MONROE - It was a battle of musical chairs of sorts when four candidates vied for three open spots on Monroe school board in the spring ballot Tuesday, but write-in candidate Teresa Keehn emerged successful as the newcomer while incumbents Amy Bazley and Mary Berger remained secure in their seats.
Bazley, Berger, Keehn and fellow write-in candidate Lisa Hendrickson were looking to be voted in with the highest number of votes. The contested race was similar to the April 2017 ballot, which had five candidates for only three spots. In that election, two newcomers received the highest number of votes while two incumbents were booted off the board.
This year, it was different.
According to unofficial results, Bazley received over 36 percent of the vote with 1,750 ballots cast in her favor. Berger had the second-highest votes with just over 1,700. Write-ins accounted for 28 percent of the vote.
Keehn had the highest votes of the two write-in candidates. She took 657 while Hendrickson received 613. The majority of the district totals were from the city of Monroe voters. City Clerk Arianna Voegeli said unofficial counts had Keehn with 410 votes and Hendrickson with 365 Tuesday night. County Clerk Mike Doyle received tally sheets from the other 10 municipalities within the district by 4 p.m. Wednesday and unofficial totals were released by the district Thursday morning.
Hendrickson, a former Monroe High School teacher, highlighted global learning as an important facet of her campaign. She also wanted to boost morale of teachers, who she said were dealing with a difficult climate after the passage of state law Act 10, and encourage professional development. Hendrickson taught Spanish for more than three decades in the district before retiring. She said the margin of just over 40 votes was a positive sign of the support from community members despite the fact that she was not victorious.
"It was initially a bit of a disappointment, but I'm glad I had gotten involved in the process," Hendrickson said. "I felt like there's really not going to be a loser here because either way there's someone on the board with experience and will work in the best interest of students."
Keehn said she felt similarly about the race.
"Honestly, I felt like Lisa, my fellow write-in candidate ... we were both qualified," Keehn said. "Which is a good problem to have."
Hendrickson said she will continue to follow board topics as she had been and hasn't ruled out trying again next spring.
A spot on the board was open because president Bob Erb decided not to seek re-election but fulfilled his term after 12 years on the board. He supported Bazley, Berger and Keehn in the election.
Keehn, a native of Monroe and former Howards Grove Elementary School principal, saw her work as co-chair on the campaign "Say 'YES!' to Monroe Schools" come to fruition during the 2016 election when a referendum for the district was approved. Keehn indicated she was running for office because schools shape the community economically and have a great impact on the success of future adults.
"I'm just excited," Keehn said. "It's important to take the time to learn and understand what's going on. I just think I should serve the best interest of students and if I'm capable and can use my talents this way, I'm excited to use my skills."
Berger, the board vice president in her sixth year, was running to improve student success as well. She noted financial stability is a top issue for the district and said community partnership was the goal to ensure continued, supportive funding.
"I certainly appreciate the community support to allow me to continue to serve on the Monroe school board," Berger said.
Bazley, board deputy clerk, agreed funding is a top issue but also noted that retaining qualified educators was an important goal of the district. School board members serve three-year terms, and all three will begin April 23.
Bazley, Berger, Keehn and fellow write-in candidate Lisa Hendrickson were looking to be voted in with the highest number of votes. The contested race was similar to the April 2017 ballot, which had five candidates for only three spots. In that election, two newcomers received the highest number of votes while two incumbents were booted off the board.
This year, it was different.
According to unofficial results, Bazley received over 36 percent of the vote with 1,750 ballots cast in her favor. Berger had the second-highest votes with just over 1,700. Write-ins accounted for 28 percent of the vote.
Keehn had the highest votes of the two write-in candidates. She took 657 while Hendrickson received 613. The majority of the district totals were from the city of Monroe voters. City Clerk Arianna Voegeli said unofficial counts had Keehn with 410 votes and Hendrickson with 365 Tuesday night. County Clerk Mike Doyle received tally sheets from the other 10 municipalities within the district by 4 p.m. Wednesday and unofficial totals were released by the district Thursday morning.
Hendrickson, a former Monroe High School teacher, highlighted global learning as an important facet of her campaign. She also wanted to boost morale of teachers, who she said were dealing with a difficult climate after the passage of state law Act 10, and encourage professional development. Hendrickson taught Spanish for more than three decades in the district before retiring. She said the margin of just over 40 votes was a positive sign of the support from community members despite the fact that she was not victorious.
"It was initially a bit of a disappointment, but I'm glad I had gotten involved in the process," Hendrickson said. "I felt like there's really not going to be a loser here because either way there's someone on the board with experience and will work in the best interest of students."
Keehn said she felt similarly about the race.
"Honestly, I felt like Lisa, my fellow write-in candidate ... we were both qualified," Keehn said. "Which is a good problem to have."
Hendrickson said she will continue to follow board topics as she had been and hasn't ruled out trying again next spring.
A spot on the board was open because president Bob Erb decided not to seek re-election but fulfilled his term after 12 years on the board. He supported Bazley, Berger and Keehn in the election.
Keehn, a native of Monroe and former Howards Grove Elementary School principal, saw her work as co-chair on the campaign "Say 'YES!' to Monroe Schools" come to fruition during the 2016 election when a referendum for the district was approved. Keehn indicated she was running for office because schools shape the community economically and have a great impact on the success of future adults.
"I'm just excited," Keehn said. "It's important to take the time to learn and understand what's going on. I just think I should serve the best interest of students and if I'm capable and can use my talents this way, I'm excited to use my skills."
Berger, the board vice president in her sixth year, was running to improve student success as well. She noted financial stability is a top issue for the district and said community partnership was the goal to ensure continued, supportive funding.
"I certainly appreciate the community support to allow me to continue to serve on the Monroe school board," Berger said.
Bazley, board deputy clerk, agreed funding is a top issue but also noted that retaining qualified educators was an important goal of the district. School board members serve three-year terms, and all three will begin April 23.