Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
Weather check: More of the same
This week, you'll find some real, tangible ways to shape Sioux Falls future, and it warms my civic-engagement-lovin' heart. Plus, I've got the tiny recap-i-est legislative recap in the state and a whole bunch of events this week.
And now, news:
EDUCATION
How you can help plan future school facilities – including Whittier Middle School
Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District is looking for volunteers to serve on a task force looking at needed facility improvements across the district. That task force will also consider recommendations to replace the more than 100-year-old Whittier Middle School, a process the district has been preparing for for several years now. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- The district is asking the public to apply to serve on what it anticipates will be a 30-member task force looking at not just Whittier, but all Sioux Falls School District buildings. The hope is this group – with the help of The Donovan Group, a Wisconsin-based consulting firm – will bring recommendations to the board.
- Those recommendations will likely then feed into a future bond vote. The last time the Sioux Falls School District convened a facilities task force was 2018, and the resulting plan brought a $180 million bond to fund three new school buildings. Now, all three of those are completed and in-use by students: Jefferson High School, Ben Reifel Middle School and Marcella LeBeau Elementary School.
- It's unlikely the scope of the work for the 2026 task force will be as focused on new buildings as the group eight years ago. The district's enrollment has leveled off in recent years, and overcrowding is less of an issue than it was in 2018. However, the task force will be asked to look at growth potential, as well as ensuring existing buildings are, as admin put it, "safe, secure and welcoming."
"Our community owns our schools and is a relevant part of our schools," Superintendent Jamie Nold said. "And we want their voice, and we want them to be heard."
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COMMUNITY
Why voters may get to weigh in on a proposed hyperscale data center
Simplified: Dozens of volunteers – and as many as 100 petition circulators – have stepped up to help ensure voters have a voice about whether Sioux Falls should support a proposed hyperscale data center in the northeast part of town. Here's a look at the latest.
Why it matters
- Volunteer leaders of "Let Sioux Falls Vote" – a referendum effort to let the broader community decide on a rezone request that paves the way for a hyperscale data center in northeast Sioux Falls – say they're optimistic they'll get the signatures they need to put the decision to voters.
- They wouldn't share how many signatures they had as of Monday afternoon, but given the response they've seen, they're hopeful it'll get to the required 6,704 before the deadline at 5 p.m. Thursday.
- That referendum came after the Sioux Falls City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to rezone the property, paving the way for a data center. If the signatures come through, it'll be up to the public to decide if that plot of land should be zoned for industrial usage.
- The effort has also seen the support of Brandon residents, who, while they won't be allowed to sign petitions or vote in the Sioux Falls municipal election, say they still want to help pump the brakes on this data center project. Erin Taggart, a Brandon resident who lives near where the proposed center would be, said she's worried about negative impacts on her community and health that could result if the center is built.
"I am reaching out to everyone I know about this," Taggart said. "This is a big, important deal, and I haven't ran into anybody that's for this (data center)."
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TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- SDSU researchers helping Sioux Falls Firefighters. Allison Barry, an assistant professor at South Dakota State University is partnering with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue to develop and test fitness programs for firefighters. The idea is to pilot a plan for what physical training, nutrition and recovery is needed for firefighters to be able to do their very physically taxing jobs.
- What's happening in Pierre? This week in Pierre, lawmakers advanced a proposal to expand free lunches to include kids who qualify for the reduced price for meals. They also shot down a pretrial program because it was funded by the so-called "woke" MacArthur Foundation, discussed a "Data Center Bill of Rights," and advanced a proposal to protect utility companies from taking the blame for wildfires.
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Jan. 28-Feb. 3
- Check out some art. Good NAtured is hosting a cozy art market on Sunday. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can stop by the 8th Street store and shop wares from local creatives. Details here.
- Check out some art AND history. Sioux Falls’ NAACP chapter is hosting a night out at the South Dakota African American history museum housed within the Washington Pavilion. The event kicks off Friday at 6:30 p.m. and ends with an after party at Trio Jazz Club. Details here.
- Puzzle speedily. The Sioux Falls parks and recreation department is hosting a “puzzle palooza” speed puzzling competition on Saturday at City Center. The event starts with a puzzle swap, and then you and your friends can compete to see who can do a jigsaw puzzle the fastest. Register here.
- Catch some local tunes. Two lovely local singers each have shows on Friday. Catch Elsa Rae at the Old Courthouse Museum at noon, and then in the evening you can pop over to Trio to hear Maren Engel croon.
- Chat with your state lawmakers. It’s that time of year—time to let your representation in Pierre know how you feel about various legislation they’re tackling. The League of Women Voters is hosting a legislative coffee on Saturday at 10 a.m. at the HUB at Southeast Tech. Details here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
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Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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