School election results tallied
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 years, 5 months AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | May 5, 2020 9:56 PM
Unofficial results were tallied Tuesday night from school trustee elections at Cayuse Prairie, Evergreen, Fair-Mont-Egan, Kalispell and Marion school districts. Election results for Bigfork and Columbia Falls school districts weren’t available by press time.
In Cayuse Prairie, incumbent Alicia Scofield received 311 votes, enough to retain a seat on the school board. Voters also elected Cole Skees, who received 245 votes. Both will serve three-year terms.
Candidate Meghan Roe received 229 votes.
Out of 1,649 ballots mailed to voters, 430 were returned. Eight ballots were spoiled.
In Evergreen, incumbents James Waggener and Jon Wilson will retain their seats on the school board with 340 and 329 votes, respectively. Both are for three-year terms.
Candidate Christopher Goodwin received 262 votes. There were seven write-in votes.
Out of 2,513 ballots mailed to voters, 517 ballots were received with 19 ballots spoiled due to a missing or suspect signature or marking error.
Incumbents Mark Siderius and Jennifer Stebbins will retain their seats on the Fair-Mont-Egan school board with 250 and 173 votes, respectively. Both will serve three-year terms.
Candidate Lara Zimmerman garnered 120 votes.
Of 917 ballots mailed to voters, 300 were returned. One ballot was spoiled.
For Kalispell Public Schools, Scott Warnell received 2,927 votes to win a three-year term representing the elementary district. With 2,335 votes, incumbent Diane Morton Stout will retain her seat on the board, also representing the elementary district for a three-year term.
Candidates Cole Dykhauzen received 1,498 votes and Kim Wilson, 1,205.
Of the 16,803 ballots mailed, 4,174 were returned and 38 ballots were spoiled.
Two trustees representing the high school district will be seated by acclamation due to the number of candidates equaling the number of open positions. Incumbent Jack Fallon, will represent Helena Flats and Evergreen school districts. Will Hiatt, will represent Smith Valley, West Valley, Pleasant Valley, Marion, and Olney-Bissell school districts. Both will serve three-year-terms.
In Marion incumbents Cherie Stobie, who garnered 141 votes, and Annie Westphal, who received 139 votes, will remain on the school board. Stobie will serve a three-year term on the board and Westphal, a one-year term.
Candidates Laurianne Stewart received 63 votes and Nicole Michelle Thiessen, 61.
Of 985 ballots mailed, 209 were returned.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].
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