Duncan, Kirkegaard to lead state Board of Education

Kelly Duncan, Dakota Dunes, was re-elected as president of the South Dakota Board of Education during the board’s November meeting. Don Kirkegaard, Britton, was elected vice-president.

Dr. Duncan is an assistant professor, counseling and psychology, at the University of South Dakota. She is also the executive director of the South Dakota Counseling Association. A lifelong educator, her career includes teaching at the high school level and serving as a school counselor. Dr. Duncan was appointed to the Board of Education in 1996.

Kirkegaard has worked in K-12 education for 27 years and is currently superintendent of the Britton-Hecla School District. He is a member of the Northeast Area Superintendents Association and the School Administrators of South Dakota. Kirkegaard also has been involved with the North Central Association at the local, state and national level. Kirkegaard was appointed to the Board of Education in 2006.

Members of the South Dakota Board of Education are appointed by the governor. The board’s role is to advocate for a quality education in the state’s K-12 schools and technical institutes.

Board members Roger Porch, Philip, and Clint Waara, Pierre, also announced that they would be leaving the board at the end of the year.