Three Running For LA Board

Langford Area School District voters will go to the polls on Tuesday to elect two members to the school board. Three candidates are running for the two spots on the board for three-year terms – incumber Morgan Holler and challengers Fallon Deutsch and Scott Smith.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in four different locations around the district: the Langford Community Center, Eden Firehall, Pierpont Community Building, and Claremont City Hall.

To get to know the candidates better, the Journal asked them to submit answers to pertinent questions. Their answers are found below.

Background information (family, work, etc.):

Morgan Holler: I grew up and currently live in the Pierpont area on our family farm. My wife Heather and I have 3 daughters, Farrah (10), Naomi (8) and Scarlett (6). I have a degree in Plant Science from SDSU and put that to use on our family farm where I currently work.

Fallon Deutsch: I was born, raised, and graduated from Langford in 2008. I knew early on that I wanted to return to Langford when I was done with college to raise my family so my future children would have the opportunities that small schools provide and that they too, could be Langford Lions.

After college I returned back to Langford and married my high school sweetheart, Jordan Deutsch who is also a Langford graduate. We live just outside of city limits, on Jordan’s family farm, and have been blessed with three wonderful children Tatum (2nd grader), Hayze (Kindergarten), and Navy (2). It’s great that they too are able to be Langford Lions like we were and for that, we feel so fortunate.

I am a registered nurse and work as an on-call float nurse in multiple specialty clinics within Avera St Lukes in Aberdeen. I made the decision to be at home with my children as much as possible while they are growing up and this position allows me to do that, as well as be actively involved in both the Langford community and Langford School when needed.

I have also owned and operated my online boutique, Distinctly Drey, for the past 5 years where I was recently honored as the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur of the Year. I give back to Langford and area communities by serving as the vice president for the Langford Community Foundation, I am a member of the PAWS committee and the Langford School playground committee. I’m actively involved as a coach for multiple Langford Youth athletic programs and recently joined a local baseball/softball board. I have also served as a board member for the Front Porch in Langford.

Scott Smith: I grew up on the farm and attended Willow Lake high school which is very similar to the size of Langford. After receiving an Electronics Technology degree, I’ve held a few different positions including electronic technician, a business owner, 12 years in telecommunications and am currently employed at Lake Region Electric Cooperative. I have called Langford home for 14 years which all of my 5 children have and will graduate from - Kelsey lives with her family in Devils Lake, Gabe is in Langford, Cooper and Connor are attending SDSU and Ryder will be a junior next year.

What is your reason for running for the board?

MH: I first ran, and was elected, 3 years ago as a way to get more involved in our school system. At that time there were not many members that had young children. I wanted to represent those families with younger children and make sure their voices were heard too. Today, I strive to continue that mission, while adapting to the larger picture of the whole school. I see the school as a living being that must keep moving and growing to succeed. Langford has made steps towards continuing to grow but has also experienced some setbacks that I would like to continue to see through.

FD: My main reason for running for the Langford Area School board is to team up with the other members, parents, and supporters to help keep Langford the high-quality educational center that it is known for. I want to help make sure the Langford School doors are open for generations to come. I feel that Langford’s staff, academics, and extracurricular activities have always been top-notch, along with the goals of the school district as a whole. I want to help play a role in making sure Langford continues to be a strong school district for future generations to come because of its superior education and diverse opportunities for its students. I have always been proud to be a Langford Lion.

I will be a strong, positive voice on the board and will fight for what the students, staff, and district members deserve by being their advocate. I will work hard to keep the lines of communication open so that when concerns arise, district members feel they have someone they can relate to and speak freely with. I will make sure issues are addressed, a solution is found and follow-up is provided.

SS: I am running for the school board because I feel the timing is right for me personally to give it the attention the position deserves. Although a majority of my children are out of school, I believe it gives me an unbiased position in decision making.

What do you feel is the number one challenge facing the school district and how would you propose to deal with it?

MH: I feel the biggest challenge facing our school, any given year, is providing all the needs for our school within the budget that the state has given us. Each year the goal has been to be fiscally responsible, making sure all needs are met, while still leaving room for dreams to happen. One thing the board has done this year is training to educate ourselves on how state funding works and affects our school. Learning the ins and outs of school budgets is one way we can continue to pursue making good fiscal decisions.

FD: I feel an ongoing issue with all small schools is to remain financially stable, while also continuing to look into the future. I will work to ensure that the Langford Area School stays competitive, is advancing in technology, and continues to have a clean and safe environment for our students and staff, as well as looking for ways to offer more educational opportunities for our students so our graduates have an advantage over others as they continue their education or join the workforce. It’s important that we invest tax dollars and school funds in areas that will give the best return to our students and the communities. I am passionate about being involved in the decision-making process when it comes to the future of our school and making sure it is operating and performing at its full potential.

SS: I feel the biggest challenge as a school board is the same as it’s always been, to give our students the best educational experience and doing so while maintaining fiscal responsibility. There are several factors that contribute to that challenge including teacher shortages, funding, increasing expenses, etc. Finding good teachers will only get worse with retirements and is a statewide issue, I believe you’re going to see more remote teachers being used in the future. As far as funding and possible forced consolidations or athletic co-ops the small-town boards will need to remain diligent in communicating and making sure their voices are heard at the state level.

List one other issue you would consider a priority for the district and what you think should be done about it?

MH : Another issue facing the district is filling staffing positions at the standard we have experienced and grown accustomed to at Langford Area. We have years of experience with a passion to educate and take care of our students. Keeping the experience and caring level high is something that is tough anywhere, let alone in rural South Dakota. My vision is to make Langford a place that new staff members want to make roots in and pour into our community, with the standard set by previous and current staff. Also, keeping our staff with years of experience. A continuing goal is working on pay and the environment for all staff.

FD: Langford is currently in the beginning stages of a very pivotal period as some of our highly respected faculty members that have been the heartbeat of our school for so long, start their next chapters. It’s crucial that those positions are filled with individuals who are invested in the Langford Area School and will carry out strong traditions that Langford Area has been known for while being highly qualified for those positions and they too feel strongly about the longevity of the Langford Area School.

I think two other ongoing priorities are school safety and future enrollment numbers. School safety needs to be something the administration looks at frequently and is constantly being reevaluated and practiced so students and faculty are protected and feel prepared if a situation does arise.

Future enrollment numbers are always something we always need to keep a close eye on. We need to do our best to invite new families in, alumni back to join us, and continue to find ways that set the Langford Area school apart from the reset.

SS: The progressive attitude taken on by Langford Area can be seen in the addition of an auxiliary gym and fitness facility which is used regularly by students and community members alike and I believe is a huge asset to the school and community and needs to be maintained with updating equipment and programs when needed. It is also seen in the addition of an FFA program, I believe we need to continue providing students with advantages such as college readiness and life skills opportunities.

What do you think is Langford Area’s biggest asset and how can it be used to the school’s advantage?

MH: The staff and community are the Langford Area’s biggest assets. There is an energy and a feeling the staff and faculty provide to the school that makes it a place where you want to send your kids. The community also takes pride in the Langford Area by volunteering their time to help with infrastructure, sports, events, and subbing. The sense of school pride travels through multiple towns and generations. I think if we can get people to come see what Langford has to offer, they will have a hard time leaving.

FD: I think the Langford Area School’s biggest asset is our “Lion Pride ‘’ and the relationship the school has with its communities and the community’s relationship with the school. So many of our school activities are successful because of the support and leadership given by members of the communities in our district. No matter what, we are always working together, rallying, and fighting to make Langford an exceptional place for families to write their stories. The culture, traditions, and pride of the Langford Area School and surrounding communities is the main reason I decided early on, that my future children were going to be Langford Lions!

SS: The community involvement in school related functions is also amazing, from school plays, the carnival, youth sports, fundraising and the list goes on and on. Langford Area and the surrounding communities should be proud and commended for creating the overall atmosphere and pride that is felt by being a part of this community.