Noem appoints Sioux Falls School District administrator to South Dakota Board of Regents

Gov. Kristi Noem announced Tuesday she’s appointed two new people to the South Dakota Board of Regents: Doug Morrison, an administrator from the Sioux Falls School District, and Jim Lochner, the former COO of Tyson Foods.

The two newcomers to the board will join John Bastian, student regent Brock Brown, Jeff Partridge, Tim Rave, Pam Roberts and Jim Thares.

Lochner will take the seat formerly occupied by Rep. Tony Venhuizen, who resigned in January to serve in the South Dakota Legislature. Morrison takes the seat left by Barb Stork, who resigned Jan. 26, 2022, despite her term ending in 2025.

Their appointments are effective immediately, but their confirmation by the Senate Education committee and full Senate will take place in the 2024 legislative session. Lochner’s term will end in 2027, and Morrison’s term will end in 2025, the governor’s office confirmed.

The ninth member of the board, Joan Wink, was recognized during the March 30 board meeting for her service, after she announced she wouldn’t be continuing on the board. Despite her absence, the board still maintains its quorum without her if a majority of the board members are present at meetings. She is the sole Democrat on the board.

With these new appointments, the board is almost entirely Republican, as Brown, Lochner, Morrison, Partridge, Rave, Roberts and Thares are all Republicans. Wink is a Democrat and Bastian is an Independent.

More: How much Sioux Falls school board candidates have raised, spent ahead of May election

This current board makeup would break the board’s bylaws which state that “no more than six Regents shall be members of the same political party,” if it weren’t for Brown being a student regent, as his party affiliation isn’t subject to the requirements of the overall board, according to an opinion drafted by former attorney general Mark Barnett, the governor’s office explained.

The SDBOR office is reaching out to the two new regents to see if they’ll be able to attend the May 9 board meeting, or if they’ll convene with the full board in June.

About the appointments

Morrison is the current director of data services for the district and has served in that role since 2017. He also served on the school board from 2008 to 2017, is a certified accountant and co-founded the Sioux Falls Hope Coalition, a nonprofit providing preschool opportunities for children.

“I am passionate about providing children with high quality, affordable education opportunities,” Morrison said in a press release from Noem’s office. “I am appreciative to Gov. Noem for appointing me to this position and giving me the opportunity to serve the students of South Dakota.”

Jim Lochner served as COO for Tyson Foods from 2009 to 2014 when he retired. He lives in Dakota Dunes and has served on executive committees with various trade organizations including the American Meat Institute and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

More: Sioux Falls' CTE Academy offers extensive 'field to table' experience for students

“I want to thank Gov. Noem for selecting me to serve on the South Dakota Board of Regents,” Lochner said in a press release from Noem’s office. “I believe my business experience in numerous technical support and operational areas will enable me to serve as an asset to the goals and missions of the Board of Regents.”

Noem also stated in a press release she’s confident Morrison and Lochner will work hard to continue improving the state’s education system for “our kids and grandkids,” and she looks forward to working with them.

“For South Dakota students attending our state universities, we have a responsibility to provide an excellent, high-quality education at a cost that they and their family can afford,” Noem stated. “The more we provide opportunities for education excellence, the better we will set them up for their future. In turn, they will help build an even stronger South Dakota for years to come.”

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota Board of Regents gains two new members