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Humboldt, SD (KELO AM) - The “Save our Future” group is rallying voters in Humboldt and Hartford to overrule the West Central School Board’s decision to turn over the Cherry Lake addition to the Sioux Falls School district, saying it is an opportunity to grow their district they way Tea, Brandon, and Harrisburg have in recent years.
The group’s Lisa Engels says the estimated tax value of the Cherry Lake addition is around $100 million, which would prove helpful if the district decides to put an elementary school in Sioux Falls. “That’s much more easily done with that $100 million property tax value within our district, as opposed to letting it go and later on figuring out that we need a building over there anyway.” Engels said. According to the group the value of the addition represents 20% of West Central’s tax base.
She added that it would benefit residents in the area that are already in the West Central district, allowing them to send their kids to elementary school close to home without driving to Humboldt or Hartford. “We need to decide if we want to take care of these families that are coming into our district as Sioux Falls grows. That means we need to provide an elementary school building that’s close to where those families live.”
Voters in the district will head to the polls on May 19th to decide the fate of the Cherry Lake addition. A no vote would keep the addition in the West Central school district, voting yes would leave the school board’s decision as is.