Just a year after returning every member to the group, more than half the 2015 House Education committee will be filled with new faces.

 

Rep. Jacqueline Sly returns as Chair of House Education, which meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:45 a.m., for the third straight year. Rep. Sly will be joined on the committee again by Representatives Timothy Johns, who will serve as Vice Chair, Blaine Campbell, Paula Hawks, Dan Kaiser, Elizabeth May and Burt Tulson.

 

The eight new members to the committee include Reps. Fred Deutsch, Peggy Gibson, Thomas Holmes, Roger Hunt, Joshua Klumb, Steven McCleerey, Mathew Wollmann and Larry Zikmund.

 

Let’s get to know the committee members:

 

Rep. Jacqueline Sly (District 33) a retired teacher with more than 30 years of experience, Chairwoman Sly returns to the legislature for her fourth term in the House. Rep. Sly has served on the Education Committee each of her previous six years, three of which she was the Chair. Rep. Sly also chaired the 2013 interim committee that studied school funding.

 

Rep. Timothy Johns (District 31) in his third year as a legislator assumes the role of Vice Chair on the committee. Rep. Johns, an attorney from Lawrence County, has served on the House Ed. Committee each year he’s been in the legislature. He will also serve on the Judiciary Committee.

 

Rep. Blaine Campbell (District 35) enters his third year in the legislature and on the education committee. Rep. Campbell, a subcontractor from Rapid City, also serves on the Health and Human Services Committee.

 

Rep. Fred Deutsch (District 4) makes his debut in the legislature in 2015. A chiropractor in Watertown, Rep. Deutsch is well versed in K-12 education, as he served many years on the Watertown School Board. He will serve on the Commerce and Energy Committee, in addition to his duties on House Ed.

 

Rep. Peggy Gibson (District 22) is new to the education committee, but not to the legislature as she enters her sixth year in the House. A former teacher, Rep. Gibson will serve her first year on the House Ed. Committee after previously serving on the judiciary, state affairs and taxation committees. She will again serve on the Judiciary Committee in 2015.

 

Rep. Paula Hawks (District 9), a former high school science and technology in the West Central School District, begins her second term in the legislature. Rep. Hawks has served on the House Ed. Committee each year she’s been in the legislature. She’ll serve as a Minority Whip in the House and on the Local Government Committee.

 

Rep. Thomas Holmes (District 14) begins his tenure in the legislature in 2015. Rep. Holmes joins the House Ed. Committee with 40-years of experience in education. He will serve on the Health and Human Services Committee in addition to his work on the education committee.

 

Rep. Roger Hunt (District 25) returns to the legislature after a two year hiatus. Rep. Hunt, an attorney from Minnehaha County, previously served eight years (2005-13) in the House, during which time he served for four years on House Ed. Rep. Hunt will serve on the Government Operations and Audit, Judiciary and Legislative Procedure committees in addition to his work on the education committee.

 

Rep. Dan Kaiser (District 3), a war veteran with more than decade’s worth of law enforcement service, will begin his third year in the House. Rep. Kaiser has served on the House Ed. Committee each year he’s been in the legislature. He will also serve on the House Transportation Committee.

 

Rep. Joshua Klumb (District 20) joins the legislature for his first term in 2015. A farmer from Mount Vernon, Rep. Klumb has plenty of experience in Pierre, where he has served as secretary for the House Ag and Natural Resources and State Affairs committees. He will serve as Vice Chair on the Ag and Natural Resources Committee in addition to his duties on House Ed.

 

Rep. Elizabeth May (District 27) returns to the legislature for her third year. May, a former educator and currently a ranch and business owner in Kyle, has served on the House Ed. Committee each year she’s served in the legislature. Rep. May will serve on the Taxation Committee, as well.

 

Rep. Steven McCleerey (District 1) makes his way to Pierre by way of Sisseton for his first term in the legislature. Rep. McCleerey, a grain farmer and cow/calf operator, will serve on the Health and Human Services and Retirement Laws Committees.

 

Rep. Burt Tulson (District 2) returns to Pierre for his fifth year as a legislator, all of which he has served on the House Ed. Committee. A retired contractor from Lake Norden, Rep. Tulson serves as a substitute teacher when not serving constituents in Pierre. He will serve on the Local Government Committee, as well.

 

Rep. Mathew Wollmann (District 8), a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, begins his first year in the legislature in 2015. Rep. Wollmann is currently a tech support specialist in the Madison Central School District. In addition to serving on the House Ed. Committee, Rep. Wollmann will serve on the Commerce and Energy and Health and Human Services Committees.

 

Rep. Larry Zikmund (District 14) may be new to Pierre as legislator, but previously served three S.D. Governors as the State Director of Adult Vocational and Technical Education. Rep. Zikmund, now retired, will serve on the Commerce and Energy Committee in addition to working on the House Ed. Committee.

 

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