Unofficial school board election results
The final unofficial results are in for school board races across the area.
According to the Montgomery County Auditor's Office, a total of 330 votes were cast in this latest election, roughly a 4.21 percent turnout of the 6,928 registered voters in the county.
County Auditor Stephanie Burke said that with only one contested race in the county, and past history, the low voter turnout was expected.
"This election has been a little quieter than last regular school election held in 2015 at the Gold Fair Building, where the Red Oak Community School District Board members are elected. In 2015, we were printing ballots in the Auditor’s office and making several trips to the precinct. The high voter turnout of 21% stemmed from a contested race. However, that school election was not the typical. Traditionally, voter turnout for school elections in Montgomery County are low. Not only in Montgomery County, but state wide. In 2013, voter turnout for Montgomery County was 5%," Burke advised.
Still, Burke said it's better for the county when higher voter turnouts occur for the local races.
"Low voter turnout is disappointing. Elections are costly and school elections are paid for by the school districts. One of the largest parts of your property tax bill is used to pay for school related programs and infrastructure. The School Board controls a huge amount of tax payer money. Casting your vote allows you to provide input into one of the most vital functions of society which is educating our students."
Burke said a change is coming within the next two years that may drive up those low turnout numbers.
"Starting in September, 2019, school board elections will be held in November on the same day city council and mayors are elected. This should increase voter turnout," commented Burke.
Results:
The race for the three open seats on the Red Oak School Board was uncontested, with Kathy Walker receiving 113 votes, Bret Blackman receiving 110 and Roger Carlson receiving 102 votes.
The only contested race in Montgomery County was in Stanton, with four candidates vying for three open seats. Travis Taylor was the top votegetter with 116 votes, followed by Brian Bates with 107. Amy Tibben was in third with 68 votes, and Mark Lindgren received 66 votes.
In the Villisca School Board race for two at-large seats, Terry Dalton received 42 votes and Leland Shipley received 40 votes.
Kevin Britten received 197 votes in the uncontested race for the Southwestern Community College District 5 board seat.
Voters also approved a public measure for SWCC, with 230 votes. The public measure is as follows:
Shall the Board of Directors of Southwestern Community College (Merged Area
XIV) in the counties of Adair, Adams, Taylor, Montgomery, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke, Union, Madison, Lucas, Pottawattamie, Wayne and Page, all in the State of Iowa, be authorized to continue to levy a tax not exceeding six (6) cents per thousand dollars of assessed value in any one year, as provided in Iowa Code Section 260C.28, for a period not to exceed ten (1 0) consecutive years beginning July 1, 2018 for the purpose of the purchase of instructional equipment?
In the Essex School Board race, only one candidate officially filed for the two open seats. Dustin Frank received 47 votes, and Tylee Johnson received 39 write-in votes.