Superintendent Stacy told the Brookings School District 05-1 board that changes to state election scheduling mean the district must decide by its Dec. 8 meeting whether to hold a June 2 or Nov. 3, 2026 election.

"We need to decide at the Dec. 8 meeting which route we want to go," Stacy said, noting the Secretary of State's updated calendar and the publication deadlines that follow it. If the board chooses the June date, it must publish notice of vacancies on Dec. 15 and again the following week to meet the filing window, she said.

Why it matters: the decision affects how soon the district must spend on election logistics, whether the district can share ballot/tally resources with the county, and the term length for any appointed replacement for the recently vacated seat. Stacy said the county has signaled it will not put school races on the county's federal ballot under the new timing, leaving the city and school to coordinate separately if they want a shared election.

Board members pressed for timing details and practical implications such as absentee voting windows and equipment access. "Because we won't be combined with the county, we don't have access to the electronic tabulators," Stacy said, adding the district may have to invest in signage and voting partitions or coordinate with the city for shared resources.

Vacancy and appointment: Dr. Schultz explained the process for filling the vacancy left by Kelly Books, whose resignation the board announced at the start of the meeting. The application was posted immediately after the board accepted the resignation and interviews are scheduled for Nov. 17; all interviews will be conducted in executive session. "The individual will only stay on until the next election," Dr. Schultz said, meaning the appointee would serve the remainder of the term only until either the June or November election when the seat is on the ballot.

What the board approved: at the meeting the board approved the agenda, accepted the consent materials (minutes, finance report, bills, personnel report, and open enrollments) and accepted donations (listed below). The board also voted to move into executive session under South Dakota Codified Law 1‑25‑2(3).

Votes at a glance: agenda approved (motion passed by voice vote; SEG 020–035); consent materials approved (motion moved by S12; SEG 1324–1345); donated items approved; motion to enter executive session approved.

Next steps: the board intends to decide its election date at the Dec. 8 meeting. The application window for the board vacancy closes on the posted deadline (applications were posted and available through the district website), and interviews will take place Nov. 17 in executive session as described by Dr. Schultz.