Monroe School Board Votes
(Three open seats.)
Nikki Matley: 1,180
Cheryl McGuire: 980
Jim Plourde: 894
Brian Keith: 866
Michael Boehme: 860
Write-ins: 12
Total votes: 4,792
MONROE - Two new members of the Monroe school board will soon bring their own ideas to the table after beating out incumbents who had held the seats for years.
Challenger Nikki Matley secured the most votes of any local candidate in Tuesday's election with a total of 1,180. Matley, who served as treasurer for the Say "Yes" to Monroe Schools campaign, which favored passing a district referendum last fall, expressed shock at the outcome.
"I'm overwhelmed by all of the support," Matley said. "I was hopeful I would have a spot, and I was blown away. I'm grateful for the chance to serve."
Matley said she looks forward to learning when she begins her tenure on the board. A key aspect of her campaign was to help with the transition to a new superintendent following the departure of Cory Hirsbrunner after the end of the 2016-17 school year, and Matley said that has not changed.
Cheryl McGuire also took a spot on the board with 980 votes. Her goals are to help retain teachers and boost student performance. She was also surprised by the outcome.
"I had no idea what the results would be," McGuire said. "I have a lot to learn. I just want to thank everybody who supported me. I look forward to serving on the board and (serving) the community."
Jim Plourde was re-elected to his second term on the school board with 894 votes. He said he looks toward the next three years positively, and thanked a supportive community.
"I'm happy I have the opportunity to work as a part of the board," Plourde said. "It'll be kind of different, but that may be OK. Whenever somebody new comes on, they come with their own perspectives and ideas. It's not a bad thing."
Long-time incumbent Brian Keith expressed disappointment at the outcome but found solace in the work he had done with the Monroe school board while he served.
"I think over these 10 years we did a lot of good things," Keith said.
Keith added that those serving on the board now should remember they are held accountable by the community and the students above all else. He received 866 votes.
Michael Boehme, who said he was intending the next three years to be his final term, lost with a total of 860 votes after six years on the board.
Challenger Nikki Matley secured the most votes of any local candidate in Tuesday's election with a total of 1,180. Matley, who served as treasurer for the Say "Yes" to Monroe Schools campaign, which favored passing a district referendum last fall, expressed shock at the outcome.
"I'm overwhelmed by all of the support," Matley said. "I was hopeful I would have a spot, and I was blown away. I'm grateful for the chance to serve."
Matley said she looks forward to learning when she begins her tenure on the board. A key aspect of her campaign was to help with the transition to a new superintendent following the departure of Cory Hirsbrunner after the end of the 2016-17 school year, and Matley said that has not changed.
Cheryl McGuire also took a spot on the board with 980 votes. Her goals are to help retain teachers and boost student performance. She was also surprised by the outcome.
"I had no idea what the results would be," McGuire said. "I have a lot to learn. I just want to thank everybody who supported me. I look forward to serving on the board and (serving) the community."
Jim Plourde was re-elected to his second term on the school board with 894 votes. He said he looks toward the next three years positively, and thanked a supportive community.
"I'm happy I have the opportunity to work as a part of the board," Plourde said. "It'll be kind of different, but that may be OK. Whenever somebody new comes on, they come with their own perspectives and ideas. It's not a bad thing."
Long-time incumbent Brian Keith expressed disappointment at the outcome but found solace in the work he had done with the Monroe school board while he served.
"I think over these 10 years we did a lot of good things," Keith said.
Keith added that those serving on the board now should remember they are held accountable by the community and the students above all else. He received 866 votes.
Michael Boehme, who said he was intending the next three years to be his final term, lost with a total of 860 votes after six years on the board.