Term Ends: 6/30/28
Nan.Kelly@k12.sd.us
School Board Members
Nan Kelly
President
Nan Kelly was elected to the Sioux Falls Board of Education in 2019. She attended Central College and Harvard University and currently resides in Sioux Falls with her family.
Nan is coming to the board of education with work experience in government relations, nonprofit governance, strategic planning, property management and business consulting for an early medical device company, BlueDop Medical. Her most recent academic experience is pursuing her Master of Science in law at Northwestern University.
Kelly provides leadership coaching services and is an active community volunteer. Her passion for the lifelong impact of education on a child's life inspired her to run for the school board. She believes Sioux Falls public schools and their students are the city's greatest assets for future success. She is committed to strengthening our schools to make Sioux Falls an appealing place to live and work, while ensuring that community tax dollars are used wisely to meet the District's growing needs.
Kelly is #ProudToBeSFSD because of the District's sustained growth, which provides new opportunities and solutions in areas such as facility needs, attendance, graduation rates, workforce diversity, and community engagement
Marc Murren
Vice President
Term Ends: 6/30/26
Marc.Murren@k12.sd.us
Marc Murren was elected to the Sioux Falls School Board of Education in 2021. He earned his bachelor's degree from Northern State University and his master's degree from the University of South Dakota.
Living in Sioux Falls with his family, Murren is a retired teacher and coach from the Sioux Falls School District. He began his career over 40 years ago, teaching at the old downtown Washington High School. His commitment to the youth of Sioux Falls inspired him to run for the school board.
Murren is #ProudToBeSFSD because he believes Sioux Falls is a great community with abundant opportunities and citizens who care deeply about the town and its residents. He is dedicated to providing every child with the chance to succeed and to fostering a quality future workforce. Murren is passionate about collaborating with staff and stakeholders to ensure a quality education for our students, who deserve our best efforts.
Dawn Marie Johnson
School Board Member
Term Ends: 6/30/26
DawnMarie.Johnson@k12.sd.us
Dawn Marie Johnson ran for the Sioux Falls School Board because she believes the best investment is in our children, and she wants to continue contributing to the great work already being done. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Master of Social Work. Over the past decade, much of her work has supported youth, boosting their positive self-identity and improving their mental health, ultimately leading to academic and personal success.
"My passions lie in providing students with exposure to different college and career opportunities, ensuring all families have access to quality after school care, educating and encouraging people on the importance of mentoring youth, and expanding alternative learning options for students."
With a background as an educator, social worker, after school professional, and mother to a child in the Sioux Falls School District, she is uniquely positioned to provide a meaningful voice to support all students and educators both in and outside the classroom. "My greatest strength is my ability to unite the community as a collaborator and bridge diverse conversations to nurture future generations. By working together, we can help all young people have access to the education they need to succeed."
Gail L. Swenson
School Board Member
Term Ends: 6/30/26
Gail.Swenson@k12.sd.us
I hold a B.S. in Speech Education/Theatre and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction/Administration from SDSU, and an Ed.S. in Educational Administration, Superintendency from the University of Sioux Falls.
As an educator, I wanted to give back to the students, staff, families, and community who have given so much to me. The Sioux Falls School District is one of our city's marquee assets, providing students with incredible opportunities to learn, grow, and explore.
I am proud of the District's bold innovation and growth, which fosters intellectual curiosity and pathways for success—Proud To Be SFSD!
Though retired, I stay active by volunteering at the St. Francis House, helping with Lunch is Served, and registering voters with the League of Women Voters. I also belong to several clubs and organizations and spend as much quality time as possible with family and friends.
Together, we can make a difference for our kids and their education.
Elizabeth Duffy
School Board Member
Term Ends: 6/30/28
Elizabeth.A.Duffy@k12.sd.us
Elizabeth Duffy was elected to the Sioux Falls School Board in the spring of 2025. She works as an attorney, with a focus on financial services, business strategy, and creative problem solving. A graduate of the University of South Dakota and USD Law, Elizabeth moved to Sioux Falls in 2008 where she built her career, raised her family, and engaged in the community.
“I am a longtime community volunteer and nonprofit leader, focusing on making a positive impact on the lives of children and families. Serving on the Sioux Falls School Board allows me to continue this work on a broader scale.”
Elizabeth is a strong believer in the power of public education and the importance of pursing excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and career preparation.
“As a mother of two children in the Sioux Falls School District, this is personal to me. Strengthening public education and ensuring it is fully embraced and supported is vital to the wellness of our families, our community, and our entire way of life.”
In her free time, Elizabeth enjoys reading, writing, and listening to podcasts. She resides in Sioux Falls with her husband, two daughters, and two German Shepherds.
Dr. James Nold
Superintendent
"Strong public schools are essential to our freedom and our future. We proudly welcome all students from every background, culture, ability, and life circumstance and we promise each the same: a challenging education grounded in engaging coursework and real-world learning experiences. Our staff shows up every day to make a difference, stretching students beyond what they thought possible to discover the path to success that is best for their unique interests. We believe in tomorrow’s leaders. We are the Sioux Falls Public Schools."
- Dr. James Nold
Dr. James Nold has served in the field of education for the past 34 years, assuming his current role as Superintendent of South Dakota’s largest school district in July 2025. Prior to his current appointment, he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services for nine years, also in the Sioux Falls School District.
Dr. Nold served as the Principal of Washington High School from 2006 to 2016. He has also been an Assistant Principal, Teacher, and Coach. He received his Doctoral Degree at the University of South Dakota after earning his Master’s Degree at South Dakota State University, his Specialist Degree at the University of Sioux Falls, and his Bachelor’s Degree at Augustana University, where he also competed in collegiate wrestling.
Demonstrating his deep beliefs that all children deserve educational opportunities, Dr. Nold considers it a great honor to have twice led an education team to Ethiopia to establish an English Literacy program at schools that serve the poorest of poor in that country.
He and his wife Tammy, a school counselor, have two children, Hailey, a clinical counselor for a mental health agency in Minnesota, and Riley, a Physics Doctoral student at UC Berkeley.
Policies Open for Input
The following Sioux Falls School District policies are currently open for public input and scheduled for second reading during the School Board meeting indicated to the right of the description. You are invited to make public comments at the corresponding Board meeting and/or submit a written comment to the superintendent using the blue tab below or by U.S. Mail/hand delivery to 201 E. 38th Street, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Residents and parents/guardians of students enrolled in the School District have the expressed right and are encouraged to attend meetings of the School Board to listen and observe the deliberations of its members. A Board meeting is a legislative session, a public input session, or a work session.
Please Call (605) 367-7900 to have phone messages relayed to the School Board Members.
SFSD Policy/Regulation | Board Meeting Date |
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