Three will compete for two seats on the Garretson School Board

With a joint city of Garretson and Garretson School Board election coming up on Tuesday, April 8^th, 2025 at the American Legion Post #23, we sent all our prospective candidates questions about why they want the job and your vote. This week we’ll be featuring the three people seeking two seats on the Garretson School Board. 

Nathan deWit:

First, give our readers some background and personal information about you.

Thanks for reaching out and providing the opportunity to answer some questions relating to this position. My name is Nathan deWit. I graduated from Garretson in 2005, BS in Construction Engineering, MS in Architectural Engineering – structural emphasis. I’m a Structural engineer with FDN Engineering.  We specialize in residential foundation repair solutions. I have a wife Nicole, who works for Sanford, daughter Evie (1^st grade), and a son, Cade (who attends Blue Dragon Academy).

Why do you wish to become a member of the Garretson School Board?

As a father of two young children beginning their education, I want to ensure the district we are entrusting with their education fulfills its mission “to prepare every student to meet the challenges of learning, living, and leading in a changing world”, optimally equipping them in their formative years.  In addition, I believe a strong school district is a foundational element and key component to the identity of a thriving and successful community.  This is something we need dedicated community members to volunteer and participate in to achieve and maintain.  It is my desire to contribute and help shape that identity.

What is your stance on education and education funding in South Dakota? What do you think about current state funding formula, and funded vs. unfunded mandates for school districts?  What do you think about the tax opt-out formula and taxation policies that schools rely on?

School funding, and by extension taxation policies, in our community are an important and often challenging issue.  If people have specific policy concerns related to school funding, I encourage them to engage their state representative where changes to policy can be enacted.   As a school board member, I will work diligently within the established policies to maximize the value provided by our district to the students.  It will also be important to closely monitor the developments happening at the federal level with the Department of Education.  Federal funding is a significant portion of the district’s budget, and we must be ready to effectively and efficiently respond as it relates to funding and potentially other areas.  

  What do you think is good about the Garretson School District or that they are doing well?

The district has had many long-tenured staff which have, in some cases, even taught the children of former students.  Their dedication to our school is something to be admired and commended.  I also believe that the “small town school” and generally small class sizes are very attractive to families and advantageous to the students.  

What do you think needs improvement or/and what needs to change to make it better?

We have lost a number of students to open-enrollment over the years.  I would like to see open enrollment be a net positive for our district.  I believe one of the root causes for this issue is the expanded academic and athletic opportunities provided by other nearby districts.  Identifying ways for students to pursue those opportunities within our district is important.   Another area of concern is, according to the state of SD information, our standardized testing is below the average district in the state.  The same data shows that from 2021-2024 we have had a less than 50% proficiency rate in all the testing areas: math, science and reading every year.   Given these statistics, there is an opportunity for improvement to better deliver on our mission statement.  I will engage with staff and administrators to identify the areas where the board can support them in their efforts. 

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