Not as many people are coming out to vote during Rapid City School Board elections, and a community group is hoping that a different system for how members are elected would change that.

Currently, the Rapid City School Board comprises representatives from seven districts. A law passed by the state Legislature in 2007 allows schools to adopt a system blending at-large delegates and district representatives.

"I just think it's really important for people have the opportunity to vote," said Eric Abrahamson, a former Rapid City school board member.

Under the current system, people can vote only once every three years if the candidate in their district is opposed. Often, they are not. Unopposed candidates are automatically elected; their names do not appear on the ballot.

It hasn't always been that way. Before 1993, district voters elected at-large candidates to the board. Critics called for changing to representation by area districts because in 13 years, all but two board members had come from west Rapid City. Voters supported the change.

Now some people say it isn't working, citing low voter turnout and a string of unopposed candidates. District 2, currently represented by school board member Sheryl Kirkeby, hasn't had a school-board election for 13 years.

Abrahamson said a community group would like to see five district seats and two at-large seats. If a person's district representative isn't up for election, they could still vote to decide the at-large seats.

The board would be more responsive and sensitive to public opinion, he said. And the change might increase voter participation, Abrahamson said.

Between 1994-2000, 21,422 votes were cast. Between 2001 and 2008, turnout fell to 9,688.

But the community vote that was "overwhelmingly supportive" of changing to the district system should be respected, board president Sheryl Kirkeby said.

"It's what the citizens chose, and I don't believe it should necessarily be different than that," she said.

Kirkeby said she also thinks a new system would be confusing to people.

"I believe (districted seats) make continuity," she said, adding there is no question about who represents you or where district lines are. "No other race runs at an at-large level, and I think the board should be the same way."

The change would require a redistricting of the city, which would change districts from about 10,000 voters to 14,000. By increasing the number of people in a district, it automatically increases the chance that more people might run, Abrahamson said.

If no one runs to represent one of the seven districts, the board takes applications and appoints someone. That hasn't happened in almost two decades in Rapid City.

The proposed school-board election format change could go to voters in November if petitions signed by 3,465 registered school district voters are filed by the end of the summer.

"That's the plan," Abrahamson said.

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