HURON — Whether because of the cold snow flurries, a forum amidst a long holiday weekend or comfort in knowledge of the candidates, fewer than 15 people attended a forum for the three candidates for the Huron School Board.
For an hour Saturday morning, incumbents David Wheeler and Tim Van Berkum, along with challenger Lance Calkins, shared visions of school board functions and how their particular talents dovetail with those visions.
Hosted by the Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau’s Governmental Affairs committee, moderator Arnie Claeys said that the purpose of the forum was to “inform and educate interested voters and allow an opportunity for those voters to ask questions.”
The school board election will take place Tuesday, April 10, with polls open at Huron Arena from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting may be  done at the the school’s business office, which is on the second floor of the Arena, on the east concourse.
After opening statements from all three candidates, Claeys opened the floor for questions.
Brian Hines questioned the candidates about whether they felt it was appropriate for the district to hire school board members’ spouses and whether not having open positions advertised to the public was proper. Hines intimated that a position was not advertised and that it was subsequently filled by Wheeler’s wife.
“What do you consider as conflicts of interest?” Hines asked. “What constitutes a conflict?”
Van Berkum noted that a section of each school board meeting is set aside for board members to disclose any potential conflicts. “My wife works for the school district, and I make sure that I do not vote on issues that could involve her. I am comfortable with the process we have in place.”
Calkins said that board members should avoid conflicts and Van Berkum had avoided answering a portion of the question. “I believe that all positions should have been opened to the public,” he said. “I have no problem with spouses working in the district, but if there is no policy for publishing to the public, one needs to be established.”
“The S.D. Legislature established rules regarding conflict,” Wheeler said. “My wife had been working in the mental health field for four years when she applied to the school district. I excused myself from all dealings in any matter concerning her application.”

Van Berkum and Wheeler both noted as well that it is the school board’s responsibility to oversee the superintendent and not be involved in hiring each and every position throughout the school district.
“Board members have to work together,” Wheeler said. “Individually, board members have no authority.”
“We delegate the day-to-day operations of the school district to the superintendent,” Van Berkum said. “We also establish policies and track expenditures. We do ultimately vote on each new hire, but are not involved in the hiring process.”
Van Berkum also gave a shout out to Kelly Christopherson, the school district’s business manger. “Mr Christopherson is the best in the state at what he does,” Van Berkum said. “I trust that when he says we can afford to do something that he is correct. He has never let us down on financial matters.”
Van Berkum also noted that often the district will advertise a position with existing staff to see if the position can be filled by transfer rather than hiring.
Bob Eickhoff questioned the candidates on any concerns over safety issues in the wake of the school shooting that took place in Florida mid-February.
“If we can improve safety, obviously it should be done,” Calkins said.
Van Berkum said that safety is important. “Doors at the elementary buildings and middle school are locked and visitors must be recognized and buzzed into the school or office.” He noted that there are plans for increased security at the high school and that changes to make sure the lone unlocked door can be made more secure.
“Locked doors aren’t really going to stop a disgruntled student,” Wheeler said. “They are effective at stopping a parent from removing a child from school without permission. I believe that a school should be a school and not in a lockdown situation.”
Claeys asked if the school was positioned to address continuing enrollment increases.
“Our lower levels in particular have seen increases in student population,” Van Berkum said. “Having the classes grouped as we do makes it easier to adjust to late enrollments.” He added that when each of the elementary school buildings were remodeled and expanded, they were designed for 250-member classes, or 500 students per building.
Wheeler noted that bussing is a growing issue, with the increases in enrollment. “Increases are a great problem to have,” Wheeler noted. “It gives us the opportunity for growth, if needed.”
In response to a question regarding ideas that each candidate would seek to explore, Calkins said that he would use his business experience to assist in elevating the lower performing students to excell.
Van Berkum said he would hope the district would continue to lead the state in its English as a Second Language (ESL) performance, and that the district’s elementary configuration is the envy of every district in the state.
Hines asked if the candidates felt that a walkout at the high school could open the door to other protests.
Wheeler said that the decision was left to the administration on how to handle the walkout. “I’m also concerned about drawing a line,” he said. “”I think it’s safe to say that this is a unique situation that will not be repeated.”
Calkins said he felt the walkout was political and that alternative solutions could be presented to the students instead of staging a walkout.
The candidates noted that recruitment and retention of staff continues to be of the utmost of importance.

Curt Nettinga/Plainsman
Candidates for the April 10 Huron School Board election answered questions at a special forum Saturday morning, hosted by the Huron Chamber’s Governmental Affairs committee. From the left are candidate David Wheeler, moderator Arnie Claeys, and candidates Lance Calkins and Tim Van Berkum.