Cathy Melendez returned to her seat at the Douglas School board table Thursday night, but couldn't hide her disappointment at the low voter turnout for the recent election she won.

"That was a sad little vote," she said.

Only 124 votes were cast in the June 17 election, which included incumbent president Melendez and newcomer Jay Schanzenbach vying for the open seat. Melendez has been on the board for one three-year term, serving as president for the past two.

By the time the votes were tallied, Melendez earned 86 votes and Schanzenbach 38.

The district has seen upwards of 400 votes in the past, said business manager Trista Hedderman.

"It's kind of been up and down," she said. "It's more dependent on how many people are running and what's going on, rather than the year."

In 2006, five people ran for two open seats and more than 400 votes were cast, she said.

But that wasn't the case this year, and board member Les Schwartz said he was frustrated that so few people voted. He said he would like to see more advertising for next year's election so people will remember.

Board member Larry Larson said he doesn't know if things will change, regardless of better advertising.

"Things are going really smoothly," he said, shrugging. "They don't care. I don't know what you can do to change that. Those people that really care go out and vote."

Melendez said she was excited to have won, but wished more people had played a part in the process. After the election, she said she heard some people say that the voting place and time was inconvenient.

Residents could vote at Badger Clark Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

"That's a really, really sad excuse," Melendez said. "These are our kids."

The board consists of five members. Melendez will take her oath of office and a new president and two vice presidents will be elected during the July 14 meeting. The board follows a staggered cycle for election, and two positions will be open next year and the same the following year.

Contact Kayla Gahagan at 394-8410 or kayla.gahagan@rapidcityjournal.com