids learn. … I see that weekly as I go into classrooms watching young teachers grow and help them grow.”
Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.
