The Sanborn Central School Board approved a resolution at their Monday night board meeting to discontinue school board representation areas and have all school board members to be considered “at-large” beginning July 1.
This decision is pending approval by district voters at the June 21 school board election, at which time voters will also decide between two candidates, Justin Enfield and Melissa Ettswold.
When the Artesian-Letcher School District was formed in 1991, it was decided to have two board members from the old Artesian district and from the old Letcher district and one at-large member. At that time, the school district held classes at two sites with an enrollment of 361 students.
Currently, Troy Olson and Clayton Dean represent the Artesian district, and Justin Enfield and Curtis Adams represent the Letcher area. Brenda Schmit is serving the at-large position.
The individual school districts have now been consolidated for 25 years and have been on-site with the entire K-12 student body for 12 years; therefore, the board is questioning the need for area representation. The Board is taking into account that it is hard to find people who are willing to serve on the school board and limiting candidates when the position is confined to one area or another makes it more difficult.
All school board terms are for three years. The June 21 election will be the first time in around 20 years that the School District will be holding an election.